Australian Tesla battery owners might miss out on lucrative earnings because Tesla restricts its batteries from interacting with local third parties. This situation is worsened by the lack of clear standards set by authorities.
Tesla's restrictions on its Powerwall 2 batteries in Australia and unclear regulatory standards may prevent Australian consumers from capitalizing on these opportunities. Read on to understand more about the Australian Tesla matter.
The Issue With Tesla's Powerwall 2 In Australia
In the US, Tesla is required to allow battery interoperability, enabling third-party interactions. However, this feature is disabled in the Powerwall 2 batteries sold in Australia. Tesla maintains control over battery interactions, often prioritizing its own interests.
The limited earning potential restriction limits owners' ability to earn by participating in virtual power plants or adjusting usage during peak times.
Recommendations From Experts
Experts suggest that the Australian government should enforce interoperability mandates on Tesla and other battery suppliers. For instance, mandating the international standard IEEE1547-2018 Clause 10 would ensure consumers and the grid benefit fully.
According to the same experts, suppliers who don't comply should also be excluded from rebates like New South Wales' $2,400 subsidy program.
Industry Voices
Dean Spaccavento, CEO of Reposit Power, emphasizes the necessity of non-cloud control ports to avoid locking owners into restrictive business models. Due to these restrictive policies, his company does not include Tesla batteries in its services.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) highlights the potential for coordinated consumer energy resource (CER) storage. CER storage is projected to soar from 200 megawatts to 37 gigawatts by 2049-50. Without effective management, an additional $4.1 billion in grid investment would be required.
Government And Regulatory Stance
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) indicates it is up to the government to enforce interoperability or access requirements on battery suppliers. The Clean Energy Council notes that consumer resource interoperability standards will depend on a final report from the federal government.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen emphasized the importance of consumer energy resources, stating that reforms are underway to allow more solar power export to the grid and establish consistent national standards. He also claims New South Wales' energy department is engaging with industry stakeholders to finalize the peak demand reduction scheme.
Without mandates enforcing international standards like IEEE1547-2018 Clause 10, Australian consumers may continue to miss out on significant earnings and benefits. Government action and industry collaboration are key to unlocking the full potential of consumer energy resources and ensuring a cost-effective transition to renewable energy.
