Thanks for your feedback and for flagging the issue with the links.

We're currently updating the landing page to make the messaging clearer, particularly around the distinction that customers cannot participate in both a VPP and be on the Energy Allowance Plan at the same time.

Participation in the Energy Allowance Plan does require customers to give AGL permission to remotely coordinate the charging and discharging of their battery during specific events. This capability is what enables us to provide an energy allowance for small daily supply charge. We appreciate that some customers may view this as being similar to a VPP, and that's valuable feedback. We're taking this on board and reviewing our messaging to better explain how the plan works, so customers can make an informed decision about whether it's right for them.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Hi @lilacgerry, 

Thanks for these thoughtful questions. We agree that customers need a clear explanation of the battery control, costs and conditions involved. 

Why we created Energy Allowance 

AGL created Energy Allowance to take the complexity out of energy and VPP products. Rather than customers managing when their battery charges or discharges, AGL manages that for them. 

The allowance is designed to be at least 25% above your estimated annual household consumption. Unless your usage materially increases, this provides a buffer for normal variations. While you stay within your allowance, you pay only the daily supply charge. 

Does AGL control the battery? 

Yes. AGL continually optimises and coordinates the battery, so customers cannot manually choose when it charges or discharges. This is not limited to occasional event windows. That coordination enables us to offer the low daily supply charge. For example, we may precharge your battery from the grid when prices are lower to cover your evening consumption, or use the battery to create value in the wholesale market. 

This is an important trade-off to understand before joining: AGL manages the battery in exchange for the allowance-based arrangement. 

Isn’t that similar to a VPP? 

There is a similarity: both involve AGL coordinating batteries. The difference is the customer’s energy arrangement and responsibility for managing it. 

With our existing VPP offer, customers retain an energy plan with import and export rates, manage their battery outside AGL’s VPP activity, and pay bills based on grid consumption. With Energy Allowance, AGL continually manages the battery, and household consumption within the allowance attracts no usage charges. 

Why is a second meter needed? 

Its purpose is to distinguish electricity your household consumes from electricity used because AGL instructed the battery to charge. 

For example, if AGL charges your battery from the grid, we do not want that activity to count against your allowance. The second meter allows us to separate these electricity flows. It serves this additional measurement purpose alongside your existing smart meter; it is not simply another meter installed as part of the broader digital-meter rollout. 

What does installation cost? 

Standard installation and standard removal when you leave are included in the product. 

Additional work needed to accommodate the meter—such as switchboard or household wiring upgrades—may attract a fee. Any applicable supplementary installation amount must be disclosed and your consent obtained before proceeding. 

Why doesn’t unused allowance roll over? 

We considered rollover when designing the product. The trade-off is that offering rollover would require a lower total annual allowance than customers currently receive across the year. We chose the larger allowance without rollover for this trial. We may consider rollover in future if customer feedback shows it is important. 

The mobile-phone comparison describes the allowance structure, rather than suggesting that all mobile-plan features apply. 

What are the usage rates and export charges? 

While household consumption stays within the allowance, there are no usage charges—only the daily supply charge. This is not restricted to particular event windows. 

Consumption above the allowance is charged at the single rate general usage rate of AGL Standard Retail Contract rates(opens in new window). 

Exports attract neither credits nor charges, whether during or outside AGL’s battery-control activity. 

What does the five-year period mean?