Real-world lessons from Australia’s first community-led electrification pilot
The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot has successfully completed the initial phase, marking a major achievement for the community. Sixty households have taken part and upgraded their homes to smart, efficient electric appliances.
Pilot timeline
Real-world research in action
With the help of feedback from the first 60 participants and tradies in the pilot, we have learnt a huge amount. A new report assessing the opportunities and challenges from the initial phase of the pilot will help deliver the remaining 440 homes, to reach the target of 500.
These findings will be shared with industry and political leaders to help make the electrification process smoother and easier for all Australians.
Learn more about the research objectives of the pilot.
What we learnt from the first 60 homes
The initial phase saw 60 diverse households — renters and owners, low to high income, houses, duplexes, and apartments — upgrade to smart, efficient electric appliances. Some were starting their electrification journey, others added smart energy devices to already all-electric homes.
In the initial phase, a range of efficient, electric appliances were installed in 60 households within the 2515 postcode.
Applications from renters and landlords are a fraction of the demographic’s actual presence in the area however, reflecting the split incentives for tenants and landlords to upgrade to efficient homes more broadly.
“We need more rental properties to participate to help their tenants reduce their cost of living, as well as learning from them for the research component of the pilot. ”
Early Insights
Some early findings around household motivations, household needs and information, installers and upgrade costs include:
Framing electrification as a collective, local mission generates momentum.
Participants value independent advice and guidance.
Induction cooktops are not always straightforward and costs vary.
Tradies are slowly diversifying their business models to offer electrification.
Smart energy devices are cheaper when installed at the same time as other upgrades.
Upfront costs remain a barrier but education about cheaper running costs can help.
As we go bigger, we’ll get better too
Reflecting on these early insights, we have made various improvements to make things easier for the 440 homes to come.
“This is the first electrification research pilot of this scale and complexity and we are eager for participant feedback so we can continue to improve.”
Helping people understand costs
The upfront costs for some upgrades are a barrier. However, we know that in the long run, the electric appliances are significantly cheaper due to much lower running costs. We are developing clear, simple information about lifetime costs and the environmental and health benefits of appliances can help people make the right decision for them.
Independent, local advice
We are increasing the number of local tradies involved in the pilot and investing in more local, independent support people staff to help participants through the process.
Consumer-focused information
A new and improved online platform will also allow participants to compare quotes from different installers.
Triaging cooktops, improving choice, and identifying new products
For the Main Rollout, Electrify 2515 will trial a triage process to identify potential challenges for cooktop upgrades. Participants will also be able to buy directly from Harvey Norman and visit their showroom to choose their cooktop. There are also new products with lower power draw which can reduce the need to run new cables in some cases.
Smart, electric neighbourhood
We are working with 2515 residents and volunteers to raise local awareness and knowledge by putting up signs on their front gates, holding community info events, inviting neighbours over to see their electric home in action, and delivering flyers.
Find out more about the research objectives of the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot here.
