The hidden energy guzzler in 1.3 million Australian backyards - and how it could help the grid
About this episode
The episode discusses the energy consumption of pool pumps in Australia and their potential to support the electricity grid while saving households money.
Swimming pools don’t usually feature in discussions about household electrification, yet Australia's 1.3 million pool pumps consume a surprisingly large amount of electricity and can make up nearly 20% of a household’s electricity bill. Together Energy co-founder Patrick Michel discusses why pool pumps have been an overlooked energy efficiency opportunity and how pool chemistry has long prevented efforts to reduce run-times. He argues that with a bit of help from technology, smart scheduling and pool management can cut pump operating hours by 25 to 50 per cent without compromising water quality. Can Australia’s backyard pools become a new consumer energy resource, helping support a cleaner and more flexible electricity grid whilst saving households hundreds of dollars a year?
People in this episode
Guest: Patrick Michel
Topics covered
- energy efficiency
- pool pumps
- household electrification
- electricity grid
- cost savings
Keywords
- pool pumps
- energy consumption
- electricity bill
- energy efficiency
- smart scheduling
- clean energy
- household savings
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Together Energy
Places: Australia
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