by the Energy Charter Australia’s energy sector is undergoing rapid change. Pressure is building to deliver reliable, affordable, safe and sustainable energy for consumers, while making the necessary investments to support transformation from fossil-fuelled centralised generation to renewable and distributed energy. Within this transition, there is a unique opportunity to align with social licence and consumer expectations. This is an […]
Retail
Final report recommends VIC embedded network ban
Lauren DeLorenzo Embedded networks, News, Policy, Retail, Spotlight 0An expert panel has released its final report recommending a ban on embedded networks in Victoria’s new residential buildings to ensure customers have fair retail protections. The Embedded Networks Review was established as part of the Victorian Government’s election commitment to improve consumer outcomes in the energy market. The panel leading the review − comprised of energy market and consumer […]
Energy industry’s customer engagement in the spotlight
Utility Journalist News, People and appointments, Retail 0Energy Networks Australia (ENA) and Energy Consumers Australia, have outlined how energy networks are working to meet consumer needs, in a newly released report. The Consumer Engagement Report highlights submissions from energy networks to the 2021 Energy Networks Consumer Engagement Award. ENA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon, said the report demonstrated the high level of consumer engagement network businesses were […]
AER launches new vulnerability strategy for consultation
Utility Journalist News, Retail, Safety and Training, Spotlight 0The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has launched a new vulnerability strategy for consultation, aiming to improve the experiences of consumers who are especially vulnerable to financial hardship, as energy debt figures increase across the country. Concerns that some consumers may not be able to access the energy they need, due to financial hardship or vulnerability, formed the basis of the […]
NBN Co reveals 100% renewable target
Utility Journalist Digital Utilities, News, Retail, Spotlight, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has announced an emission reduction program Towards-Zero Carbon Ambition, membership of the global RE100 renewable energy initiative, and plans to purchase 100 per cent renewable electricity from December 2025. NBN Co’s emission reduction program is also part of its newly released second Sustainability Report. As part of the Towards-Zero Carbon Ambition, the company has an initial three-year roadmap, […]
Interflow’s 85th birthday
Utility Journalist Retail, Sponsored Editorial, Sustainability, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Leading pipeline infrastructure company, Interflow, is celebrating its 85th year of uplifting communities through the provision of world-class water and wastewater services. As the company approaches this incredible milestone, its people are pausing to reflect on their journey that has been characterised by innovation, agility, and a steadfast dedication to solving customers’ problems. Interflow is Australia and New Zealand’s leading […]
NBN Co upgrading 200,000 premises with faster broadband
Utility Journalist News, Retail, Telecommunications 0NBN Co has announced a new tranche of locations to be upgraded, allowing over 200,000 premises to be selected for upgrade and ultrafast broadband access. Details of Tranche 6 of the upgrade program came as the company posted strong financial results for the first quarter of the 2021-22 financial year. Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the […]
South Australia’s electricity distribution network has reached a world-first milestone – achieving “negative demand” on five days since 26 September 2021, due to the output of rooftop solar more than meeting electricity demand on the network. On 26 September, for the first time, the distribution network managed by SA Power Networks became a net exporter for 2.5 hours with load […]
Sharyn County: becoming a trusted partner through open communication
Utility Journalist Asset management, Company news, People and appointments, Retail, Sponsored Editorial 0In large corporate organisations, it can be all too easy for different teams and groups to become siloed and lose the ability to communicate with each other. As a veteran of large and complex organisations, Sharyn County, Zinfra’s General Manager – Procurement, Property and Fleet, knows this trap all too well – and has risen to the challenge by developing […]
Expanded product offerings: the future of energy retail?
Katie Livingston Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Retail 0by Lauren DeLorenzo, Journalist, Utility magazine With traditional revenue sources dwindling and energy retailers now competing for fewer customers, many companies have repositioned themselves as customer solutions providers, expanding their products to include insurance or telecommunications services. Here, we pick apart this trend to see how a diversified product range could unlock a bright future for energy retailers. In an […]
Boost productivity with PowerFlex 6000T medium voltage drives
Katie Livingston Electricity, Retail, Sponsored Editorial 0Simple, connected, easy-to-use. Rockwell Automation and NHP bring you the PowerFlex 6000T medium voltage (MV) drives, featuring common control architecture and TotalFORCE® technology. PowerFlex 6000T MV drives will simplify your integration and operating experience as they share the same control hardware, firmware and network interface software used in NHP’s latest generation of PowerFlex 755T low voltage drives. Using a common […]
Meeting 5-minute settlement regulatory requirements
Katie Livingston Electricity, Gas, Retail, Sponsored Editorial 0On 28 November 2017, the AEMC made a final rule to change the settlement period for the electricity spot price from thirty minutes to five minutes, with the changes to be implemented by late 2021. 5-minute settlement (5MS) provides a better price signal for investment in fast response technologies, such as batteries, new generation gas peaker plants and demand response. […]
A new billing system for Australian water utilities
Katie Livingston Digital Utilities, Features, Retail, Sponsored Editorial 0Aptumo, a cloud-based water customer billing solution powered by Echo Managed Services in the UK, is making positive in-roads into the Australian water sector. Coliban Water has successfully transitioned its billing and customer support software to Aptumo, and now North East Water has also chosen Aptumo to support its team in delivering an enhanced experience for its 55,000 customers across […]
Economical water treatment through blending
Katie Livingston Desalination, Retail, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0Water conducts and controls industrial processes in industries such as manufacturing and energy generation as well as in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning applications. Before it can be used, it has to be processed appropriately. One technique that is often used consists of blending raw water with processed water until the required quality is achieved, directly in the end user’s plant. […]
Renewables at a glance: Australia’s biggest up-and-coming projects
Katie Livingston Batteries & Storage, Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Retail, Sustainability 0As the impacts of climate change worsen and put Australia’s energy future under the microscope, renewables are set to play a significant part in the country’s pathway to a low-emissions future. Utility has collated Australia’s most ambitious renewable projects across batteries, bioenergy, solar, wind and hydro, to reveal how the country is making the most of its abundant resources.
Sydney Water’s Innovation Festival is almost here
Utility Journalist Company news, News, Retail, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Sydney Water’s Innovation Festival will be beginning in just over a week, on the 18-20 October, 2021. Nicola Nelson, Manager, Research and Innovation at Sydney Water said, “If you are in any way connected to the water industry and haven’t done so, you should register now, because the Festival is not to be missed. Over 600 have currently registered. “You […]
New energy think-tank: the time to electrify is now
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Retail, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Rewiring Australia, a new energy think tank, has released a report outlining how Australian households could dramatically reduce their energy bills through electrification, cutting domestic emissions by approximately one third by 2030. Rewiring Australia’s inaugural report, Castles and Cars: savings in the suburbs through electrifying everything presents new modelling which shows electrification can save the average household $5,000 on power […]
DBYD launches new digital delivery platform
Utility Journalist Company news, News, Projects, Retail 0Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) has finished its digital transformation, launching a brand new delivery platform called ‘DBYD NextGen referral service’. DBYD is a service that protects $388 billion of Australia’s critical infrastructure, with its new NextGen platform – delivered in July 2021 in partnership with Esri Australia and Deloitte Consulting – already processing almost three million referrals and surpassing […]
2021 Energy Network Award finalists revealed
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Retail, Spotlight 0Energy Networks Australia has announced the finalists for the 2021 Industry Innovation Award and the Consumer Engagement Award. The 2021 Energy Network Awards are an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Australia’s energy network businesses in innovation and customer engagement. There are two awards: The Industry Innovation Award: recognises leadership in the development and application of a ground-breaking Australian energy […]
Water Services Association Australia (WSAA) has launched its customer support principle-based framework, designed to help water utilities access and improve support for customers experiencing financial difficulty. The Customer Support Better Practice Framework is based on research from the Thriving Communities Partnership and aligned with the ESC’s “Getting to Fair” strategy. The WSAA hopes it will: Raise awareness of what better […]
The economic solution for making water safer
Katie Livingston Retail, Sponsored Editorial, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Introducing the FILTEC UF 2/10D Membrane Skid – a pressurised ultrafiltration water treatment solution to help you make water safer in a cost-effective way. Suitable for drinking water, processed water and treated wastewater, this modular plug-and-play system provides an economic solution to many water treatment applications. Based on the Suez ZeeWeed 1500 Membrane, the FILTEC UF 2/10D is delivered as […]
Innovation program launched to boost SMEs in energy supply chain
Utility Journalist Electricity, News, Retail 0An Australian-first open innovation program, titled GeneratER, has been launched by National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) to boost small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the energy resources supply chain and find local manufacturing and tech solutions to complex challenges. GeneratER has been established by NERA –an independent, federally funded NFP supporting Australia’s energy transition – to offer SMEs (including […]
South East Water unveils 7-star energy rated Ecorevo precinct
Utility Journalist Company news, Electricity, News, People and appointments, Projects, Renewable Energy, Retail, Solar, Sustainability, Water, Wind 0Aquarevo, Victoria’s most water-sustainable residential development, has achieved a 7-star energy efficiency breakthrough with the release of the final lots at its Lyndhurst community. The 24-lot Ecorevo precinct is the conclusion of an UDIA award-winning collaboration between developer Villawood Properties and South East Water on the 470-lot Aquarevo project. Located on a decommissioned water purification plant, Aquarevo offers up to […]
TransGrid relaunches Lumea to focus on clean energy transition
Utility Journalist Company news, Electricity, News, Projects, Renewable Energy, Retail, Solar, Spotlight, Wind 0TransGrid has relaunched its commercial arm under the new name Lumea, to provide infrastructure services to renewable energy generators and enable more renewable energy projects to join the National Electricity Market. Lumea also provides carrier grade telecommunications services to over 100 wholesale, government and emergency services customers. Lumea has a portfolio of over 9,000MW of renewable energy projects that are […]
Inaugural disability inclusion plan guides accessible water services
Katie Livingston Features, Retail, Stakeholder Engagement, Water 0Over the next two years, creating more employment pathways and providing a greater role in decision-making forums for people living with disability is among a series of initiatives set to be delivered by SA Water, aimed at ensuring accessible water services for every South Australian. These initiatives make up 39 key actions in SA Water’s inaugural Disability Access and Inclusion […]
Water use insights empowering GWMWATER customers
Katie Livingston Asset management, Big Data, Digital Utilities, Features, Retail, Smart meters, Water 0GWMWater has enhanced customer experience with the launch of a Customer Portal – empowering customers with more information about their water supply than ever before. Available on multiple devices, the portal allows customers to view recent and historical water use and set up automatic alerts to notify them of high usage or leaks.
Health of the NEM: triaging a critical electricity system
Imogen Hartmann Batteries & Storage, Demand management, Digital Utilities, Electricity, Features, Renewable Energy, Retail, Smart meters, Stakeholder Engagement 0by Imogen Hartmann, Journalist, Utility magazine At the beginning of 2021, the Energy Security Board (ESB) handed down its 2020 Health of the National Electricity Market (NEM) report, the fourth annual report measuring the health of the NEM against six strategic energy objectives. With increasing renewable generation simultaneously improving emissions reduction and threatening security, plus an imminent technology boom underpinned […]
AGL to split into two leading energy businesses
Imogen Hartmann Company news, Electricity, News, Projects, Retail, Spotlight, Sustainability 0AGL has announced its intentions for a structural separation that will launch two leading energy businesses focused on executing distinct strategies. These businesses are: “New AGL” Australia’s largest multi-product energy retailer, leading the transition to a low carbon future “PrimeCo” Australia’s largest electricity generator, supporting the economy as the energy market evolves AGL Managing Director and CEO, Brett Redman, said […]
Aptumo expands into Australia following second contract win
Andrew Leung Digital Utilities, Retail, Sponsored Editorial, Water 0Aptumo, the cloud-based water customer billing solution powered by UK-based Echo Managed Services, has launched its Australian business with the opening of a Melbourne office, following recent growth and further expansion opportunities in the country. The SaaS utility billing software provider recently implemented its solution at Victoria’s Coliban Water, and has also been selected as the preferred solution for a […]
A better deal for embedded network customers
Charlotte Pordage Electricity, Embedded networks, Features, Retail 0All Victorians now have access to a fairer electricity deal with the Victorian Default Offer being set as the new maximum price for electricity sold to embedded network customers. In July 2020, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) made a final decision on the maximum prices exempt sellers may charge customers in embedded electricity networks. Exempt sellers include owners and operators […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
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