Current Projects

What happened to the outside? Exploring ‘nature’ in household retrofit

2021 (ongoing)

This project explores the intersections between household low carbon retrofit, energy vulnerability and local environments to place ‘natures’ more firmly into discussions and governance of retrofit for energy vulnerable households.

Stimulus that retrofits housing can reduce energy bills and inequity too

03 June 2020

Stay-at-home orders and the economic crisis have increased the burden of energy costs on lower-income Australians. Poor housing quality and unequal access to home energy efficiency are hurting our most vulnerable households.

Past Events

Energising Rhythmanalysis with Professor Gordon Walker

2 December 2019, 5:00PM-6:30PM

Rhythm thinking, climate change and low carbon transition

Blog

How can we improve our homes to be energy efficient?

04 October 2019

With rising energy bills the new normal, we need to focus on improving Victoria’s housing stock to help householders adapt. New research in Moreland is exploring the barriers and opportunities householders face in improving their homes.

Blog

‘Smart home’ gadgets promise to cut power bills but many lie idle – or can even boost energy use

14 August 2017

“Smart” home control devices promise to do many things, including helping households reduce their energy bills. However, our research published today suggests that these devices are not the “easy” answer to energy management.

News

Smart home control – is the reality as bright as its promise?

14 August 2017

A new RMIT study finds that ‘smart home’ devices may not be as bright as we thought.

Media

Smart home technology: not the brightest way to save energy

14 August 2017

A new study by RMIT University has found smart home control devices may actually increase energy use rather than cutting it, with households using them more for lifestyle benefits than to save power.

News

New study exposes the sacrifices families make to pay energy bills

11 August 2017

A new report by the Victorian Council of Social Service and the RMIT Centre for Urban Research shows the struggles and sacrifices Australians on low-incomes are making to stay connected to power.

Blog

The National Electricity Market has served its purpose – it’s time to move on

21 July 2017

Despite the creation of a new Energy Security Board to try to hold regulators and policy makers to account, the ability of the present structure to deliver is uncertain.

News

Smart home industry: Do convenience and energy efficiency always go together?

23 May 2017

The smart home is no exception in its ambition for easier living achieved through digital and connected consumerism. At the crux of this idea is the enrolment of internet-enabled devices and appliances in the creation of an even more convenient lifestyle.

Blog

Gas crisis? Energy crisis? The real problem is lack of long-term planning

20 March 2017

If you’ve been watching the news in recent days, you’ll know we have an energy crisis, partly due to a gas crisis, which in turn has triggered a political crisis.

Blog

2017 will be a big year for Australia’s energy system: here’s what to look out for

31 January 2017

2017 is looking like a busy and challenging year across the energy sector and it is the year where many long-festering energy policy problems must be addressed.

Blog

Hot dogs and cool cats: keeping pets cool without blowing your energy bill

16 January 2017

As the weather heats up, Australian households won’t just be cranking up the air conditioning for themselves. Some households will be turning it on for their dogs or cats.

Media

New study examines heatwave health risks on vulnerable households

02 December 2016

As global warming makes heatwaves more frequent, longer and hotter, how do we help households who are most vulnerable to health and financial impacts?

Blog

Sustainable housing’s expensive, right? Not when you look at the whole equation

25 August 2016

Sustainable housing can also have important benefits for some of the most vulnerable members of our community, as the report released this week shows.

Blog

The solution to Australia’s gas crisis is not more gas

05 August 2016

Concern about higher and more volatile gas prices in southern and eastern Australia is spreading.

Blog

The Pears Report: Basslink blues, abatement buy-in

28 June 2016

Is a second Basslink cable the best solution for Tasmania? And with the UN now trading carbon offsets, how can you become a voluntary abater? Alan Pears reviews the options.

Blog

Lessons from APEC’s Low Carbon Model Towns Project

20 June 2016

The APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) project on Low Carbon Model Towns, led by APEC’s Tokyo-based Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) has run since 2011.

Blog

The hidden energy cost of smart homes

13 June 2016

Light globes that change colour with the tap of an app, coffee machines you can talk to, and ovens that know exactly how long to cook your food: our homes are getting smart

Blog

Energy firms are waging a price war they might be unable to win

12 January 2015

We are seeing oil prices tumble, dipping to less than US$50 a barrel, half the price of a year ago.