Anne Stuart, I feel you are largely correct in your letter (July 22), but would like to share my thoughts on two issues.
The first is the fixed component of one’s power bill: at present electricity retailers can choose to charge more or less than the supplier (Essential Energy in our case) charges for this fixed service.
When I reviewed my option for retailers, I saw charges between $1.80 to well over $3 a day. The problem with this is consumers find it more difficult to compare retail offerings.
Add to that the different time-of-use times and charges, and it becomes even more difficult.
Hopefully one day AEMO may intervene and make the suppliers fix the daily charge (at supplier + markup) which would make it easier to compare plans.
The other point I would like to clarify is the effect of PV, EVs and private batteries on the grid.
There have been studies undertaken that the grid will accommodate these changes, but there may be requirements to limit things such as EV charging during the evening peak (roughly 5–7pm).
This is easily accommodated with ‘smart’ EV chargers, which can be controlled by the energy retailer.
Most people only need the vehicle in the morning, so there is adequate time to charge an EV.
In time, we will see high current devices such as air conditioners or heating similarly controlled.
South Australia has shown that the grid is resilient, but there will need to be more storage such as batteries and pumped hydro, as well as the resources of consumers with private batteries and EVs being more efficiently utilised.
My current feeling is consumers are not joining virtual power plants owing to mistrust. This needs to change in the future to have a more resilient grid, so retailers need to build this trust by offering better returns for battery owners.
For anyone considering changing retailers, SolarQuotes (a South Australian website) has a tool to compare retail energy offers, and also lists all the current retail offers side by side.
The tool is a bit of a chore, but the ability to look at all offers side by side and even sort on daily charge or power cost is worth a look.
As an ex-Enova Energy coach, I personally use this resource, but have no financial ties to the site: oh, how I miss Enova!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
