Moving Soon? Get Your Energy Connection Sorted

Energy powers our daily lives—from keeping the lights on to running appliances and heating our homes. It’s produced differently and delivered through networks that bring electricity and gas to our homes. The (AEMO) Australian Energy Market Operator manages electricity and gas markets across Australia to ensure that energy supply is reliable and secure for everyone. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) was created on July 1, 2009, by the Council of Australian Governments — it is responsible for overseeing distribution and transmission systems in eastern Australia and market facilitation roles. They have also been active in the Western Australia gas market since 2015. 

Think of AEMO as a stock market for trading energy (along with ancillary services). A key part of its role is to facilitate the trading process, which means moving data between all parties, from energy generators to retailers. 

It operates AEMO in the electricity and gas markets with a market mechanism similar to any stock exchange where energy and ancillary services are traded. One of the things they do is control all those trades to make sure everyone gets the information and data they need, from power generated down to retailers and arranging for gas suppliers to get their products delivered.

In Australia, electricity comes from a few main sources:

• Coal and Gas: These have been the backbone of electricity generation for years. By burning coal and gas, steam is produced, which turns turbines to generate electricity. While reliable, these sources also release emissions that are harmful to the environment.
• Renewable Energy: We increasingly turn to renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. Solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, wind turbines capture energy from the wind, and hydropower uses flowing water. These sources are cleaner and help reduce our carbon footprint.
• Other Sources: We also get some energy from smaller sources like biomass (using organic materials), geothermal (using heat from the Earth), and wave energy.

How is Energy Distributed?

Once electricity is generated, it needs to get to homes and businesses. This happens through a network of power lines and transformers managed by distribution companies. Gas is delivered through pipelines straight from processing plants. These companies keep everything running smoothly.

As the go-betweens for energy producers and consumers, energy retailers are crucial to Australia’s energy industry. They purchase gas and electricity from the wholesale market and resell it to homes and companies while providing various services and plans to accommodate various demands, and knowing how energy retailers work will make it easier for you to select a provider, especially if you’re moving homes or trying to cut costs. An energy provider supplies energy to the customer by buying the power from the Energy generator. They maintain customer service, generate electricity and gas bills, and handle customer hardships and grievances.

Energy Retailers

Over thirty energy retailers operate in Australia, ranging in size from large, well-known firms like Origin Energy, AGL, and EnergyAustralia to smaller, independent suppliers like Powershop, Red Energy, and Lumo Energy. Every retailer provides a range of plans with variable costs, terms of contract, and safety.

For Homes, electricity is used for lighting, heating, cooling, cooking, and powering appliances. Gas is also used for heating and cooking. Households can choose from various energy providers and compare plans to find the best rates using services like Moveinconnect to compare and connect to energy plans.

Home energy use differs greatly from business because homes typically use less gas and electricity than factories or commercial buildings. Residential energy meters are made especially for home use, where appliances, lighting, heating, and cooling are common energy uses.

The majority of energy retailers provide household-specific plans with an emphasis on convenience and affordability. Residential energy plans, in contrast to business energy plans, frequently offer assistance options such as hardship programs and concessions to help clients who might have trouble paying their bills. AGL, Origin Energy, and EnergyAustralia are just a few of the companies that offer a variety of residential plans with options for flexible payment plans, green energy, and fixed or variable rates.

Depending on the size of the home, the number of occupants, and the kinds of appliances in use, a homeowner’s energy consumption can vary greatly. An Australian household uses 15 to 20 kWh of electricity on average per day, but using high-energy appliances like air conditioners, electric heaters, and pool pumps can cause this amount to rise dramatically.

An increasing number of homes are looking to solar panels, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting to lower their energy costs and carbon footprint. Rebates and incentives make it more affordable for homeowners to install solar panels and take charge of their energy usage, and solar energy, in particular, has grown in popularity.

From small shops to large factories, businesses depend on electricity and gas. They can pick energy plans that suit their needs, whether fixed prices, green energy options, or flexible contracts. 

Business meters are labelled differently from residential electric meters. Business energy consumption is, on average, higher than residential, especially for large office buildings, commercial plazas, and factories. Another important consideration for business customers is the number of sites. Some companies have franchises or different locations.

For this reason, a few energy providers only focus on supplying Business electricity and gas. They tailor their power and gas offers specifically to business consumers. This helps them avoid residential customer hardship programs and concessions and few compliance matrices. Energy Retailers such as Bluenrrg, Next Business Energy, and Shell Energy focus on business customers and multiple sites for businesses. 

Big and small businesses bring together a strong economy. Australia is driven by 98% small to medium enterprises and 2% large businesses. According to statistics, small and large businesses on average are valued at over $500 B a year. This also increases the demand for electricity & gas for SMEs. An average Australian small business consumes 3 to 5 Megawatt of electricity monthly. However, smaller businesses Like restaurants and cafes, use high electricity and gas for equipment, from large-sized ovens to freezers and refrigerators. It is quite evident that restaurants and cafés are some large users of business energy.

Solar energy is growing fast in Australia, thanks to plenty of sunshine and lower costs. Solar panels on rooftops or in large solar farms capture sunlight and turn it into electricity, helping lower bills and reduce our dependence on the grid.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

You can use solar panels to produce your electricity at home by harnessing the sun’s power. They comprise several tiny components known as solar cells, often silicon-based and absorb light. These cells react to sunlight in a way that produces an electric current. The photovoltaic effect is the term for this process. Your household appliances can be powered by the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the panels, which is subsequently transformed into alternating current (AC) via an inverter.

Important Solar Panel System Components

Solar panels are the primary components that absorb sunlight and transform it into electrical energy.

An inverter is a device that changes DC electricity produced by solar panels into AC electricity suitable for use in a home.

The racks or mounts that secure the solar panels to your roof are called the mounting system.

Battery Storage: This optional feature allows you to store extra energy produced throughout the day for usage at night or on overcast days.

Meter: Calculates how much power your solar system produces and how much it returns to the grid.

Many people are installing solar panels at home. If your panels generate more electricity than you use, you can send the extra power back to the grid and get credits on your bill through feed-in tariffs.

Usually mounted on a home’s roof, residential solar systems supply a household’s energy needs. Most systems are between 5 and 10 kWh, depending on the household’s size and energy consumption. Homeowners can benefit from feed-in tariffs and government rebates, which cover the cost of returning excess electricity to the grid. This can lower installation costs and provide continuous energy bill savings.

One of the main advantages of residential solar is the ability to generate your own power, which lessens reliance on the grid and protects against rising electricity prices. With the correct configuration, many homes can use solar power to meet a sizable amount of their energy needs and, in certain situations, export extra power to reach net zero energy costs. By storing solar energy at night or on cloudy days, a battery storage system can increase these advantages and make the house even more self-sufficient.

Considering the rising energy cost, installing solar at home is simple and yields a quick return on investment. Going solar is now more affordable thanks to rebates like the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), and state-specific initiatives like Victoria’s Solar Homes Program provide additional incentives to lower upfront costs.

Business Solar: Businesses are also switching to solar to reduce energy costs. Larger solar systems can make a big difference in reducing electricity bills. Business energy, business electricity 

Solar energy has the potential to revolutionise the business world. Business solar systems are usually much larger than residential ones, often ranging from 30 kW to several hundred kW, depending on the size and energy requirements of the business. Businesses’ energy requirements are usually higher because of lighting, heating, cooling, and operating machinery or equipment. A well-designed solar panel system can meet many of these energy requirements, resulting in substantial savings.

In addition to lowering electricity expenses, business solar provides a fantastic chance to raise a company’s sustainability profile, which can attract investors and clients. 

Solar energy is beneficial for daytime businesses because it can directly power operations during the sun’s rays, offsetting peak energy consumption and minimising reliance on the grid.

Businesses can profit from the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) through STCs for systems up to 100 kW, which offer upfront installation discounts, much like residential solar. For larger systems, businesses can earn Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), offering another revenue stream by selling these certificates to liable entities.

Installing solar panels can also lower operating costs and offer long-term protection against rising energy costs, freeing up funds for other business uses. Additionally, leasing unused roof space to solar companies could be an option, generating extra revenue. To connect energy to your business, consult Moveinconnect, which makes the process easier.

Several incentives exist to help you go solar. The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) offers discounts on the upfront cost of solar panels through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). In Victoria, the Solar Homes Program provides additional rebates and interest-free loans, making it easier for homeowners to switch to solar.

Switching to solar is cheaper with rebates in Australia. These help lower the upfront costs for solar panels. The main one is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). This program offers Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). STCs work like discounts for your solar system. How many you get depends on how much energy the system creates. In Victoria, the Solar Homes Program gives extra help like rebates and loans with no interest. These programs help people buy solar for less money. You will pay less on your energy bills too. Installing solar helps the environment by lowering the need for grid energy. Are you interested in solar? Check available rebates and see how much you could save. 

Understanding STCs for Solar Rebates

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) help lower solar costs in Australia. They help homes and businesses pay less for solar setups. Each STC represents a certain amount of power your solar panels should create over time. The more energy your system gives, the more STCs you get.

After installing solar panels, energy companies need to buy your STCs. Solar installers usually offer a discount in exchange for these STCs. This deal makes switching to solar more accessible and cheaper. The worth of STCs might change due to demand. Still, they help cut costs and save you money on your power bills sooner.

Feed-in tariffs are credits on your electricity bill for the extra power your solar panels send back to the grid. These tariffs help make solar more affordable by reducing overall costs.

Important Factors to Consider

• Feed-in Tariffs: These credits help offset your electricity bill by reducing the amount of energy you need to buy from the grid.

States and Providers:

• Victoria: There’s a minimum feed-in tariff, but some providers offer higher rates. Compare options to find the best deal.
• New South Wales: No set minimum, so rates vary between providers. It’s worth comparing to find the best rate.
• South Australia: With no mandated minimum, rates can differ widely. Shopping around can help you save.
• Queensland: The old high-rate Solar Bonus Scheme is closed to new customers, but existing systems still benefit from current rates.

How Feed-in Tariffs Work

Solar panel owners get credits on their bills instead of direct payments. These credits lower your electricity costs, making solar a smart choice for saving money.

Energy Efficiency

Using energy efficiently means doing the same tasks with less power, which saves money and is better for the environment. Here are some simple ways to be more energy-efficient:

• Energy-Efficient Appliances: Look for appliances like fridges, washing machines, and TVs with high star ratings. More stars mean less energy use, saving you money on your bills.
• LED Lighting: Swapping out old bulbs for LEDs is an easy way to reduce electricity use. LEDs use much less power and last longer.
• Smart Devices: Smart thermostats and energy monitors help you keep track of your energy use, making it easier to reduce waste and lower costs.