How Effective Is AGL’s Peak Energy Rewards? Real Experiences Wanted!

[marilyn55david]

I’ve been considering joining AGL’s Peak Energy Rewards program to cut down on my energy costs, especially during peak times. Before I dive in, I’d love to hear from others in the community! Have you participated in this program? Did it make a noticeable difference to your bill or usage habits? Any tips, surprises, or lessons learned would be super helpful.

[Basil_AGL]

Hey @marilyn55david, 

Firstly welcome to Neighbourhood! 

I myself participate in the Peak Energy Rewards Program and I quite like the objective of trying to hit my targets when it happens.

As you know, AGL’s Peak Energy Rewards is a free, optional program designed to reward you for helping reduce pressure on the electricity grid during peak times. If you have a smart meter and live in VIC, NSW, SA or QLD, you may be eligible to join.

This is how it works:

• Before a Peak Event (usually 1–3 hours), we’ll send you a notification via SMS or app with a personalised energy reduction target.

• If you choose to participate and successfully reduce your usage during that time, you’ll receive a $5–$10 credit on your bill—credited within 7 days.

• You can opt in or out of each event, and there’s no penalty if you don’t participate.

A few energy-saving tips to reduce your energy use during a peak event and in general, consider switching off or delaying the use of large appliances (while staying safe of course!). 

• Run your dishwasher, washing machine or dryer outside peak times (before or after the event).

• Pre-cool or pre-heat your home slightly before the event starts.

• Unplug devices or switch off power boards for appliances not in use.

• If you have solar panels, exporting during a peak event can help reduce your overall energy use from the grid too.

It's a great way to save on your bills, support the energy grid, and make a positive impact—plus, it’s completely on your terms. Let me know if you have any other tips that I could maybe implement too! 

Cheers, Basil 

[HLF]

It is a great idea with rewards you if you alter your energy usage for a short period of time. 

[OneJobDan]

Hey mate, 

Just curious if you can join the reward program if you have a battery. Currently on EV power plan. My battery gets me to midnight, then on a cheeper rate. Was wondering if I’d still be eligible for this, as I don’t draw any power from the grid at peak times. 
kind regards,

Dan 

[Basil_AGL]

Hey @OneJobDan, 

 

If you’re a solar customer, we'll either ask you to export more energy to the grid, or import less energy from the grid. 
 

• If we ask you to export more, this means you’ll need to give back any excess energy produced by your solar panels to meet your reduction target. If you have a solar battery, you may be storing this excess energy. If you don’t have one, excess energy will be automatically exported.

   

• If we ask to you import less, you can adjust energy use by turning off or adjusting appliances at home.

[Richy]

Hi Basel, 
I have just signed up to the Battery Rewards Plan and haven’t seen any info on this Peak Rewards deal, where do I find info and how do I sign up?

[Basil_AGL · Accepted solution]

Hey @Richy ,

Great to hear you've joined the Battery Rewards Plan. Peak Energy Rewards is managed separately, so you'll need to opt in to participate.

To sign up:

1. Visit the Peak Energy Rewards page.
2. Select "Join now"
3. Sign in to your My Account when prompted.
4. Follow the on-screen steps to enrol in the program.
5. Once enrolled, you'll be eligible to participate in Peak Energy Rewards events and earn bill credits when you meet the energy reduction target for an event.

If you run into any issues during the sign-up process, please let us know and we'll be happy to help.

[Richy]

Thanks again Basil, I think I have now successfully enrolled in the program. 

[Basil_AGL]

Great to hear @Richy, you've been able to successfully enrol in Peak Energy Rewards.

To double check that your registration has gone through, you can follow the same process again:

1. Go to the Peak Energy Rewards page. 
2. Select Join now.
3. Sign in to My Account.

If your registration is complete, you should see a message confirming that you're already registered for Peak Energy Rewards, similar to the screenshot below.


If you don't see this message, please let me know and I'd be happy to help further.

[Lester]

Hi @Basil_AGL . . . I'm getting a battery in about 4 weeks, so starting to look into options, as it opens up a wide range of offers in the market.

Can I confirm, the Peak Energy Rewards are available to participate in alongside the Night Saver EV (or any other) plan ?

I think so, as I was somehow automatically put into the PER programme without signing up for it, just received a text for I think the 2nd one in Adelaide, on 17th June. 

I posted about this here . . .
https://neighbourhood.agl.com.au/t5/Energy-Accounts-Plans/AGL-s-continual-changes/m-p/43208/highligh... 

Didn't unsubscribe from it, as is possible, thinking I may try it when events come up.

I have received no further messages since 17th June, not overly fussed, but may participate if there are any rewards on offer such as curtailing solar feed to grid, or uploading X to grid during peak evening needs etc.

In trying to check my participation on that page, I too get the 'Something is not working' message, haven't tried emailing.

Are these events so spaced out ?

7 weeks since that 17th June event text in SA metro ?

I looked at Battery Rewards, but you can't have this AND be on the EV plan (?), nor is a VPP very attractive to me with only $250 / 250kwh cap on annual reward benefit (and some sign up and annual reward for staying on it).
Giving control of a battery to another party is a big ask, especially as the usage is profit / cost reduction driven, and the increasing demand in peak needs as renewable become more needed.

So that just leaves PER on offer from AGL for my situation ?

All input from any interested parties is welcome . . .

@NeilC have you received anything further in the way of events by text since yours on the 17th June ?