Electrify 2515: Our initial findings
The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot was born out of a passionate, ongoing effort by the local community advocating for government support to create Australia's first all-electric community. Innovating to reach beyond its usual remit of supporting businesses in the renewable energy sector, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) stepped in to fund the initiative, granting $5.4 million to Rewiring Australia, Brighte, and Endeavour Energy to help the community achieve its vision.
The goal of the pilot is to equip 500 households within the 2515 postcode with efficient electric appliances, household batteries, and a smart energy device. The idea is to move away from gas, and maximise the use of rooftop solar and renewables in the grid.
The pilot officially launched in October 2024, and here’s a snapshot of progress so far:
11 tradespeople have joined as installation partners
580 households have applied to participate
10 homeowners have already had smart energy devices installed
50 homeowners are in the process of replacing their gas appliances with energy-efficient electric alternatives
Pilot timeline
The first ten households: pioneers of electrification
The first ten households were early adopters—individuals already committed to an electric future. Their homes, each equipped with solar panels, were fully electric, some even owning home batteries or electric vehicles (EVs). They were selected through a survey conducted in 2022 by the Electrify 2515 Community group and were offered the chance to be part of the pilot by installing a smart energy device.
Given that smart energy devices are a relatively new technology, this group provided a unique opportunity to test different brands, help tradespeople become familiar with the installation process, and gather valuable feedback from the participants on the devices’ functionality, usability, and integration with existing systems.
Insights from the first ten households
After receiving feedback from the first ten households and the tradies involved, the pilot team compiled an initial “Lessons Learned” report.
Key takeaways
Community engagement builds trust: Clear, consistent, local messaging fosters trust and enthusiasm, laying the groundwork for greater community involvement.
People want to go electric – but need help: Many households love the idea of lower bills and cleaner energy but don’t know where to start. Information overload and lack of trusted advice are big blockers. Community messengers and experts may support people through this.
Renters and apartment owners are missing out: Applications from renters and landlords for the pilot have been lower than hoped.
Smart energy devices vary wildly: The functionality and integration of smart energy devices with other household appliances differ significantly between brands.
New tech presents a learning curve: As with any new technology, installers are still gaining experience with smart energy devices. They’re tricky to install, and even electricians aren’t always familiar with them.
Why These Findings Matter
While these insights may not be shocking to some, the significance lies in the fact that they are based on real-world experiences from actual community members and tradespeople. This pilot is not just another theoretical study—it’s an opportunity to test solutions that could help shape the future of sustainable, all-electric communities.
Governments and industries often waste resources trying to guess what people need or what will work in the market. By testing smart energy devices as part of the Electrify 2515 Community Pilot, we’re gaining real feedback about what people are ready for and how governments can better support the transition to all-electric communities powered by renewable energy.
For more details on why this is crucial for ARENA, visit ARENA's blog on the Electrify 2515 Pilot.
These early findings are also helping us improve the pilot for the following phases. Thank you so much to these early adopters - true pioneers on this electrification journey.
These are only the first learnings from the pilot. We will continue to publish reports and blogs with our findings over the next two years.
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