Beyond solar: how homes are shaping Australia’s energy future
How rooftop solar, home batteries and electric vehicles are transforming Australia’s energy future.
Published on the 13 October 2026
As rooftop solar, home batteries and electric vehicles become increasingly common, Australian households are playing a growing role in the nation’s energy transition.
In the latest episode of UNSW Engineering’s Engineering the Future, STEM journalist Neil Martin speaks with UNSW Associate Professor Anna Bruce about the opportunities and challenges of powering homes with renewable energy.
They explore how household solar and batteries interact with the electricity grid, why renewable energy does not always mean lower electricity bills, and how virtual power plants could connect thousands of home batteries to support the wider energy system.
The episode also examines how the transition can benefit more people, including renters and apartment residents, through innovations such as plug-in solar, smarter buildings and automated energy use.
Listen to Beyond Solar: Changing the Way We Power Our Homes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.