News

10 December 2019

Observations on the DMO

The Australian Energy Regulator, following a request from the Federal Minister for Energy, implemented a Default Market Offer (DMO) from 1 July 2019. These DMOs have replaced the retailer-determined standing offers previously available. The Default Market Offer regime has been in place for 3 months now, allowing for a few observations:

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10 July 2019

SA Water Accessibility Initiative

SA Water has announced a scheme which aims to make essential water services more easily accessible to all South Australians, particularly those living with disability. The scheme seeks to apply Universal Design Principles, which recognise that anyone can find themselves living with an impairment which makes it difficult to do what a fully fit and able person may be able to do. Universal Design aims to create products or processes that include as many people as possible in the first instance, and are also easily customisable to the needs of particular users.

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10 July 2019

Increased discount for Origin “Value” deal

Two years ago the SA Government invited electricity retailers to tender for the opportunity to offer a more attractive deal to consumers who receive the energy concession. Origin Energy won the tender and from December 2017 introduced a discount offer that included an 18% discount on electricity usage and supply charges, and no extra fees and charges.  Origin committed to maintain this offer up to 30 June 2019. They also offered an 11% discount on natural gas usage and supply.

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8 April 2019

Confusion Alert!

South Australia now has TWO household battery schemes. The first, the “Virtual Power Plant” scheme, launched last February by the then-Labor government, involves the installation of solar systems and Tesla Powerwall batteries. This scheme is being trialled in selected Housing SA properties, with a view to eventually extending it through all suitable Housing SA properties and then to the general public.

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8 April 2019

Brand New Telecommunications Training

In light of increasing costs of telecommunication services and confusion for consumers about the types of plans available and less than transparent billing practices, ConnectEd is now offering community worker training and public information sessions on mobile and internet services.

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8 April 2019

The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Controlled Load 

ConnectEd workers have noticed a spike in reports of missing off peak controlled load. Controlled load, also called “dedicated” or “ancillary” load, “off-peak”, or "OPCL" (Off-Peak Controlled Load), is commonly used to power electric storage hot water systems – any tank of 125 litres or larger.

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