A new era of residential energy management is emerging in Australia in response to rising energy prices and environmental concerns.

Driven by ‘prosumers’, so named as they both produce and consume resources, including energy, this emerging market has the potential to reshape homes of the future and it has already started, but prosumers need help.

By producing their own green energy and electrifying their homes, prosumers will change this, as the first to live in net zero – or less – homes. To do this, prosumers are choosing solar and smart technology to reduce their bills, and electric vehicles (EVs) and electrical appliances to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Fortunately, there is a clear entry point for the ‘prosumer home of the future’, in its energy management system, which will act as a central hub linked to solar panels and batteries, including one or more electric vehicles (EVs). These technologies are already here and growing in popularity.

This trend is expected to continue as more affordable EV models enter the market and the charging infrastructure improves, including residential options. For example, these at-home options will transform the way we think about refuelling, making going to a petrol station inconvenient for day-to-day driving and encouraging greater reliance on electrical energy.

However, challenges remain for prosumers, particularly when it comes to navigating the complex and constantly evolving energy market. This is where electricians can step in and be the trusted guide they need. As an industry, they can create a legacy as the enablers of a greener future. Furthermore, to secure the future of green Australian homes, the energy industry and government must work together to educate citizens and support them to create their own energy ecosystems.

The prosumer movement is reshaping the residential electrical energy industry and the very function and fabric of our homes. While prosumers face challenges, they are also driving innovation and change, with new technologies and business models emerging to meet their needs.