POWER UP YOUR PROFITS & PURPOSE WITH PEER-TO-PEER ENERGY TRADING
Join the energy revolution with Jousto. Buy and sell electricity directly with other businesses and prosumers, slash your energy costs, and champion sustainability – even if you don't have solar panels.
THE NEW ENERGY FRONTIER: P2P TRADING EXPLAINED
WHAT IS PEER-TO-PEER ENERGY TRADING?
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading is revolutionising how businesses interact with electricity. Often described as the "Uber or Airbnb of energy," it creates a direct marketplace where businesses and individuals can buy and sell electricity between each other, bypassing traditional retailers as the sole intermediary.
With P2P trading, businesses with solar panels (prosumers) can sell their excess energy at better rates than standard feed-in tariffs. Meanwhile, businesses without solar can purchase locally-generated renewable energy, often at prices lower than standard retail rates.
This democratised approach puts you in control – you decide who you buy from, who you sell to, and at what price. It's a fundamental shift from being a passive energy consumer to becoming an active participant in a dynamic, local energy marketplace.
And the best part? You don't need to have solar panels to participate and benefit.
HOW P2P ENERGY TRADING WORKS WITH JOUSTO
Through our strategic partnership with Localvolts, Jousto makes P2P energy trading simple, accessible, and highly beneficial for your business.
P2P energy trading creates a direct marketplace between energy producers and consumers.
JOIN THE MARKETPLACE
Jousto helps your business register with Localvolts, an authorised electricity retailer with a transparent P2P marketplace. We handle the paperwork and technical setup, making onboarding seamless.
SET YOUR PREFERENCES
With Jousto's guidance, establish your buying or selling preferences. Choose specific trading partners, set price points, or opt for automatic optimisation to always get the best rates.
TRADE ENERGY
Buy energy directly from local solar producers or sell your excess generation. Every 5-minute interval, the platform matches buyers and sellers based on preferences, with the wholesale market as a backup.
OPTIMISE WITH AUTOMATION
Jousto's energy automation systems can dynamically adjust your consumption, storage, or generation in response to real-time market signals, maximising your financial benefits without manual intervention.
BENEFITS FOR EVERY BUSINESS
Whether you have solar panels or not, P2P energy trading offers significant advantages for your business.
REDUCE ENERGY COSTS
Access potentially lower energy rates by buying directly from local generators or the wholesale market. If you have solar, sell your excess at better prices than standard feed-in tariffs, creating a new revenue stream.
ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY
Source renewable energy directly from local producers, reducing your carbon footprint and enhancing your ESG credentials. Demonstrate your commitment to sustainability with verifiable, traceable green energy procurement.
GAIN CONTROL & TRANSPARENCY
Take control of your energy procurement with complete visibility of pricing, sources, and usage patterns. Set your own prices for buying or selling, and access detailed analytics on your energy performance.
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES
Support local businesses and community members by trading energy within your network. Create meaningful connections and keep energy expenditure circulating in your local economy.
INCREASE ENERGY RESILIENCE
Reduce dependence on traditional energy retailers and volatile markets. Diversify your energy sources and gain greater stability in your energy supply and costs.
ACCESS MARKET INTELLIGENCE
Gain insights into energy market trends and patterns through detailed analytics. Make informed decisions about energy usage, procurement, and investment based on real data.
P2P TRADING BENEFITS: WITH OR WITHOUT SOLAR
P2P energy trading offers distinct yet complementary advantages for all businesses, regardless of whether you generate your own power.
| P2P Feature | Benefits If You HAVE Solar | Benefits If You DON'T Have Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Energy Sales | Sell surplus energy at potentially higher rates than standard Feed-in Tariffs; create a new revenue stream. | Opportunity to become a preferred buyer for local generators, fostering stable supply relationships. |
| Local Energy Purchasing | Supplement your own generation during shortfalls by sourcing from other local P2P sellers at better rates than grid import. | Access locally generated renewable energy directly from community members or other businesses, often at costs lower than traditional retail tariffs. |
| Price Control | Set your own selling price for surplus energy, optimising returns based on market conditions. | Negotiate or select buy prices from P2P sellers; gain more control over energy expenditure and hedge against retail price volatility. |
| ESG Enhancement | Demonstrate leadership in clean energy generation and proactive participation in the shared energy economy. | Verifiably source local renewable energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and showcase commitment to local community and sustainable practices. |
| Community Connection | Become a local energy provider, supporting neighbours and other local businesses with your clean energy. | Directly support local renewable energy generators, strengthening local economic ties and community resilience. |
THE JOUSTO & LOCALVOLTS PARTNERSHIP
A POWERFUL ALLIANCE FOR YOUR ENERGY SUCCESS
Jousto has partnered with Localvolts, an Australian-owned, authorised electricity retailer that operates a transparent peer-to-peer electricity marketplace. This strategic collaboration combines Localvolts' innovative trading platform with Jousto's expertise in energy management and automation.
Localvolts provides the marketplace where you can buy and sell electricity, set your own prices, and choose your trading partners. Their platform offers complete transparency, with all charges and earnings passed through without markup.
Jousto enhances this experience by:
- Conducting comprehensive energy audits to identify P2P opportunities
- Providing strategic advice on optimal trading approaches
- Configuring your buy and sell preferences to align with your business objectives
- Implementing energy automation solutions that dynamically respond to market signals
- Offering ongoing support and optimisation to maximise your benefits
Together, we deliver a seamless, end-to-end P2P energy trading solution that makes sophisticated energy management accessible and beneficial for your business.
P2P ENERGY TRADING IN ACTION
Discover how different businesses and communities are leveraging P2P energy trading to achieve their goals.
MULTI-TENANT BUILDINGS
Building owners with rooftop solar can sell energy directly to their tenants. This provides tenants with access to cheaper, green energy and allows the building owner to recoup their solar investment more effectively.
Learn More
BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS TRADING
Businesses with large solar installations can sell excess energy to neighbouring businesses with limited roof space or higher energy demands, creating localised industrial energy ecosystems.
Learn More
COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECTS
Community energy initiatives can use P2P trading to allow members to directly trade their share of generated energy or for the project to sell surplus to the wider local community or businesses.
Learn MoreFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No, you don't need solar panels to participate! While businesses with solar can sell their excess energy, any business can join as a buyer. Through platforms like Localvolts, you can purchase energy directly from local solar producers, often at rates more competitive than standard retail tariffs. This gives all businesses access to potentially cheaper, greener energy without the upfront investment in solar infrastructure.
P2P energy trading utilises the existing electricity grid infrastructure for the physical delivery of energy. When you buy energy from another participant, the electricity still flows through the traditional grid network. What changes is the commercial arrangement – instead of purchasing exclusively from a retailer, you're buying directly from other generators.
Localvolts, as an authorised electricity retailer, manages all the necessary interactions with the grid operators and market systems, ensuring compliance with regulations while enabling the peer-to-peer transactions. Network charges (the cost of using the grid) are transparently passed through to participants.
Localvolts operates on a transparent fee structure based on your business's annual imported energy consumption. For business customers in South Australia, the daily fees (inclusive of GST) are:
- Category 1 (Up to 40 MWh/year): $1.32 per day
- Category 2 (>40 MWh to 100 MWh/year): $2.42 per day
- Category 3 (>100 MWh to 160 MWh/year): $3.52 per day
- Category 4 (>160 MWh/year): $3.52 per day, plus 1% of the value of the imported energy
These are platform access fees; the actual cost of energy consumed will depend on the prices achieved in P2P trades or the wholesale spot market. All other charges (like network fees) are passed through without markup. Jousto can help you understand these costs in the context of your specific business and calculate the potential net savings.
Jousto enhances your P2P trading experience in several key ways:
- Energy Audits & Strategy: We analyse your current energy usage patterns and develop a tailored P2P strategy that aligns with your business objectives.
- Platform Setup & Configuration: We handle the technical aspects of joining Localvolts and configure your buying or selling preferences for optimal results.
- Intelligent Automation: Our energy automation systems can dynamically adjust your consumption, storage, or generation in response to real-time market signals, maximising financial benefits without requiring constant manual oversight.
- Ongoing Optimisation: We continuously monitor your P2P performance and refine your strategy as market conditions or your business needs evolve.
- Education & Support: We demystify the P2P process, providing clear explanations and responsive support throughout your journey.
Essentially, Jousto transforms what could be a complex technical undertaking into a straightforward, managed service that delivers tangible benefits for your business.
Yes, Localvolts operates as an authorised electricity retailer serving residential and business customers across multiple states, including South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania.
Jousto's P2P energy trading services are available to businesses throughout these regions, with particular expertise in the South Australian market. The specific regulatory frameworks and network tariffs may vary slightly between states, but the core benefits of P2P trading are accessible across these territories.
If you're interested in P2P trading for your business, contact Jousto for a consultation specific to your location and circumstances.
READY TO REVOLUTIONISE YOUR BUSINESS ENERGY?
Take the first step towards a smarter, more efficient, and more rewarding energy future. Contact Jousto today for a personalised consultation.
CONTACT JOUSTO
Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you explore how P2P energy trading can benefit your business.
Phone:
0489 261 333
Email:
Visit Us (By Appointment):
185 Morphett St, Adelaide
Service Area:
Our SME division services South Australia.
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Your solar system might be underperforming. Here's how to optimize it with automation.
Introduction: The Convergence of Clean Energy and Smart Technology
The increasing adoption of residential solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicles (EVs) is revolutionising how energy is generated, stored, and used in the home. However, without intelligent coordination, these technologies often operate independently—missing key opportunities for efficiency and cost savings. This is where smart energy automation steps in.
Smart energy automation enables homeowners to manage all aspects of their energy ecosystem—generation, consumption, and storage—from a single, intelligent control system. By integrating solar PV systems, home batteries, EV chargers, and smart appliances, these solutions can optimise energy flows in real time.
This blog explores how smart energy automation is reshaping home energy management, covering its core concepts, technologies, market-leading products, key benefits, and challenges. It also outlines the companies and systems driving innovation in this space.
Main Concepts and Applications of Smart Energy Automation
Intelligent Energy Flow Management
At its core, smart energy automation is about managing where and when energy is used, stored, or exported. A smart energy system might decide to:
Power appliances directly from solar during the day,
Store excess energy in a home battery,
Use stored energy at night or during peak tariff times,
Or schedule EV charging based on solar availability.
This approach maximises self-consumption, reduces electricity bills, and improves energy independence. Solutions like SolarEdge Home enable dynamic control over energy sources and consumption, allowing the home to become a self-sustaining energy hub.
Optimised Charging and Discharging
Smart automation can optimise the charging of batteries and EVs to occur during:
Peak solar generation,
Off-peak tariff windows,
Or ahead of forecasted high-energy use periods.
For example, Home Assistant users commonly set up automations that delay battery charging until overnight rates apply or only charge the EV when solar production is high. This results in dramatic cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
Load Management and Prioritisation
During grid outages or when battery charge is low, load prioritisation ensures critical devices (like medical equipment or fridges) continue to run, while non-essentials (like pool pumps or entertainment systems) are shut off.
SPAN smart panels take this further by giving users appliance-level control over circuits. This kind of granular management extends battery backup time and ensures business-critical or life-critical systems remain online.
Remote Monitoring and Control
Mobile apps and cloud dashboards give homeowners complete visibility into their energy system:
Solar output
Battery charge levels
EV charging status
Appliance usage
Apps like mySolarEdge or the SPAN Home App allow real-time insights, system control, and even adjustments from anywhere in the world. This remote capability turns energy usage into a data-driven, user-friendly experience.
Key Technologies, Companies, and Smart Energy Products
Smart Inverters and Power Optimisers
Modern smart inverters go beyond energy conversion—they communicate with batteries, EV chargers, and home automation platforms. Market leaders like SolarEdge offer DC-optimised technology with panel-level performance data and control.
These inverters are crucial for coordinating how solar power is used:
To charge batteries,
To run home loads,
Or to supply energy to the grid.
Battery Storage Systems
Batteries are the foundation of energy independence. Popular home battery solutions include:
Tesla Powerwall
LG Chem RESU
Alpha ESS
BYD
SolarEdge Home Battery
These batteries store solar power during the day and release it when needed—especially useful during peak tariff periods or blackouts. SPAN smart panels are compatible with 90% of these systems, highlighting the value of interoperability in the smart home energy space.
Smart EV Chargers
Smart EV chargers schedule vehicle charging when:
Solar generation is high
Electricity prices are low
The battery is full and exporting to the grid would be wasteful
SolarEdge Home EV Charger and SPAN Drive integrate directly with solar and battery systems to minimise charging costs and allow homes to "drive on sunshine."
Smart Electrical Panels
Traditional electrical panels are being replaced by intelligent control centres like:
SPAN Smart Panel
Leviton Smart Circuits
Lumin Smart Panels
These panels enable:
Real-time appliance-level insights
Remote control of circuits
Smart energy scheduling
Seamless integration with solar, battery, and EV systems
SPAN, for example, uses PowerUp technology to intelligently manage the addition of high-demand devices (e.g. EV chargers, heat pumps) without overloading home infrastructure.
Home Automation Platforms
Platforms like Home Assistant offer DIY-savvy homeowners a way to integrate and automate:
Solar inverters
Battery systems
EV chargers
Smart thermostats
Weather data
Time-of-use tariff schedules
Reddit and GitHub communities are rich with custom automations, enabling everything from solar-forecast-driven battery charging to real-time load shifting.
Benefits of Smart Energy Automation
1. Cost Savings
One of the top reasons homeowners adopt smart energy systems is to reduce electricity bills. By charging batteries and EVs at optimal times, avoiding peak tariffs, and increasing self-consumption, families can save up to 60% annually (as reported by SolarEmporium in Australia).
SPAN further supports cost saving with dollar-based energy insights tied to real utility rates, allowing homeowners to make informed adjustments.
2. Increased Energy Independence
A fully integrated solar, battery, and EV system can operate with minimal grid interaction—especially when paired with smart automation. Brands like SolarEdge and Alpha ESS enable homes to function as standalone energy systems, dramatically reducing exposure to rising utility costs or power outages.
3. Grid Resilience
Beyond the home, smart energy automation can help support the broader grid. Through programs like demand response or vehicle-to-grid (V2G), homeowners can sell surplus energy or reduce demand during peak periods.
This decentralised energy sharing model contributes to a more stable, decentralised, and renewable-friendly energy grid.
4. Environmental Impact
Smart automation ensures that solar power is used first, reducing the carbon impact of home energy. EVs charged via solar instead of grid electricity result in a net-zero driving experience, while prioritising battery storage over fossil-fuel-supplied grid energy can cut emissions significantly.
5. Backup Power and Outage Protection
Automated battery management provides critical load protection during blackouts. SPAN and SolarEdge systems allow users to prioritise circuits so essentials like lights, medical devices, and internet remain functional for hours—or even days—without the grid.
Challenges and Considerations
Initial Investment Costs
A major barrier to adoption is the high upfront cost of solar panels, batteries, smart panels, and EV chargers. Although the ROI is strong over time, affordability remains a challenge for many households.
Government rebates and incentives help reduce this burden, but adoption may be slower among lower-income groups until costs fall further.
System Complexity
Smart energy systems can be complicated, particularly when integrating devices from different manufacturers. Proprietary ecosystems like SolarEdge simplify this, but for those building custom systems, ensuring compatibility and proper configuration can be overwhelming.
Cybersecurity Risks
As homes become more connected, cybersecurity becomes a concern. Protecting access to energy controls, consumption data, and system settings requires:
Encrypted communications
Strong passwords
Frequent firmware updates
Homeowners should be mindful of choosing reputable vendors with clear security protocols.
Regulatory Factors
The economic return of smart energy investments is often influenced by local grid policies—like feed-in tariffs, net metering, or limits on battery discharges. Changes in policies (e.g. California’s NEM 3.0) can significantly affect ROI.
Installation and Maintenance
Smart systems must be installed by certified professionals, especially when involving high-voltage equipment. Maintenance of solar arrays, battery calibration, and software updates require ongoing attention to keep the system performing efficiently and safely.
Different Solutions and Approaches
1. Integrated Ecosystems (e.g., SolarEdge Home)
These "one-brand" systems offer:
Seamless compatibility
Centralised monitoring apps
Unified warranties and support
However, they may limit flexibility and lock users into a single brand ecosystem.
2. Custom Component-Based Systems
Using platforms like Home Assistant, users can build tailored systems using best-in-class components from multiple vendors. This offers flexibility, but requires more technical expertise.
3. Smart Panel-Centric Systems (e.g., SPAN)
Smart panels act as the brain of the system, connecting all appliances, batteries, and renewables into one central control platform. They simplify upgrades and provide high visibility and granular control.
4. Utility-Driven Programs
Energy providers like Oncor are investing in smart grid technologies and incentive programs that reward homeowners for reducing demand or integrating clean energy. These programs often include rebates or discounts for installing smart batteries and EV chargers.
The Central Role of Smart Electrical Panels
Smart panels have emerged as a critical control hub in modern homes. With real-time visibility, remote circuit control, and compatibility with renewable systems, they:
Enable efficient load prioritisation,
Reduce installation complexity,
And increase safety through overload detection and smart fuses.
As homes get smarter, the electrical panel becomes the nervous system of energy flow.
Home Automation Platforms: The Power of Personalisation
For tech-savvy users, platforms like Home Assistant offer unlimited control:
Automate battery charging based on solar forecasts,
Sync EV charging with off-peak grid pricing,
Control HVAC based on room occupancy and solar availability.
These platforms turn homes into truly intelligent energy ecosystems, often outperforming proprietary systems in flexibility and innovation.
Conclusion: The Future of Residential Energy is Intelligent
Smart energy automation is not a future concept—it's happening now. Homes with integrated solar, batteries, and EVs are already realising huge benefits in:
Cost savings,
Energy resilience,
And sustainability.
As technology advances, expect greater use of AI and machine learning to predict demand, optimise schedules, and deliver even more efficient systems. The rise of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech will allow EVs to play a role in national grid support. And as prices drop, these systems will become accessible to more homeowners around the world.
The home of the future is smart, connected, and self-powered—and smart energy automation is what makes it all possible.
⚡ Ready to Make Your Home Smarter, Greener, and More Cost-Efficient?
If you're looking to take control of your energy future—cutting costs, boosting efficiency, and increasing your home's independence—smart energy automation is your next step. Discover how you can seamlessly integrate solar, battery storage, EV charging, and more into one intelligent system.
👉 Explore smart energy solutions now at Jousto and unlock the power of automation for your home.
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