500 energy masters.
500 energy-smart homes.
One sustainable future.
The offer
Energy Masters is designed to empower South Australian homes with smart appliances, tools and know-how to make it easier for them to take control of their energy use, save on their bills and reduce their carbon footprint.
In return, they agree to participate in research that will strengthen South Australia's position in the global energy transition. This research is expected to demonstrate a simple reliable and cost-effective way for all South Australians to become masters of their energy use.
Households selected to join Energy Masters access:
Every Energy Masters household receives a free, fully installed, Clipsal Cortex home energy management system (HEMS) and free access to the Clipsal Cortex app, tailored for Energy Masters households, to help maximise the flexibility and minimise the running costs of their home’s electricity.
HEMS is a combination of hardware and software that can monitor and display household energy usage, and optimise the operation and running costs of different energy-smart items around the home.
The HEMS software consists of smart programming and algorithms that can read, monitor, and optimise electrical items automatically, or when guided by settings the household chooses. The software typically includes an interactive interface to help the household learn and understand their energy through a mobile application or website.
The Clipsal Cortex HEMS is connected to their existing or subsidised electric hot water system and split system air conditioning unit at minimum, and any of the other items listed below they may have in their home:
- Rooftop solar system
- Home battery storage
- Smart electric vehicle (EV) charger
Households always have the ability to choose which items their HEMS is connected to and how automatically or manually it operates.
Subsidies are being provided for heat pump hot water systems, smart air-conditioning units, and smart electric vehicle chargers.
In most cases the subsidies are expected to cover between 50 and 90 percent of the cost of eligible appliances, including installation.
Every household also receives a free Clipsal Cortex home energy management system to maximise the flexibility and minimise the running costs of their electrical appliances.
The value of subsidies a household receives depends on the number and type of appliances they choose to have installed, and whether they qualify as a Priority household.
Every household selected to join Energy Masters is able to see and understand the subsidies they received and any out-of-pocket costs through a tailored quote from installation partner MAC Trade Services before they agree to join.
Energy Masters households get access to energy plans designed to reward flexible energy use, from partner electricity retailers EnergyAustralia and Amber.
The Clipsal Cortex home energy management system integrate these offers with their appliances to help them manage their electricity use flexibly, and in ways that could benefit them, their bills, and the environment.
It is not mandatory to be an EnergyAustralia or Amber customer to participate in Energy Masters. Households can participate whilst being a customer of any electricity retailer.
The Clipsal Cortex app, tailored for Energy Masters households, helps households make the most of their new appliances and newfound energy flexibility.
Through the app, households can see how much they are saving, learn the cost of running key appliances, control appliances with a simple click, and maximise their savings through insights on how much they spend on electricity and how they can save more.
Households also have the option to access low-cost finance, if they wish, to pay for any balance of works.
Powered by project partner Plenti, this finance option is offered at a lower interest rate than traditional loans thanks to funding from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Visit the Plenti website to learn more about the Energy Masters loan rates and terms.
Obtaining finance through Plenti or any other financier is not mandatory. Households can choose to pay for any out-of-pocket costs in the way that suits them.
Credit subject to approval. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Credit provided by Plenti Finance Pty Limited ACN 636 759 861 (supported by its servicer, Plenti RE Limited ACN 166 646 635) or Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited ACN 000 341 533, Australian Credit Licence number 392673 (as custodian). Plenti RE Limited holds Australian Financial Services Licence number 449176, Australian Credit Licence number 449176.
A minimum of 10 percent of places in Energy Masters are set aside for Priority households, with higher subsidies also available for these households.
Through Energy Masters, Priority households can access 2.6 kW smart air-conditioning units from $199 and 270L heat pump hot water systems from $1,015, after subsidies.
Note: Prices shown are the lowest available. Price subject to subsidies, Project terms and conditions and MAC Trade Services Terms and Conditions. Subsidies may vary depending on location, size of appliance, size assessment, installation complexity, Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) eligibility and Energy Masters subsidy availability.
Priority households are households that meet any of the following criteria:
- Hold a Commonwealth Government pensioner concession card
- Hold a TPI Gold Repatriation Health Card
- Hold a War Widows Gold Repatriation Health Card
- Hold a Gold Repatriation Health Card (EDA)
- Hold a Health Care Card (including a Low-Income Health Care Card)
- Receive the South Australian government energy bill concession
- Be actively participating in an energy retailer hardship program
- Be actively participating in an energy retailer’s payment plan (offered and applied as per section 50 of the National Energy Retail Law)
- Have received a referral from a registered member of the South Australian Financial Counsellors Association (SAFCA)
The benefits
Energy Masters is designed to research the benefits that flexible household energy use can have for the homeowner, other energy users, and the grid.
For participating households, the expectation is that they will benefit from lower energy bills, more knowledge and control of their household energy needs and usage, and a lower household carbon footprint.
These ongoing benefits are on top of the upfront subsidies they receive to install energy-smart appliances and a Clipsal Cortex home energy management system.
The savings that a participating household may achieve on their energy bills will depend on a range of factors. This includes how much energy they use and when they use it, how many and which appliances they upgrade, how flexible they can, or are happy to, be with their energy use, how much they choose to make use of automation features and energy usage recommendations, and whether they participate with a partner energy retailer.
Whilst there is an expectation of lower energy bills through Energy Masters, there is no guarantee.
The data and research collected through Energy Masters is expected to demonstrate a simple, reliable and cost-effective way for all South Australians to become masters of their energy use.
Over time this will help to enable more renewable energy in our homes, better options for households, lower costs for consumers, a ready and skilled workforce, and settings and standards that elevate the benefits and avoid the pitfalls.
Through the research in Energy Masters, we expect that this pilot will help South Australia reach its target of being 100 percent net renewable by 2027 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Higher levels of energy mastery and energy-smart behaviour could also help all energy users through better use of our grid, allowing more electricity usage through our existing poles and wires rather than building new infrastructure. This has the potential to reduce energy costs for all South Australians.
The support
What we’re doing is no small feat. It’s world-leading and is expected to demonstrate how we can achieve a simple, reliable and cost-effective way for all South Australians to become masters of their energy use.
The 500 households critical to the success of the project and its research will be supported by experts throughout their Energy Masters journey.
Project partners in Energy Masters are the Government of South Australia, SA Power Networks, RACE for 2030, MAC Trade Services, Clipsal Cortex (part of Schneider Electric), Plenti, Amber and EnergyAustralia. The project has also received funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
All project partners have been selected for their experience and knowledge in energy.
The why
South Australia’s electricity grid has already achieved a profound shift, transitioning from 1 percent to 74 percent renewable energy generation in just over 16 years. This transition is continuing at pace and South Australia is on track to be net 100 percent renewable by 2027.
South Australians are also undertaking their own shift to renewables and decarbonised energy. Over 345,000 homes already have rooftop solar systems, more than 45,000 have home batteries, and forecasts suggest up to 1 million electric vehicles will be on South Australian roads by 2040.
As we continue to decarbonise, without intervention or smart action, the peak load on South Australia’s electricity distribution network could double. By helping South Australians become masters of their energy use and be more flexible with their energy use, in ways that work for them and could lower their bills, we can show how energy-smart homes could help to:
- avoid or delay electricity network build costs
- reduce the need and costs for new grid scale generation and storage
- improve electricity market efficiency
- improve the use of rooftop solar energy direct in the home
- reduce energy bills and emissions for everyone.
