Energy Efficiency

One of the great hopes of the second digital revolution is that "the internet of things" will help households save energy. But research from Australia and the UK is revealing ways the IOT might also increase energy demand.

A small revolution is taking part in the famous little surfer town Byron Bay..

Melbourne electricity retailer Sumo Power says aims to combat "bill shock" with launch of fixed price offer for unlimited electricity use over 12 month period.

Australia's Redback Technologies says its new generation smart investors can dramatically improve self consumption and payback times for rooftop solar, and optimise use of battery storage systems.

A demand-response trial conducted by Australian utility United Energy achieved a 30% reduction in peak load electricity consumption.

Federal Opposition's newly launched Climate Action Plan will put nearly $100m towards developing a Community Power Network and a series of "regional hubs,” as well as an annual competitive grants program.

Streetlights in the centre of Adelaide are being fitted with smart technology as it moves closer to its goal of becoming the world’s first carbon neutral city.

The University of Melbourne has launched a tender for the installation of 1.8MW of rooftop solar systems across its Victorian campuses, as part of a $9.1m program of works financed by the CEFC.

A green village with minimum 7.5 star energy efficiency ratings is proving near zero carbon communities are not only achievable but can also save residents money.

Our family is now off the gas grid. Everything in our house now runs off electricity including the oven, the solar hot water booster, the lawnmower and the barbeque.

A group of 16 local government councils from southern and west Sydney have called for expressions of interest to provide community energy services including home energy audits, product vetting and discounts.

Plans to build a completely new, completely sustainable and off-grid community in Victoria's Gippsland Lakes district are gathering momentum. But can they win the approval of state government?

I am convinced that our energy world is radically changing thanks to technologies such as solar, horizontal drilling, demand response, LEDs, batteries as well as exciting new business models

Whether you are on or off the grid, it is important to minimise peak electricity demand.

Low energy users hit by soaring network costs, with one retiree charged 24c/kWh for grid access. Another sign of networks gouging consumers with advent of battery storage.

Canadian documentary "Life Off Grid" asks more than 200 people why they decided to quit the grid. We talked to film producer Phillip Vannini about the types of "off-gridder" and why he now thinks going off grid is not the answer to the world's energy problems.