The Australian government has announced $30 million in funding for 14 innovative projects designed to strengthen Australia’s energy grid, including initiatives that use electric vehicles to support the network and help apartment residents share solar and battery power.
The funding, delivered through the Grid Enhancing Technologies (GET) Grant Program, forms part of a broader push to modernise the nation’s electricity infrastructure and make the energy system smarter and more efficient.
The GET Grant Program is a component of the Australian government’s Rewiring the Nation initiative, which is investing more than $20 billion to modernise and expand Australia’s electricity system.
The program aims to deliver a cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy future for Australian households and businesses.
The 14 projects selected for funding will roll out across six states and territories, including Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Each project is focused on technologies that boost capacity and improve performance across local electricity networks.
Among the diverse range of solutions being deployed are systems that use electric vehicles as batteries to help power homes and support the grid during periods of high electricity demand.
Other projects will offer EV owners incentives to charge their vehicles when electricity is cheaper and more readily available.
Several initiatives are aimed at improving the speed and efficiency of grid connections.
These include tools to help renewable energy developers quickly identify the best locations to connect new energy projects to the network, as well as better tools for grid operators to move electricity around the system and safely increase capacity.
The funding will also support technology designed to keep the grid stable during periods of high solar generation, allowing more power to be used safely.
Additionally, some projects will focus on coordinating large-scale batteries across the network to reduce pressure on the grid during peak periods.
According to the government, these projects will collectively unlock more renewable energy flowing through the grid at a faster rate, allowing households and businesses to extract greater value from rooftop solar and battery storage.
Applicants to the GET program were required to demonstrate how their proposed projects could function across the wider energy network, ensuring benefits extend to a larger number of Australian households and businesses over time.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the funding reflected the government’s commitment to supporting local innovation throughout the energy transition.
He said Australia’s natural resources placed it in a strong position to benefit from renewable energy, and that the government was focused on helping households make the most of that advantage.
“Australia has the best sun and wind in the world, and we’re helping households maximise the benefits,” said Bowen.
“We want to use our sovereign renewables to strengthen our grid and shield Australians from global energy shocks.”
Minister Bowen added that the grants would have flow-on effects for both the stability of the grid and the cost of energy for consumers.
“The Grid Enhancing Technologies grants will support more renewables in the system, put downward pressure on energy bills, and build a stronger, more resilient grid,” he said.
The government said the projects reflect its ongoing commitment to building a more resilient and renewable-focused electricity network across the country.
