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    

[Toot]

Hi there, hope you are well.
Can i pls kindly ask someone to please check my Battery Rewards Plan plan details? . Basically something happened after the plan change, and instead of showing $800 sign up bonus its now showing $200 sign up bonus paid in May.

Regards

Andy

[Pen_AGL]

Hi @Toot 

Upon reviewing your account, I can confirm that the $800 sign-up bonus is scheduled to be applied on your bill after March 1, 2027, following the completion of 12 months on the plan, in line with the terms and conditions.

[rejul333]

Hi, I have been with AGL Battery rewards plan for nearly a year. I am very happy with all the credits I received from AGL. 

However, like most customers, I have recently purchased an Electric vehicle and it was too costly in this plan to charge my vehicle during winter. So, I had to move to AGL Night saver EV Plan. Now I realise that as we are moving to spring season, my solar production is rising, but since the FIT is too low, I have no choice but to save extra power in my battery and use it to charge my vehicle.

I am wondering if AGL has any plans to introduce low rates during 1200AM to 0600AM (similar to night EV plan) in the Battery rewards plan to cater the rising share of EV customers?  Because if there is, I am happy to export extra power during peak hours(0500PM to 0900PM) and charge my vehicle overnight on cheaper rates. 

[SolarVaulter]

@rejul333 

I’m happy to see if there’s a way to help optimize your system.

What size solar and battery do you have?

I assume you can’t charge your EV during the day? 
What size battery does your EV have and do what is the typical state of charge after a day of driving for you?

cheers

@SolarVaulter

[rejul333]

I have 14.5KW panels, 32KWHH Battery, Single phase 16KW of inverter capacity, export limit to grid at 8.33KW/hr.

Prefer to charge EV during night at the rate 7KW/hr.

EV battery capacity 58KW,  charging full around 3 times a week. So after usual drive 3 times a week, EV is at around 50% charge. 

[SolarVaulter]

@rejul333 

If you can charge your EV during the day from your solar and do that on most days then you will have more to export from your battery and maximize the peak feed in rate between 5pm and 9pm. Depending on the state you live in solar feed in will only be 2c or 3c so makes sense to charge your EV during the day.

Would you be able to do this ?

[rejul333]

I'm unable to charge during the day @7KW/hr as I arrive late in the evening.

So what happens usually is, I am storing excess power to the battery during the day and charge (between 12AM and 6AM) the vehicle ( discharge battery upto 50%) in the night, plus use low rate power @8c/KW through AGL EV Plan.

But it seems I am unnecessarily using large battery capacity every time I am charging my vehicle. So a lower rate power at night would be the best choice for people like me during late autumn, winter and early spring season, but would be happy to discharge my battery for a higher FIT in Battery rewards plan. 

I'm not worried in summer as in Victoria, we have plenty of solar power generation until around 8.30PM. Also charging vehicle in summer morning also works for me.

[Lester]

@rejul333 it's hard to get 'it all' in one package.
With the EV (we have 2 to charge here) and the Night Saver EV plan is probably best because it lowers the EV running cost to a very low figure as compared to running an ICE vehicle.

You save probably quite a bit a month, we save about $600 a quarter in what petrol used to cost us.

Personally I would not charge a high capacity battery in an EV with a much smaller home battery.

Keep the home battery for running EVERYTHING else and make sure you use NO grid power, especially through peak tariff times.
Let it export FIT even at the lower rate (you don't mention the FIT you get), that will bring the daily supply charge down a little at least . . . here in SA it's a pitiful 1c FIT.

I guess you know you can top off the home battery at the EV rate too if ever needed on bad winter days etc.

Maybe another small way to offset cost is to sign up for Peak Energy Rewards, you can get a $5 credit for hour long events and or $10 credit for 2 - 3 hours events.

This is still fairly new, and not a lot happening with it often as yet (at least here in SA), but it might help a little more too.

[SolarVaulter]

@rejul333 

Just a couple of things to consider;

- if you charged your EV every day then you will spread the battery load and not need to drop its charge by 50% each time. This would then allow you to export more during the peak FIT if you were still on the Battery Rewards Plan.

- the problem with the EV plan you are on is that you don’t really have the opportunity to reduce your bill to zero because of the daily supply charge. 
- if you were on the Battery Rewards Plan then I would do this - charge my EV every day, export during the peak period (5-9pm) but leave enough battery charge to get you through the night until the sun comes up and the solar then supports your home usage.

Hope this helps.

cheers