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More than one in three Australian households now have rooftop solar, but powering our homes with renewable energy isn’t as simple as putting more panels on roofs. As solar, home batteries and electric vehicles become a part of the electricity system, how do we keep the grid stable, energy affordable and the benefits accessible to everyone?
In this episode of Engineering the Future, STEM journalist Neil Martin chats with UNSW Associate Professor Anna Bruce about the growing role our homes play in Australia’s energy transition.
They explore how rooftop solar and household batteries interact with the grid, why renewable energy doesn’t automatically mean lower electricity bills, and how virtual power plants could harness thousands of household batteries to support the wider energy system.
They also look at one of the transition’s biggest challenges: making sure everyone can benefit. From the barriers facing renters and apartment residents to plug-in solar, smarter buildings and automated energy use, Anna explores what needs to change - and what the Australian home could look like in 20 or 30 years.
Visit our website for A/Prof. Bruce's bio and a full transcript of the conversation.
Read more of our stories on solar technology for households:
- Testing the next generation of solar panels
- The secret to better solar cells? Think like a baker
- ‘Balcony solar’ and plug‑in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change
- We can’t air-condition our way out of a hotter future, says UNSW expert
- UNSW technology to help bring solar and battery storage to apartments
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Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to show our respects and acknowledge the Bedegal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which our Kensington campus is situated on, and to Elders past and present.
