Geelong electric homes pilot

Chief Investigators

Jane Spence (Geelong Sustainability)

Purpose of project

The Geelong Electric Homes Program 2023 stage 1 and 2024 stage 2 have contributed significantly to the RACE for Homes Energy Upgrades for Australian Homes (EUAH) project. The Geelong program, a EUAH pilot, supported residents in Geelong and four adjoining Local Government regions to improve the thermal performance of their homes and to transition away from gas, by offering a collaborative and coordinated community purchasing program, at scale. The Local Government areas include Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Queenscliffe.  

Impact of project

The outcomes of these two Geelong Electric Homes Program pilots have assisted the Energy Upgrades for Australian Homes (EUAH) project’s research objectives by sharing their approaches to trusted partner selection, promotion of the program, education offerings, and resident feedback with the research teams in the various EUAH work packages.  

Stage 1 – 2023 outcomes 

● 1,500 attendees at events. 

● 927 unique enquiries. 

● 318 installed systems. 

● The program stimulated $2,053,185 of capital investment. 

● A total of $81,328 saved annually on energy bills. 

● 770 tonnes of Co2 emissions reduced over a one year period and 18,328 tons of Co2 emission reduction over the 25 year lifetime of the products. 

● Community donations with 3 x 6.6kW solar systems and six hot water heat pump systems donated to Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative and Norlane Community Initiatives. 

Additionally, independent economic analysis found that the program: 

● Increased revenue in the regional economy by $4.7 million ($2.1m direct output and $2.6m indirect output due to the flow on supply-chain and consumption impacts). 

● Supported 12 regional jobs and $902,000 in wages and salaries (5 direct jobs and 7 indirect 

jobs). 

● Increased Gross Regional Product by $1.7 million. 

The pilots gave community, place-based feedback on:  

• which products were most popular in being purchased by the community,  

• feedback about the customers’ experiences,  

• the likelihood of customers to make other major electric purchases in the future 

• program development and implementation processes 

• community engagement 

• the process to engage delivery partners.  

Ongoing work 

Geelong Sustainability are continuing to work closely with the EUAH researchers as they help Ballarat City Council to deliver a similar education and upgrade program and in the development of the 2025 Geelong program which will involve targeted community engagement, and a new energy ‘concierge’ service to help remove barriers and engage a wider Geelong demographic.   

Project partners – industry and research

Geelong Sustainability (Lead), Borough of Queencliffe, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, CSIRO, Enviroflex, Ephe, Golden Plains Shire, Jeztek Plumbing, Monash University, RACV Solar, Reclaim Energy, Surf Coast Shire, Too Hot Too Handle Heating and Cooling, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Winki Solar