04/06/2026
Winning pitch - Energy Efficiency Council Conference: Are we solving the wrong problem? Australia is searching for ways to increase energy storage, strengthen the grid and improve access to renewable energy.
At the same time, thousands of electric vehicles containing substantial battery capacity are being added to the network every month. Yet for many renters, the benefits of the energy transition remain out of reach. Rooftop solar and home batteries are often tied to property ownership, leaving a significant portion of Australians unable to participate fully in the clean energy future.
At the EEC National Conference Pitch Session which, while theoretical in nature, was designed to challenge existing assumptions and spark discussion about how policy settings could evolve to better support Australia's energy transition, Merrily posed a simple question:
"What if the challenge isn't building more batteries, but finding better ways to use the batteries we already have?"
What if an EV wasn't just a vehicle, but a mobile energy asset capable of storing solar energy, powering a home and supporting the grid? Unlike a fixed battery, it moves with the person who owns it. It isn't tied to a roof, a postcode or a mortgage. Recognising EVs as batteries on wheels could create new pathways for renters to access the benefits of clean energy, while unlocking a vast network of distributed storage already sitting in driveways across Australia.
The idea sparked plenty of discussion and ultimately took out the conference's winning pitch.
Because perhaps the future of energy storage isn't something we need to build. Perhaps it's something we're already driving.
