Kaluza & OVO Energy Australia unveil new EV & solar plans

Kaluza and OVO Energy Australia have announced the launch of new electric vehicle (EV) and solar propositions, promising to save customers up to AUD $450 annually. These new innovations rolled out in less than a month, automate the shifting of EV charging loads, allowing customers to reap benefits from the energy grid and their rooftop solar systems.

This development addresses the high solar generation during early afternoons, notably prevalent in the summer, which has posed challenges across the energy value chain. By teaming up with Kaluza, OVO Energy Australia seeks to develop and implement propositions that promote usage shifting, saving customers money and advancing the path to electrification.

Central to this initiative is the Kaluza-powered "Free 3" plan, which provides OVO Energy Australia customers, including EV users, with three hours of free energy daily. This plan encourages load shifting to times when solar generation is at its peak. Launched in just 19 days, the plan has already seen a more than 30% increase in energy consumption during the designated free hours, enabling customers to capture excess solar energy available on the grid.

Beyond the Free 3 plan, Kaluza and OVO Energy Australia have introduced smart charging software specifically for EV drivers. Customers with Tesla EVs can now utilise 'EV Control' features via a Kaluza-powered white label app to monitor and manage their charging in real time. This allows them to optimise their schedules for the cheapest and most environmentally friendly times. Solar customers can also link their EV charging to their solar systems, maximising the use of locally generated electricity by connecting to their inverters or inputting their solar system parameters.

Kaluza’s rapidly growing portfolio of connected devices further empowers OVO Energy Australia customers to derive maximum value from low-carbon technologies operating synergistically within their homes. For instance, EV customers with solar panels can cover 15-25% of their charging needs directly from their solar energy systems, reducing dependency on the grid and thereby decreasing electricity expenses.

This initiative is the latest in a series of steps following the 2021 joint venture between AGL and OVO Energy to introduce innovative digital energy services in Australia via the Kaluza platform. Following the successful migration of OVO Energy Australia customers to Kaluza and the platform's complete localisation last year, both companies were primed to swiftly introduce these latest low-carbon propositions to the market in 2024.

Gavin Mooney, General Manager for Australia, Kaluza, expressed pride in the partnership with OVO Energy Australia to build a flexible technology platform capable of launching these groundbreaking EV and solar plans. He emphasised that such adaptable solutions herald the future by supporting customers and energy retailers while enhancing the sustainability of the energy grid. Mooney also noted Kaluza’s commitment to continued rapid innovation with OVO Energy Australia to seize new market opportunities and bolster customer loyalty.

Mark Yemm, CEO of OVO Energy Australia, highlighted how Kaluza has enabled the rapid introduction of innovative propositions tailored for the modern energy consumer. He remarked that these offerings help maintain a competitive edge, manage increased volatility, and provide customers with low-carbon solutions that also result in financial savings.