Network Charges

The Energy Debate Misses the Point

April 30, 20253 min read

Why the Energy Debate Misses the Point (And What Actually Saves You Money)


The energy debate is heating up again.

Should Australia go all-in on renewables?
Should we invest in nuclear?
Should we rewind to coal or fast-forward to hydrogen?

There’s no shortage of strong opinions.

But here’s a truth that rarely makes the headlines:

Your power bill has almost nothing to do with the type of generation.
It has everything to do with how much energy you use—and how much of it you pull from the grid.

And in places like South Australia, where network charges dominate the bill, that’s the real cost hiding in plain sight.

Let’s look at the reality—minus the politics—and show you what actually works.


💸 Most of Your Power Bill Isn’t “Power”

If you're in SA, you're likely paying:

  • 30–50% of your bill in network charges (poles, wires, infrastructure)

  • Another chunk in retail margins

  • Only a portion for the actual energy itself

So whether that energy comes from a wind turbine, a coal plant, or a nuclear reactor—the moment it hits the grid, you start paying to have it delivered.

And that's the part that hurts.


🧠 What’s the Smart Play? Use the Grid Less.

If you want to reduce your power bill in a real, consistent way—not just argue online—the strategy is surprisingly simple:

  • Generate power onsite (solar optional, but ideal)

  • Store it in a battery

  • Use it when it saves you the most

  • Avoid the grid during peak times

  • Export only when the wholesale market is hot

And here's the best part: you don’t have to manage that yourself.


⚙️ How the Jousto Energy Hub Makes This Easy

The Jousto Energy Hub is the brain that turns your battery, solar system, and energy plan into a smooth, money-saving machine.

Here’s what it automates:

  • Solar sponge charging: Charges your battery from solar or the grid when prices are lowest (usually 10am–3pm)

  • 🔋 Peak-time discharging: Powers your home or business from the battery when rates spike (6–10am, 3–10pm)

  • 📤 Strategic exports: Sends energy back to the grid only when wholesale prices peak—maximising your export value

  • 🧠 Always-on optimisation: Adapts to daily forecasts, prices, and usage patterns without you lifting a finger

You get lower bills, less grid dependency, and a system that quietly works in your favour every day.


🧾 Let’s Talk Real-World Results

You don’t need to wait for a new reactor to be built or a national policy to change.

Smart households and businesses across SA are:

  • Charging their battery at 2–5¢/kWh

  • Avoiding paying 40–50¢/kWh during peak

  • Reducing their grid import by 70–90%

  • Making $200–$1,000+/year just from timed exports

And they’re not doing it manually.
They’re using automation to do it smarter.


🤷 So… Why the Debate About Generation?

We get it—nuclear vs renewables makes headlines.
It’s big-picture, it’s ideological, and it sounds exciting.

But for the average Australian trying to run a household or business?

The best energy plan is simple:
Use your own energy, avoid the grid when it’s expensive, and automate the whole thing.

That’s not politics. That’s just practical.


🛠️ Ready to Save, Not Debate?

We’ll help you:

  • Pick the right battery setup (with or without solar)

  • Automate energy usage around tariffs and market prices

  • Use the Jousto Energy Hub to cut your bill and take back control

  • Quote, install, and support—end to end

📍 SA-based, results-first, no fluff.

👉 Get your custom battery quote here →

Denny Honen is a 20yr Renewable Energy Veteran. Denny is an Accredited solar and battery design engineer, and home energy auditor.

Denny Honen

Denny Honen is a 20yr Renewable Energy Veteran. Denny is an Accredited solar and battery design engineer, and home energy auditor.

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