Current Projects
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.
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
2 December 2019, 5:00PM-6:30PM
Rhythm thinking, climate change and low carbon transition
Blog
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
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
14 August 2017
A new RMIT study finds that ‘smart home’ devices may not be as bright as we thought.
Media
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
05 August 2016
Concern about higher and more volatile gas prices in southern and eastern Australia is spreading.
Blog
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
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
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
12 January 2015
We are seeing oil prices tumble, dipping to less than US$50 a barrel, half the price of a year ago.