Latest news with #EnergyEfficiencyCouncil
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Australians could cut power bills by 90% if they made their homes more energy efficient, report finds
The debate over where Australia gets its energy from has played out like a 'comic-book death battle between coal and renewables' in recent years, according to Luke Menzel, the chief executive officer of the Energy Efficiency Council. Discussions over coal versus renewables, the role of gas and the speed of infrastructure rollout to bring renewables online had been 'important', Menzel said. 'But there's a whole other conversation we need to be having. And that's about how we are using energy.' Menzel and other energy experts say political noise has often overshadowed the role of energy efficiency in Australian homes and how to cut rising household bills. The latest of several reports to make the case for boosting energy efficiency is from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). IEEFA found Australian households could cut their power bills by more than 90% by implementing a range of energy efficiency measures. Released on Wednesday, the report calculated potential savings of between 82% and 94% if households installed solar and a home battery and used efficient appliances – such as heat pumps, air-conditioners and electric induction cooktops. The report said with federal and state government policies to incentivise home energy efficiency, a goal of halving household energy bills in a decade is achievable. 'We've seen over the last few years that energy prices and cost of living has become an emerging concern, but the debate has been around one-off rebates or debates on how to generate power,' Jay Gordon, an energy finance analyst at IEEFA, said. 'That's important, but it misses the point when you see these 80% to 90% cost reductions.' Last month, energy experts congratulated the Victorian government for a suite of measures to improve home energy efficiency, including a ban on gas heating and hot water systems in new homes from January 2027. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The Albanese government's new $2.3bn home battery program, which officially kicked off last week, provided discounts of about 30% on batteries. Wednesday's IEEFA report projected that households could make savings of between 82% and 94% if they: Installed an 8kw rooftop solar system and a 10kwh battery Used reverse-cycle air conditioning instead of gas or electric heaters Swapped gas or old electric water heaters for heat pumps Replaced gas cooktops with electric induction The IEEFA modelling did not take into account the further gains that Gordon said can be made by improving the thermal efficiency of homes: how well they can hold heat in the winter or keep heat out in summer. More thermally efficient homes give households the option to use more daytime energy from solar to either pre-heat or pre-cool their homes ahead of the evening peak. Menzel said though technologies such as heat pumps and solar are well established, policies to encourage their take-up are a challenge. 'With electrification and efficiency you're talking about a much broader range of product types and interventions that look different in different parts of the economy,' he said. 'It's a heavier lift, but it's where we need to go.' Australian homes use about a quarter of the country's electricity, and account for more than 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting gas use in homes could also ease the supply pressures in the east coast, Menzel said. Two reports in 2023 and 2024 from the independent Climateworks Centre, based at Monash University, have made the case for a 'renovation wave' across homes in Australia, especially those built before 2003 when minimum energy efficiency rules were introduced to national building codes. Steps such as upgrading windows, adding insulation to walls, ceilings and floors, and upgrading appliances could save up to $2,200 a year on a household bill, the centre's research has claimed. Dr Gill Armstrong, the centre's buildings program manager, said: 'They're tried and tested. It's low-hanging fruit, but it's also the one area where we can move fast for households to get the benefit of lower bills. 'There's a growing awareness that homes can be improved quite quickly. It's a no-brainer for the federal government.'
The Advertiser
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Home gas appliance replacement bans eased, pushed back
Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators. Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators. Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators. Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators.
Perth Now
24-06-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Home gas appliance replacement bans eased, pushed back
Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Revenue, Outlook, Value, Industry, Forecast, Analysis, Growth, Share, Companies, Size & Trends 2021-2030
The Australian Variable Speed Drive (VSD) market is set to grow, driven by increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions in sectors like manufacturing, mining, and HVAC from 2021 to 2024. Government initiatives focusing on sustainability, such as support from ARENA and the Energy Efficiency Council, propelled the adoption of VSDs, resulting in a 5.2% CAGR revenue growth projected from 2025 to 2031. Key segments like low-voltage and medium-voltage VSDs are anticipated to lead the market, supported by the growing emphasis on automation and net-zero emissions goals. Dublin, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Australia VSD Market | Revenue, Outlook, Value, Industry, Forecast, Analysis, Growth, Share, Companies, Size & Trends: Market Forecast By Type, By Voltage, By End-UserAnd Competitive Landscape" has been added to offering. Research indicates that the Australian VSD market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% in revenue and 3.7% in volume from 2025 to 2031. The Australian Variable Speed Drives (VSD) market has witnessed substantial growth from 2021 to 2024, driven largely by the increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions and significant advancements in industrial automation across key sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and HVAC. Government initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability, including programs implemented by the Energy Efficiency Council and funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), have effectively facilitated the adoption of VSD technologies. This growth trajectory is further supported by Australia's robust push for improved energy management practices and a concerted effort to minimize carbon emissions during this period. The forecast is bolstered by several factors, including increased industrial automation, rising demand for energy-efficient technologies, and sustained government support targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. With a goal of reaching 43% emissions reduction relative to 2005 levels, and aiming for an 82% national renewable electricity target by 2030, Australia is incentivizing industries to adopt energy-efficient solutions like VSDs extensively. ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) are also actively funding energy-efficient projects, providing significant support for motor systems and automation upgrades. The Australian Government's May 2024 Federal Budget highlights a substantial allocation of $22.7 billion to support areas including renewable hydrogen, critical minerals processing, green metals, low-carbon liquid fuels, and cleaner manufacturing. The mining sector, contributing a substantial 13.6% to Australia's GDP in 2023, is increasingly adopting VSDs to enhance energy efficiency and operational effectiveness. Concurrently, construction and manufacturing industries are projected to drive demand for VSD technologies, favoring precise motor speed control in applications such as HVAC, water treatment, and conveyor systems. Market Segmentation by Type: By 2031, DC drives are expected to lead in revenue growth due to their efficiency and applications requiring precise speed and torque control, such as industrial machinery. The AC drive segment maintains the largest market share, driven by advances in energy efficiency and seamless integration into renewable energy systems, underlining their importance in highly automated industries. Market Segmentation by Voltage: Low-voltage VSDs are projected to dominate in revenue and volume due to their affordability and versatility across smaller industries and residential applications, where they enhance energy efficiency significantly. Meanwhile, medium-voltage VSDs are expected to witness the highest growth rates, buoyed by increasing adoption in large-scale industrial applications. Market Segmentation by End-User: The industrial segment is poised to lead in revenue and growth by 2031, driven by automation and sustainability initiatives across manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure sectors. The automotive segment ranks second in growth, spurred by rising EV production and adoption in Australia. Market Segmentation by Application: The HVAC sector is predicted to exhibit the highest revenue growth rate, underpinned by the demand for energy-efficient, smart building technologies and stringent environmental regulations. Conversely, compressors are set to account for the largest revenue share, integral to processes in manufacturing, food & beverage, and oil & gas industries. Key Attractiveness of the Report: 10-Year Market Numbers. Historical Data from 2021 to 2024, with a Base Year of 2024. Forecast extending to 2031. Key Performance Indicators impacting the market. Major upcoming developments and projects. Key Highlights: Australia VSD Market Overview and Outlook. Forecast for Market Revenues and Volume from 2021 to 2031. Detailed analyses by Type, Voltage, End-User, and Application. Market Drivers and Restraints, Industry Life Cycle, and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Competitive Benchmarking and Company Profiles. Strategic Recommendations. Company Profiles Schneider Electric SE ABB Ltd Siemens AG Danfoss A/S WEG S.A. Hitachi Ltd. Omron Corporation Toshiba International Corporation Pty Ltd. Eaton Corporation plc Invertek Drives Ltd. Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd Darwin Motion PTY. LTD For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Lessons from Australia's energy transition
Australia is going through a massive energy transition as a system dominated by coal-powered stations is replaced by renewable energy alternatives. And this week the country's centre right opposition parties split from 80 years of operating as a single party, with its nuclear plan to put reactors in seven cities cited as one of the key reasons for the split. Elected Labour is proposing to double renewable energy to be 82 per cent of the country's electricity generation by 2030 - which is about where New Zealand is at today. A renewable energy underwrite scheme that started in New South Wales and has since been adopted for the wider Commonwealth Government - is having success with renewables hitting a record 46 percent of electricity generation in December. So, what does New Zealand have to learn from the lucky country? Luke Menzel is chief executive of the Australian Energy Efficiency Council and has just returned from a trip to New Zealand where he was a speaker at the Green Building Council's annual Housing Summit. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
