Organised by Electrify 5049+
Attendees:
On Sunday 13 October from 2-4pm, over 45 people attended our community forum at the Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club, in postcode 5049. Guests included The Hon Louise Miller-Frost MP (Federal Member for Boothby).
Why the forum?
Household electrification, through its 6 ‘pillars’ – solar panels, batteries, EV charging, home heating and cooling, hot water and cooking – is the best near term solution to quickly reduce domestic climate emissions, while making significant energy and cost of living savings.
Many households local to postcode 5049 have solar, however not everyone is aware of the benefits of electric vehicles, batteries, electric space heating, induction cooking and efficient electric hot water. The forum was designed to assist participants with electrifying their own households and to discuss how we can increase household electrification in local areas of the City of Holdfast Bay and City of Marion.
What happened?
The forum included demonstrations of electric vehicles, e-bikes and induction cooking, as well as presentations on the benefits and ‘how-to’ of household electrification. Participants discussed their barriers to electrification and attended specific break out sessions. Information on household electrification was also on hand from Finn Peacock – Solar Quotes, the City of Marion, the City of Holdfast Bay and SA Power Networks. Ideas for further community action were discussed and participants provided feedback to improve future events.
Feedback from attendees included…..
“found out about rebates”; learned about “latest processes for household electrification”; “got info on battery”, learned about “EV 2 way charge”; learned about “EV, solar and heat pumps” and “induction”
“need to do more research and visit Repair Cafe” “provide handout on ‘Next Steps’”
Barriers to electrification: The most common barriers are cost and finance plus a lack of technical information and support.
Actions suggested for the community & E5049+
● we can lead by demonstrating demand in our homes
● the Electrify 5049+ group will help householders to prepare household electrification plans at its monthly Marino Repair Cafe
● participate in the recently announced City of Marion bulk buy solar and battery scheme
● establish special interest groups for different aspects of household electrification eg Energy management, EVs, E Bikes, Heat pumps etc.
Actions suggested for State Government
● Reintroduce the Home Battery Subsidy scheme, as cost is the current barrier for home battery storage and participation in VPPs
● Make all new house builds electric only by default
● Broaden the REPS program to allow more households to access rebates for energy efficiency and electrification and make it easier to access
Actions suggested for Federal Government
● HECS for Electrification loans program to provide affordable loans for all households to electrify their homes with the loans payable upon property sale
● Making solar, batteries and EV charging easier for strata and apartment buildings
Next steps
If you haven’t already done so, please complete our online household electrification survey (click on Take the Survey) at www.electrifyadelaide.com
Say hello to Electrify 5049+ at the Repair Cafe marymalc1@gmail.com
If you live outside of the 5049+ postcode area, contact Electrify Adelaide electrifyadelaide@gmail.com to work with them in your community
For more information about electrifying your home visit www.electrifyadelaide.com
Acknowledgment:
Electrify Your Home & $ave! 5049+ Community Forum was organised by the community groups Electrify 5049+ and Electrify Adelaide, teams of volunteers passionate about making positive change in our communities. Electrify 5049+ gratefully acknowledges a grant of $1,000 from the City of Holdfast Bay to assist holding the forum. Electrify Adelaide is supported in its activities by a SA Power Networks Community Grant over the 2024-25 Financial Year, and works closely with Rewiring Australia, founded by Australian engineer and innovator Dr Saul Griffith.