A new energy company is out to change the environment, both the natural environment as well as the environment surrounding the control and supply of power, and have the North West New England in their sights.
Enova Energy is more of a “social enterprise” than a power supply company, and have already made an impact in northern NSW, while a major enterprise in Albury is now also on board.
The company was founded in 2016, and according to Chair Alison Crook is looking to lower the cost of energy by aiming to decentralise power creation and supply to allow communities to become self sufficient with a focus on renewables.
Currently Enova are offering power supply the same as any other company, however any excess energy created by a user that goes back into the grid is first used by other users on the Enova grid.
This is done through existing lines and poles using “smart software and meters”.
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The company has also set up a pilot micro-grid in Byron Bay where users share their power and excess power before having to rely on the grid, and are also looking at community owned wind farms, solar gardens, and a series of batteries installed on houses as virtual power plants.
“At the moment we buy and sell energy, but we want to help other regions, not just make super profits,” Ms Crook said.
“Currently our energy costs about the same price as others, but we are active about climate change, and active about communities and keeping money in communities.
“We want to shift the model from remote power sources selling to providers who sell to customers to a circular model where energy is generated, stored and shared in a region so the money stays in the region.”
Customers can either sign up for Enova to supply energy, as well as buy shares in the social enterprise, or both, while the company has a retail arm and a not-for-profit arm, which includes energy coaches that teach households and communities simple methods to reduce energy bills.
“When we are in profit 50 per cent of that money will go back into the community it came from to help everyone shift to renewables, while the other 50 per cent will go to shareholders.”
Recently the foundation Border Trust in Albury signed a partnership with Enova, which has seen the foundation form the Border Community Energy Company.
“Essentially we will be delivering the services with their brand on it, and the foundation will share the profits,” Ms Crook said.
“We are prepared to talk to all communities about what we can do, and what they want to do.”
