A new analysis from the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) outlines a suite of infrastructure and policy measures to support Australia’s energy transition and improve grid performance through smarter demand management.
The Power to the People explainer, released this week, presents a roadmap for optimising energy infrastructure by leveraging emerging technologies and targeted regulatory settings.
It identifies immediate opportunities for government and industry to improve grid efficiency, increase consumer energy control, and reduce peak demand pressures.
The report highlights six key infrastructure and policy enablers:
- Improved interoperability standards to streamline communication between household energy devices
- Grid-friendly electric vehicle (EV) charging systems to minimise network disruption
- Residential energy storage to support local reliability and reduce demand on central systems
- Virtual power plants (VPPs) that aggregate solar and battery systems for grid support and demand response
- Variable pricing incentives to encourage power use during off-peak times
- Home energy management systems using smart, internet-connected devices to optimise energy use
ATSE argues that these levers, if implemented with the right incentives, would enable consumers to reduce their energy consumption and shift usage patterns – relieving pressure on the grid and improving overall system performance.
“The cost of energy is front of mind for households around the country right now,” said ATSE CEO Kylie Walker.
“But the growth of renewable energy, storage and energy management technologies means we have new solutions at our fingertips that can help reduce bills and create a more robust electricity system.”
By integrating these solutions at scale, the report suggests households and businesses could unlock significant infrastructure benefits, including reduced reliance on centralised generation, enhanced load flexibility, and increased resilience during high-demand events.
“We have the technologies and capability to dramatically improve the way we use energy,” Walker said.
“With the right policy incentives in place, individuals and business owners will save money and we will all benefit from a more robust grid.”
The report emphasises the importance of coordinated action across government, industry and the energy sector to make best use of existing and emerging infrastructure capabilities.
