Introducing the Battery Rewards Plan

[Basil_AGL]

We’re excited to launch our new Battery Rewards Plan— an energy plan designed for customers with home batteries in NSW, QLD and SA who want to make the most of their stored energy.  

By choosing to export energy back to the grid during peak times, eligible customers can earn up to $600 in Digital Visa Gift Cards.^ It’s our way of rewarding smart energy choices that support a more sustainable grid. 

Unlock more value from your battery: https://www.agl.com.au/residential/energy/compare-plans/energy-offer?webid=BRPLAN 

^Prepaid Digital Visa gift cards are allocated quarterly and value varies depending on kWh exported in certain peak times.  Earn a $10 gift card if you export between 1kWh and 50kWh and for every additional 50kWh an extra $10 will be added to the card value – up to a maximum of $400 each quarter.   

T&Cs available at agl.com.au/compare-plans. Basic Plan Information Documents available at agl.com.au/bpid. Prepaid Visa T&Cs available at agl.com.au/bpvisaterms    

[Lester]

An interesting angle on a VPP type arrangement.

700-750kWh over 3 months each quarter is a lot of kWh to come up with through Winter for most.

Each quarter is a $150 gift card, but you might miss out on at least 1 of those, for some with smaller PV / battery, they might only get 1 quarter gift card a year, and have their battery drained a lot through the other 3 quarters.

I feel most people will at least want to know what sort of gift cards they are, straight out debit card that can be spent anywhere, or if specific brand.

2c general feed in tariff is a bit on the low side too.

I feel such an offer would need very careful calculations.

[Basil_AGL]

Hey @Lester, great point you bring up there!

Just so you are aware, the Battery Rewards Plan is a separate offer to our VPP. If you meet the eligibility requirements for our VPP, you can join and start earning more rewards even if you’re already on the AGL Battery Rewards Plan.

In terms of the Digital Vist Gift Cards, they can be used anywhere Prepaid Visa Gift Cards are accepted online and in-store with contactless point of sale terminals. Your AGL Prepaid Digital Visa Card cannot be used as a credit card or linked to any deposit account.  You first need to activate the card, following the prompts in your email or SMS.  Your card will remain valid for 3 years. 

Use of the AGL Prepaid Digital Visa Card is subject to the following Terms & Conditions and Excluded Merchants apply see: agl-battery-rewards-prepaid-digital-visa-card-terms.pdf.

[Lester]

Cheers Basil,

I dug deeper and saw that the rewards were not just for that 700kWh - 750kWh, there are lower tiers too, so any sort of bonus is on top of other benefits one might be on (VPP etc).

Good to know about the card and useful anywhere, much nicer having that option.

I'm guessing AGL are trying various offers to see what people might be more aligned to, maybe after I finish the Solar Grid Savers trial (sans battery) I will look at all on the table for VPP and other such.

Thanks again for the reply.

[prayas]

Thx for this. Are you saying that the rewards will stack. i.e. under VPP says 'AGL is pay $1 for 1kWh exported from 5pm to 9am' (with a cap of 250kWh in a quarter).

Under Battery Rewards, you are tracking and accumulating total exports towards gift cards. 

Does that mean that the exports between 5pm-9pm count towards both ... i.e. $1 under VPP plan and also towards Gift Cards under Battery Rewards?

[Lester]

..

@prayas where are you getting the "$1 for 1kWh exported from 5pm to 9am' (with a cap of 250kWh in a quarter)" from ?

I know things are different in various states / regions, but I'd be flabbergasted to know any get near that, eg Solar Savers pays 8c for first 10kwh a day, then 2c thereafter.

The $150 / quarter offer (up to $600 a year) is pretty good for those that want such a reward.

The 700kwh - 750kwh export per quarter is equal to 7.6kwh - 8.2kwh a day, quite achievable for most average mid size 10kw PV systems even through some winter days.

You'd probably want 20kwh of battery capacity to enable dumping of that (say safe) 10kwh a day, and still have enough to carry you through the usage needs for the evening / next morning before the sun's producing again for you to recharge.

A $150 reward for 700kwh exported a quarter would be equal to 21.4c / kwh.

A $150 reward for 750kwh exported a quarter would be equal to 20c / kwh.

Nothing to sneeze at if you can use it for groceries, other essentials, or even a nice reward of something one just wants.

Based on what I understood, yes that is on top of whatever VPP rate you get normally for exports.

For SA, that appears to be the usual 2c / kwh on this plan.

[prayas]

@Lester 

I am in NSW ... the standard AGL VPP plan in NSW (with $200 sign-on bonus)

(It won't let me post link to the AGL plan)

It says ......

Earn $1/kWh per VPP event

You might need to buy extra energy from the grid if we use your battery. To ensure you come out ahead on your bills, you’ll get an annual credit valued at $1 for every kWh we’ve moved to or from your battery during VPP events.

250kWh annual limit
For peace of mind, AGL will not charge or discharge a total of more than 250kWh from your battery in a year.

20% power reserve
We’ll always leave charge in your battery. 20% for Teslas and you can choose the level for other models in the battery settings.

And then, it seems this stacks-up, if you have the Base AGL plan as that new "AGL Battery Rewards Plan" - with GIFT CARDS - which I asked in my original question. 

Hope this helps. 

@Basil_AGL - please help respond

[Basil_AGL]

Hey @prayas, 

Thanks for that information! I'm going to send you a direct message to get some further account details and share those with the team to look into for you. 

Cheers, Basil 

[prayas]

@Basil__AGL still waiting to hear from you

[Basil_AGL]

Hey @prayas, 

With the Battery Rewards Plan, there are no limits on how much you can export. You’re in control and whenever you export energy to the grid during the peak period (5–9pm), you’ll earn rewards, typically around 20c per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

The VPP offer is an optional extra. If you choose to join, it allows AGL to occasionally take control of your battery to support the grid when it's needed most and in return, you’ll get even more rewards.

Here’s how it works in two scenarios:

1. You export on your own between 5–9pm:
   You’ll receive your usual Battery Rewards rate (~20c/kWh).
2. AGL controls your battery at 6pm as part of the VPP and asks it to export to the grid:
   You’ll get both the Battery Rewards rate (~20c/kWh) and an extra $1/kWh in VPP credits — meaning you’re even better off.

So in short, Battery Rewards puts you in the driver’s seat, and the VPP adds extra value if you want to help the grid and get paid more when you do.

Cheers, Basil