Queenslanders interested in home battery storage and electric vehicles

Interest in home battery storage systems and electric vehicles has continued to rise in Queensland, according to a new survey.

The Queensland Household Energy Survey, conducted for Ergon Energy, Energex and Powerlink, canvassed the views of more than 4500 residents around the state.

Energy Queensland chief executive officer David Smales said the survey produced valuable information on a range of key energy use patterns, awareness and intentions, plus current and forecast trends regarding electrical equipment in the home.

“This survey produces some really useful information, including a gauge of Queenslanders’ awareness of, interest in, and buying intentions in all things to do with energy,” he said.

“For example, one key finding was that among solar PV households, intention to purchase battery storage jumped in 2015 and remained high in 2016.

“The survey also showed that 62 per cent of regional Queensland respondents were aware of battery storage systems, while awareness was 56 per cent for south east Queenslanders.”

Mr Smales said in 2013, only 38 per cent of regional Queenslanders were aware of home battery systems, and only 31 per cent of south-east Queenslanders were aware of them.

“The high cost of battery storage remains the primary barrier to uptake among home owners, with 50 per cent of those survey respondents not wanting to take up battery storage stating it doesn’t make financial sense because it is too expensive or has a long return on investment,” he said.

Mr Smales said another key finding of the survey was that electric vehicles could become more popular from mid-2018.

“The household survey shows that roughly half of all Queensland households who are in the market for a new vehicle are willing to consider an electric vehicle, a plug in hybrid, or a regenerative braking hybrid car,” he said.

“A combination of improved charging infrastructure and electric vehicle tariffs could greatly accelerate uptake of electric vehicles and help manage the demand placed on the network.

“Those who are willing to consider an electric vehicle fall within two groups – those primarily motivated by the value or cost effectiveness of electric vehicles, and those who are primarily motivated by the environment.

“The adoption of electric vehicles may begin to increase in mid-2018 following the release of new models which could address the two main barriers to uptake – that they are too expensive to purchase, and their range is not long enough.”

The survey collected eight years of data and trend analysis and provided an insight into changing energy use across the state.

The results, combined with other community engagement and research, will help Energy Queensland and Powerlink to develop network planning and energy management programs.

The next survey will be conducted in late 2017.

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