CSIRO-backed energy management system launched

Renewable energy start-up Evergen has launched Australia’s first intelligent home energy management system, with the technical backing of CSIRO.

The system combines solar panels and batteries with smart technology, facilitating continuous analysis and optimisation of home energy use.

It is capable of selecting the most efficient source for a home’s electricity supply, switching from solar to stored power as required. It also analyses power consumption patterns and local weather in order to make decisions that reduce energy costs. It is remotely managed by Evergen and regularly analysed and updated by CSIRO.

CSIRO Energy Director Dr Peter Mayfield is excited to see this CSIRO-developed technology available in Australian homes.

“CSIRO has been at the forefront of solar and battery technology research for many years, and we are committed to the development of intelligent systems and tools which change the way we use energy,” Dr Mayfield said.

“We know that consumers are viewing their household electricity differently and taking more control; intelligent systems allow them to do this with ease,” he said.

Evergen Chairman Stephen Dunne said the system is the gateway to energy-smart homes of the future.

“We’re excited to be taking the science of CSIRO and building it in to an energy system that will benefit families all over Australia,” said Dunne.

CSIRO developed Evergen’s core energy management intelligence and provided research expertise to help Evergen commercialise the product.

The Evergen system is now available to Australians in an early release program, with a second-stage release program in January 2017.