As Australia moves toward an all-electric future, a key question looms: how can we meet the surge in electricity demand that will be needed when we all drive electric vehicles, heat our hot water with electricity, cook with induction stoves and heat and cool our homes with reverse cycle air-conditioners?
New modelling from the Australian National University, using the ACT as a case study, suggests the answer lies not in building more infrastructure but in shifting when we use power.
By charging electric vehicles and heating water during the day, when solar energy is plentiful and network demand is low, we could electrify our homes and transport without overloading the system.
Dr Bjorn Sturmberg is a senior energy researcher and lead researcher on the ANU study.
Anne Delaney is the host of the SwitchedOn podcast and our Electrification Editor, She has had a successful career in journalism (the ABC and SBS), as a documentary film maker, and as an artist and sculptor.
