A century after the opening of Australia’s first coal-fired power station Solar panels on private roofs across the country together produce more electricity than any single coal-fired power plant.But electricity distribution networks still rely on 1950s technology to control domestic hot water production.Ripple control device“ to absorb the “surplus” of coal-fired power available overnight.

While there is plenty of solar power on roofs at midday, demand is highest during the peak period between 4 and 8 p.m. Hot water systems (HWS), which account for about a quarter of the household burden, offer the best and most cost-effective solution to this imbalance by shifting a significant portion of demand to the middle of the day.

While some of the solar energy generated can be stored in batteries, introducing flexible demand can reduce household energy costs and is cheaper than storage.

For more than 70 years, most electric hot water systems have used ripple control by sending signals to individual hot water devices on controlled load circuits at night. This long history of overnight electric hot water shows how consumers are embracing flexible hot water provision.

Gas hot water systems are particularly widespread in southern Australia and offer a great opportunity for efficient and intelligent electrification. IEEFA analysis has shown that the average Victorian household could save $1,200 a year in energy costs if gas appliances were replaced at the end of their life with efficient electric alternatives. Heat pump hot water systems are three to four times more efficient than resistive electricalwhich significantly reduces power consumption.

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