Without having to wait until 2021 for a five minute settlement for electricity spot prices, home batteries are already making significant contributions towards helping reduce the cost of electricity for households.

Recent announcements such as the re-opening of the Solar Victoria Solar Battery Rebate and the NSW Government looking to introduce interest-free loans for home batteries are examples of how state governments are investing in household energy storage for the benefit of households.

Yet a number of challenges are holding back the potential for more residential energy storage to support Australia’s grid. This was recognised in a policy document released by the Australian Energy Storage Alliance (AESA).

One of the key call outs by AESA was the lack of a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) strategy in Australia. We have yet to achieve the peak potential for residential rooftop solar in this country. In fact, a recent report said half of the unused potential for rooftop solar lies in residential areas and the growth in DERs presents significant opportunities for our industry.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and smart batteries will help smooth out the management of DERs but beyond this, what are the other barriers that are holding back the potential for home batteries to grow in Australia?

One of the key call outs by AESA was the lack of a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) strategy in Australia. We have yet to achieve the peak potential for residential rooftop solar in this country. In fact, a recent report said half of the unused potential for rooftop solar lies in residential areas and the growth in DERs presents significant opportunities for our industry.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) and smart batteries will help smooth out the management of DERs but beyond this, what are the other barriers that are holding back the potential for home batteries to grow in Australia?