Latest news with #Ausgrid
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major change to how you run your car that could save Aussie drivers $250 a day
Electricity providers say vehicle-to-grid (V2G) connections will revolutionise how Australia produces and uses energy, eventually allowing electric vehicles (EVs) to power homes during outages and even earn their owners extra income. Now, those capabilities are moving closer to the mainstream, as infrastructure begins to catch up with innovation. In recent months, EV owners have shared how they've used V2G and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) set-ups — both of which involve the two-way flow of energy between EVs, homes and the grid. Early adopters have successfully powered not only appliances and other vehicles but, in one case, even an entire school's server room. This month, Ausgrid — Australia's largest electricity distributor, serving more than four million people across New South Wales — announced it had successfully connected a working V2G system to its network at a depot in Artarmon, Sydney. It's a major milestone proving the technology is now safe and viable at the distributor level, and while it doesn't mean every customer can use it immediately, it confirms V2G is a live, proven option — and Ausgrid is now working to prepare its broader network for future rollout. Speaking to Yahoo News, Nick Black, Head of Ausgrid's EVC and Infrastructure Development, said several suppliers will have V2G chargers available in the Australian market over the coming months, with competition expected to increase considerably. "Any Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved equipment may be installed by customers using an accredited service provider (ASP)," he said. "For a customer who is able to install a charger at home, the added V2G capability can give them an additional revenue stream and is another reason to purchase an electric vehicle." Right now, only certain chargers can be used in Ausgrid's network — either ones that are officially certified by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), or ones that meet Australian safety standards and have been approved by Ausgrid. Each energy distributor is different in what they allow If a charger meets those rules and the installer is properly qualified, then it can be safely set up. "Eventually, V2G equipment will be CEC approved and then available for any customer to apply," he said. "Ausgrid can approve devices that have an AS1477.2 [charger] for connection to its network." Black said there was serious financial potential when it comes to V2G for everyday Australians. He explained that Australia already has a strong retail energy market, which means there are real money-saving opportunities for people who use V2G smartly. For example, if a customer charges their EV during the day using cheap solar power and then discharges that energy back to the grid during the expensive evening peak, they can earn money or reduce their power bills. Amber Electric recently claimed a customer earned $255 in a single day alone in June, exporting power at peak prices, charging when electricity was cheap. "That $255.08 was earned by a single EV at one location, in one evening, using the StarCharge charger," an Amber spokesperson told Yahoo. Ross De Rango, Head of Energy and Infrastructure at the Australian Electric Vehicle Council, agreed the tech could be transformative. He said while useful, V2G must be used responsibly and only after drivers research how to do it safely first. "The amount of battery storage that will ultimately exist in the batteries in our cars will dwarf all other forms of grid-connected storage," he said. "Unlocking V2G will drive down energy costs for everyone (not just the EV drivers), enable us to close coal and gas-fired power stations sooner, and make our energy system more reliable and resilient." BYD photo highlights 'revolutionary' EV feature changing Aussie habits EV driver's surprising use of car set to 'revolutionise' common power problem Warning against EV owners' 'revolutionary' solution to battery concern But, one of the country's leading mechanics warned of just how much is at stake if a person doesn't know what they're doing. Canberra-based mechanic Saffy Sgroi said "safety is the number one concern" when it comes to V2V charging. "We're talking about working with a huge battery here," she said. "You've got 400 kilowatts of battery running — they can fry you. If you do the wrong thing, you're gone." Addressing potential safety concerns when it comes to the emerging tech, Black said Ausgrid has focused intensely on the installation process to ensure the "V2G charger does not present a hazard" to workers or customers. "Manufacturers have been testing to ensure that they are confident in using V2G for specific EV models," he said. "Ultimately, the vehicle's battery management system will protect the battery, and the power levels for V2G are much more gentle than driving a vehicle or fast charging it," he said. Head of Customer Connections at Ausgrid, Fatima Bazzi, branded the announcement a "game-changer". "We are excited to see how this technology will enable our customers to take a more active role in the energy ecosystem, turning their electric vehicles into a valuable resource that can support their homes and earn them income," she said. "This means we can better manage network stress, improve overall grid performance, and potentially defer costly infrastructure upgrades, ultimately benefiting all our customers." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Game changer': Your electric vehicle can now power your home and the grid
The rest of Australia will soon be able to do what farming couple Francis and Vivica Clarke have been doing for more than a year – selling the energy stored in their electric vehicle back to the grid. The Clarkes, who live on a property near Tarago, south of Goulburn, NSW, and bought a Nissan Leaf in April 2023, were part of a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology trial through their electricity network Essential Energy and retailer Amber Electric. They've made a killing. When two units went out at Eraring power station in NSW in May last year, they made $570 in two hours. When a similar event happened at Yallourn in Victoria last month, they made $370. Having signed up to a pilot program, the couple are among the first in Australia to profit from what is known as vehicle-to-grid, or bidirectional charging, allowing people to store power in their car batteries during the day when the sun is out and power is cheap, and sell it back during the evening peak. Francis Clarke, 85, has heard criticism that this is something only the wealthy can afford, but he argues that he is actually making power cheaper for other people. 'Everybody turns around and says, 'Oh you rich toffs – you can afford all these things and that's going to make our power more expensive,'' Clarke says. 'In fact it's not, because with me supplying power to the grid when it's in need, I'm supplying power to my neighbours. It doesn't require any poles and wires to be built, nor any high-tension leads to come in from God knows where. My power is being used locally, and the community doesn't have to pay for any of the storage that I'm paying for myself.' Electricity distributors all over Australia have been running pilot studies for V2G charging around the country for about two years now. Standards Australia ticked off on the standard last year, and now electricity distributors such as Ausgrid are starting to green-light the capacity across their networks. The technology is branded as a game changer for the energy revolution because it bolsters the shift from the antiquated notion of 'baseload power' to a modern distributed network. This in turn hastens the demise of the ageing coal-fired power fleet.
The Australian
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Australian
Sydney's Downing Centre court likely to remain closed until late-2025
One of Australia's busiest courthouses will remain closed until 'at least late-2025' despite chaotic scenes after flooding smashed critical infrastructure. Sydney's Downing Centre was shuttered on June 17 after a Sydney Water main burst in the CBD, flooding the courthouse and damaging an Ausgrid substation. Electrical engineers and other experts were brought in by the government to assess the damage to the Local and District courthouse building on Castlereagh St. People were seen queuing outside the Downing Centre courthouse in Sydney. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire The neighbouring JMT courthouse has been used as a temporary court. Picture: Christian Gilles / NewsWire On Wednesday, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice revealed repairs were forecast by 'external agencies' to extend into at least late-2025. Experts identified two critical pieces – an electrical transformer and switchboard – would need to be replaced due to damage caused by the flooding. The NSW DCJ was working to determine whether replacements pieces could be expedited, with the building still cut off from the substation. The Ausgrid station powers the busy courthouse and is needed for it to function, with the NSW DCJ unsure when power will be restored. It comes after a burst water main flooded the Downing Centre. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard Large queues were seen winding their way around the block on Wednesday from the entrance of the neighbouring John Madison Tower court. Staff are working to minimise delays to proceedings so they might 'proceed wherever possible', including relocating matters to multiple nearby courts. Work was also underway to bring forward upgrades to the Downing Centre courthouse, including improvements to public spaces and courtrooms.
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
Sydney's Downing Centre court likely to remain closed until late-2025
One of Australia's busiest courthouses will remain closed until 'at least late-2025' despite chaotic scenes after flooding smashed critical infrastructure. Sydney's Downing Centre was shuttered on June 17 after a Sydney Water main burst in the CBD, flooding the courthouse and damaging an Ausgrid substation. Electrical engineers and other experts were brought in by the government to assess the damage to the Local and District courthouse building on Castlereagh St. On Wednesday, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice revealed repairs were forecast by 'external agencies' to extend into at least late-2025. Experts identified two critical pieces – an electrical transformer and switchboard – would need to be replaced due to damage caused by the flooding. The NSW DCJ was working to determine whether replacements pieces could be expedited, with the building still cut off from the substation. The Ausgrid station powers the busy courthouse and is needed for it to function, with the NSW DCJ unsure when power will be restored. Large queues were seen winding their way around the block on Wednesday from the entrance of the neighbouring John Madison Tower court. Staff are working to minimise delays to proceedings so they might 'proceed wherever possible', including relocating matters to multiple nearby courts. Work was also underway to bring forward upgrades to the Downing Centre courthouse, including improvements to public spaces and courtrooms.
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Aussie car owners offered lucrative side hustle
Australian EV owners will now be able to power their homes using their cars and sell energy back into the grid following a groundbreaking initiative. The move marks a major step forward for renewable energy, allowing EV owners with the right car and hardware to power their homes during a blackout, absorb excess solar energy to pump back into the house during periods of peak demand, and sell energy back to power providers. Customers with Ausgrid — the largest distributor in New South Wales, covering more than 1.7 million homes across Sydney, The Central Coast, and the Hunter Valley — can now apply to have vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric car hardware installed. The two-way flow of energy transforms EVs into mobile batteries, capable of supporting the network during peak times and providing a new level of energy independence for customers. Group Executive of Distributed Services, Rob Amphlett Lewis, said tapping into V2G is an exciting milestone that unlocks new opportunities for customers and the grid. 'We've done the foundational work to understand how to integrate this V2G technology safely and effectively, and our customers can now begin to benefit,' he said. 'Customers can use their EV batteries to sell excess energy back to the grid during peak times and recharge at off-peak rates, creating an additional source of income.' Ausgrid joins SA Power Networks in South Australia and Essential Energy in NSW in offering support for V2G. Bi-directional charging has been technically possible for years; however, there are only available in cars like the Nissan Leaf EV and Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in hybrid. However, more car models are expected to unlock this capability with the correct wallbox and software. While Ausgrid, SA Power Networks, and Essential Energy now support V2G, there are still several other distributors in Australia that have yet to offer the technology. In November 2024, Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, announced new standards for V2G and vehicle-to-home (V2H) at the Sydney International EV AutoShow. At the time, he said this technology would be made available by the end of that calendar year. The sluggish rollout is dependent on approvals for cables, permission from carmakers and agreements with individual companies. Regulatory red tape had previously prevented owners from taking advantage of the tech. However, Standards Australia has now approved regulations for vehicle-to-grid charging, allowing electric vehicle owners to power their homes and feed energy back into the grid. Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections, further highlighted the significance of this development, saying, 'V2G allows EVs to discharge energy back to the grid during periods of high demand, alleviating stress on the network and improving overall grid performance.' 'This means we can better manage network stress, improve overall grid performance, and potentially defer costly infrastructure upgrades, ultimately benefiting all our customers.'
