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.

[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 ?

[NeilC]

@Lester @Basil_AGL 

Les, yes I heard something about my reward for the 17th June.

Even though I knew I had achieved the task, it took about 3 or 4 days before AGL confirmed it.

I did post a few days ago on another similar forum about the fact that I still did not have the $5 put into my account.

Suppose that having that amount put into my account, must be required to be signed off personally by the CEO Damien Nicks !

Still waiting 53 days now since the event

Thought that I might not have been offered another one due to the fact that we achieved the task.

[Lester]

@NeilC seems like the events are few and far between then, perhaps in it's still real world testing, as there might be some bugs to work out with the recording and payments etc.

As the grid depends more and more on renewables as coal / gas is shunned, these events might get more common.

I read a FB post on an efficient home energy group the other day someone saying the AGL VPP events are the same, that AGL had taken a very, VERY small number of kwhs since they'd been on that, so that seems like it's not really worth taking up, again without even considering the aspects of handing over of battery use / draw to an outside party, cycles increase and possible reduced battery longevity / warranty.

Needs for some grid assistance will probably get more common for those that can sit in the dark or an hour or two, for those with solar only, and solar / battery owners.

I just need to work out what's the best offers for reduction in bill, elimination of bill, for the current moment, and adjust as the market conditions / retail changes more rapidly, as it seems to be doing.

Anyway, after the battery goes in, I should not have to worry too much about the drop in FITs here in SA, or the rise in peak TOU charge for 13 hours a day.

At least the DSC of around $1.20 is still reasonable compared to those of most other states / regions.

[Basil_AGL · Accepted solution]

Hey @Lester & @NeilC, thanks for the questions.

Peak Energy Rewards events don't run on a fixed monthly schedule, and you'll generally see more events during peak demand periods, such as hotter summer days or colder winter days when support for the grid is most valuable.

For Peak Energy Rewards event outcomes and credits, it can take a little time for us to confirm results. After an event, we need to wait for the half-hourly usage data to become available, which is typically around 3-4 days. Once we've received and calculated the results, we'll communicate the outcome via email. Depending on your billing timing, any applicable credit may not always appear on the most recent bill and may instead be applied to a subsequent bill.

For battery offers, eligibility for Battery Rewards Program and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) can depend on the battery you have and the offer itself. As you know, VPP is an add-on rather than an energy plan, so customers may be able to combine it with an eligible plan such as Night Saver EV, or with BRP, depending on eligibility requirements. Not all offers can be combined, so it's worth checking the details before making a decision.

If you'd like help with your participation status, event results, or a credit enquiry, the best place to contact is peakenergyrewards@agl.com.au. The whole PER team monitors that inbox and can investigate account-specific questions, including billing and event queries.

Hope that helps clarify things 😊

[Lester]

Thanks Basil, I'll email the PER team and check I'm still enrolled, and once battery is in and working, will self consume for a time while I check out properly what the best options are.