Enabling Portable Energy Devices and a Renter’s Right to Plug In
A working technical paper on how to get more Australians - especially renters - taking part in the electrification upgrade
Solar panels and batteries (and soon EVs) that can power Australian homes are the standout way to cut energy bills, while also adding more clean energy to the mix and reducing the cost of the rest of the system.
But not everyone is getting a look-in at these benefits.
About 3 in 10 Australians are renters. They are largely excluded from rooftop solar, batteries, and EV charging because landlords have no incentive to invest in or even permit these upgrades.
Renting is just one common reason people don’t invest in permanently installed electrification upgrades. 4 in 10 Australian households have moved in the last five years (including many of the same renters). Even if they’re owner-occupiers, people who know they are likely to move soon often avoid investing in fixed equipment that pays off over years. Additionally, about 1 in 6 households live in an apartment, with limited ability to generate their own energy from rooftop solar - but who could still benefit from the low midday prices for energy if they can move their demand to the right time.
Bidirectional EV charging devices and batteries are becoming crucial consumer energy resources (CER) for households (and for electrification overall). These devices can send energy back into the home and grid, lowering bills and lowering system costs. In particular, because of the large size of EV batteries, empowering renters to access the benefits of bidirectional vehicle charging is an important and significant way to deliver lower electricity bills for a large segment of Australians, flexible energy storage to support a renewable-powered grid, and a fairer and faster energy transition for everyone.
Portable, ‘plug-in’ devices aimed at renters already exist in developed markets. Globally, products like balcony solar are popular in Europe and growing in the USA, while portable batteries are expanding. Bi-directional EV chargers are about to become a crucial home asset, and face a similar set of opportunities and challenges to plug in to a dedicated outlet and operate safely.
Unlocking this category in Australia would:
Give a wider range of Australians access to cheaper, cleaner energy.
Support the grid with flexible demand and local storage.
Deliver equity - renters shouldn’t miss out on savings homeowners enjoy.
The technical issues can be addressed, but will require concerted effort across stakeholders to deliver a solution this side of 2030.
We have been thinking about what solutions could look like, and where the updates need to happen.
Part 1: Enabling low-power CER devices to plug in to existing power-points
In line with overseas examples in Germany and Utah for balcony solar and smaller batteries, we could enable devices up to 1.2kW to be plugged in directly to any existing general purpose outlets (GPOs) within the home.
‘Balcony solar’ is now running in more than a million homes (according to Michael Thomas) with the leadership of the organisation Bundesverband Steckersolar in Germany and now with drafted legislation in 25 US states thanks to the work of Bright Saver.
With the same 230V electricity system as the European devices, there is an opportunity to rapidly make a simple plug-in option accessible to Australians. The simplicity for consumers to adopt this technology makes it an attractive option to improve access to technologies that can slash bills, reduce emissions and support the energy system.
Devices connected must use AS/NZS 4777.2-certified inverters with anti-islanding and leakage protection.
Battery devices must be appropriately designed for portability and tolerance of various conditions.
The constraint on the power output of these devices is considered necessary for safety. However, higher-powered devices, including vehicle batteries, could also play an important role for renter homes. We propose an additional portable category of higher-powered devices and an associated dedicated outlet.
Some questions for discussion
Should these smaller plug-in devices also support IEEE 2030.5 (CSIP-AUS) so that networks can register devices and manage exports? We think it would be better not to. Small export amounts are still permitted under almost all flexible exports. Requiring a local protocol certification would add costs and slow down rollout.
Should these smaller plug-in devices be designed to detect when they are moved to a new location to trigger a registration update with the network? Again, we think this would add cost and overhead that would risk the opportunity to bring the product to the Australian market.
Part 2: A dedicated connection approach for larger, higher-power CER equipment
At 1.2kw, smaller devices can make a huge difference to household bills, especially in apartments with generally low power needs. However, the limits on their power mean that they will still leave high peak requirements from the grid, especially for cooking loads (boiling pasta water on induction at 6:30pm) and heating loads (warming a house overnight in winter).
For households to power through larger demands and contribute more back to the grid to reduce local peaks, it would be valuable to have solutions with higher power ratings that enabled larger batteries and cars to join in.
We could define a safe, standard connection approach for ‘plug-in’ bidirectional devices to operate safely at high power levels (perhaps 7.4kw/32A or even 9.2kw/40A) in Australia based on a dedicated, standards-compliant protected circuit. The states and territories will also need to create a right for renters to install that plug point to allow them to connect their own portable batteries, balcony-type solar, and bi-directional EV chargers.
This solution can use well-established and widely used components and solutions.
The outlet should be installed by a licensed electrician in a garage or car-parking location to enable V2G usage.
Outlet should have a dedicated circuit, protected by a bidirectional-rated RCBO, a high current rating (32A+), and no other loads on the same circuit.
Terminated in a safe IEC 60309 connector.
We propose that these devices should:
Use AS/NZS 4777.2-certified inverters with anti-islanding and leakage protection.
Support IEEE 2030.5 (CSIP-AUS) so networks can register devices and manage exports appropriately - and they can update over internet when someone moves to a new house.
be designed to detect when they are moved to a new location to trigger a registration update with the network.
be appropriately designed for portability and tolerance of various conditions.
This enables an important category of equipment: portable, bidirectional consumer energy resources, suitable for both renters and owners. It may also play a role in enabling better solutions for strata parking.
Below is a summary of existing risks and issues associated with plug-in CER.
Issues and risks to consider
Existing risk analysis
A number of critical risks have been identified (and managed) in overseas contexts. Useful summaries have recently been published in a US context:
What States Need to Know about Plug-In Solar from the Clean Energy States Alliance is a comprehensive introduction
Barriers to Balcony Solar and Plug-In Distributed Energy Resources in the United States is an excellent overview of the wiring issues
Interactions of Plug-In PV with Protection of Existing Power Systems from UL Solutions is another detailed overview of the safety aspects
Several potential risks with this type of equipment are identified:
Touch-safe plugs - conventional exposed metal prongs from bidirectional equipment risk live;
Breaker masking - adding power from a bidirectional device through normal power points behind circuit breakers can overload the wiring in that part of the home;
Bidirectional ground fault circuit interruptors - if a battery is added to a normal household circuit, not all circuit breakers are designed to work in both directions.
Additionally, we have noted some key risks that we see arising in the Australian context:
CER registration - distribution networks need more visibility of household CER to manage constraints, and devices that move to a new location need to be re-registered to be managed appropriately
Power capacity and local orchestration - especially when adding a battery or V2G equipment, the total home load needs to be communicated to the device to help it avoid overloading the switchboard and reduce grid demand peaks
Connection and plug touch safety
One of the basic safety features of electrical equipment is that the metal prongs of the plug are always on the ‘dead’ side of the circuit. Exposing the metal prongs of a ‘live’ electrical device risks electrocution and is avoided wherever possible. However, for bidirectional CER equipment, this isn’t possible - the wall side and the CER side can both be live.
This requires careful consideration of the physical connection to be used.
Device plugs should be covered when not in use, and designed so that the pins cannot be energised except when fully mated to a compliant outlet. Ideally they should also be recessed. This ensures safe handling during transport and storage.
Recommended management for low-power devices: use standard Australian plugs, and ensure anti-islanding protections deliver touch safety, as in overseas jurisdictions.
Potential management for high-power devices: IEC 60309 (AS/NZS 3123) industrial connector: The male plug end on the device is shrouded to provide touch-safe protection, with anti-islanding on the device helping to reduce the risk of those shrouded pins while the plug is not inserted in the outlet.
Alternate interlock plug requirement: A higher safety standard could be provided by IEC 60309 plugs with mechanical interlock, meaning the plug can’t be physically removed unless the switch is in the ‘OFF’ position. For example the Clipsal 56 series.
Currently permitted isolator termination: Current regulations already require an isolator near the inverter device (unless it’s within 3m of the switchboard), making it simple for a licensed electrician to disconnect and remove the device. However, this forecloses the possibility of a homeowner safely uninstalling the device themselves and adds hundreds of dollars of cost for a minimal contractor callout.
This additional requirement on equipment manufacturers could affect availability of equipment, and the effectiveness of existing 4777.2 anti-islanding requirements should be explored as an alternative risk management approach that would better align to faster market development.
Breaker masking & overcurrent protection
Backfed current can prevent breakers tripping, risking overheated wiring. This is discussed in more depth in an article considering the safety implications of the German plug-in model at https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2132, and includes this useful diagram.
If the battery or other device providing power is on a circuit between the breaker and the load, the wiring between them can become overloaded and overheat.
In Germany, where the decision was made to pursue a solution for home users to plug in devices to standard existing outlets, this is an important risk. This has been managed in Germany by limiting devices to just 0.8kW output, limiting the potential amperage increase to 3A (at 230V), which is within the tolerance limits of the wiring standard. This enables the use of devices that can simply plug in to any outlet within the house.
Circuit power capacity
A dedicated circuit rated at least 32A (approx. 7.2kW) is the ideal target for larger bidirectional equipment. This capacity is sufficient to service most peak household loads (cooking, heating) and delivers meaningful EV charging speeds, while remaining compatible with standard residential switchboards.
Switchboard-inverter communications
A larger bidirectional device needs to know whether the home is pulling from the grid or not so that it can adjust output to comply with export requirements, and to respond efficiently to prices. This means larger devices must have a communication link to the switchboard, and a data cable for Modbus RTU signals is already standard practise, but the actual protocol used is not specified.
Developing an interoperable protocol for this connection is a key outcome of the currently open AS 5438:2026 proposed standard. There are important questions about the physical connection to deploy here, and the standard notes that Wifi connectivity could be an option under heading 3.2, which would be much simpler for a renter installation scenario. If you agree, register and leave a comment!
Grid safety (anti-islanding)
Risk: CER could energise exposed prongs on a plug-point. CER could also energise a dead grid in blackout.
Management: Only 4777.2-certified inverters permitted - all have automatic anti-islanding shutdown.
CER registration
Currently, bidirectional devices must be registered with the DNSP by a licensed installer and configured with a fixed export limit, typically 5kW. But an important upgrade to grid communications is underway that should remove this barrier for plug-in devices.
Under the Common Smart Inverter Profile - Australia (CSIP-AUS 2030.5), distribution networks like Ausgrid and SA Power Networks are deploying online servers that deliver Dynamic Operating Envelopes (DOEs) directly to inverters that define how much they are allowed to import or export based on live grid conditions. If grid safety and export limits can be managed securely over the internet rather than through hardwired configuration, plug-and-play CER becomes viable.
This makes the plug-in scenario much more plausible. Rather than requiring an installer visit, a renter could register the device online, and the device would connect to home Wi-Fi to receive its operating envelope via CSIP-AUS. This ensures networks retain visibility and control while keeping the barrier low for renters.
The registration process must also handle relocation. When a renter moves house, the device needs an updated registration to operate within the constraints of the new location. The device should detect when it has been moved — for example, any time it is islanded (unplugged) — and prompt the user to confirm or update their address. Until confirmed, the device would default to zero export. Additional signals like time offline and changes to local Wi-Fi networks could improve location-change detection.
Other issues / FAQ
Installation
More work needed on cost estimates. May be between $500-$1,500 for a dedicated circuit and protected outlet. This would be a significant impact on the business case for small batteries or solar, but still likely to provide value for bidirectional charging.
3-phase homes
Some homes have 3-phase power, which could deliver higher power loads. However, installing a 3 phase outlet will not be compatible with single phase equipment. To ensure that renters can in fact “BYO equipment’, the plug and installation should use a single phase outlet.
Discussion question
Is there a way three phase devices could be supported? Is it necessary?
Landlords and renters: who pays for what?
Smaller plug-in devices offer a fast and user-friendly way for renters to access some of the benefits of solar and battery flexibility.
The process of enabling larger devices like V2G chargers brings in more complexity.
The addition of a new outlet for bidirectional devices is a one-off investment. The immediate benefit of the investment will go to the renter via reduced energy bills. The landlord may benefit when a new lease is signed or the property is sold from higher rent or sale price.
An important aspect to consider is whether the landlord, who owns the property and benefits from the permanent installation, or the renter, who benefits immediately from the upgrade, should bear the cost of installing the outlet.
In the near-term (this decade), it is likely that bidirectional charging and EV ownership will be associated with higher-income and higher-means renters.
It may be acceptable for some time, in the context of these higher-means renters, to expect landlords and renters to mutually consent to the electrical work required, likely at the cost of the renter.
A next step could be a requirement on landlords not to unreasonably refuse changes of this kind to the electrical setup.
Over time, the ability to use modern energy devices should be considered a basic entitlement for rentals, along the lines of requirements to permit pets or add hooks to hang paintings.
renters: Right to request installation of a compliant plug-in point. Costs borne by the renter (with subsidies to help catalyse market and rollout). Portable devices remain renter property.
landlords: Cannot unreasonably refuse; may benefit from property value uplift. Outlet can remain or be blanked at lease end.
Building codes: This type of outlet should become a part of minimum requirements in new buildings.
Regulators: Update tenancy law to mirror existing “right to request” provisions (e.g. minor modifications, EV charging in strata).
Pathway
Step 1 (2026-27): Standards Update
Amend AS/NZS 4777.1 & 4777.2 to permit bidirectional devices to use a prescribed connector as well as explicitly recognise portable plug-in CER.
Clarify AS/NZS 3000 to allow dedicated circuits for bidirectional CER equipment with approved safe outlets as specified in 4777.
Require certified inverters and bidirectional protection.
Step 2 (2027+): Product Rollout
Manufacturers release renter-friendly portable batteries and V2G EVSE, certified to 4777 + 2030.5.
Early adoption by owners who want to opt for portable equipment, or by mutual consent of renters and landlords.
Step 3 (2027+): Tenancy Law and Building Code Reform
Effect a “renter’s right to plug in” into state/territory legislation; landlord approval cannot be unreasonably withheld if installation is compliant.
Enable requirement for landlord to fund of this upgrade (and similar necessary upgrades, eg switchboard replacement) with widely available concessional financing support (check out Rewiring Australia’s EELS proposal)
Add the plug standard to NCC requirements for EV-ready buildings
Key Takeaway
A renter’s right to plug in is a low-cost, high-impact policy. It:
Uses existing proven standards (4777-certified inverters, IEC connectors, RCBOs, IEC 60309 plug connections).
Requires appropriate operation of 2030.5 and CER registration updates
Extends clean energy savings to renters and younger more mobile Australians while protecting landlords, networks, and safety standards
Delivers widespread system benefits with load shifting arbitrage explicitly driven by grid optimisation and not just solar self-consumption.
It means we can give one-third of Australian households a fair go in the clean energy transition.