New Energy Platform Boosts Home Battery Payback by $1,500 Annually
1komma5°, a company dedicated to transforming buildings into climate-neutral energy solutions, has recently launched its innovative energy optimisation platform in Australia, coinciding with the surge in home battery installations. The company claims that its new system could potentially enhance the payback period for home batteries by as much as $1,500 annually.
During an event held in Melbourne, 1komma5° Australia presented Heartbeat AI as a new tool designed to enhance the value of homes equipped with solar and battery systems. This platform is designed to manage and optimise a household’s entire energy ecosystem, covering everything from hot water systems to electric vehicles.
Smart Alternatives to Traditional Energy Solutions
The company positions Heartbeat AI as a modern alternative to standard virtual power plant (VPP) schemes. Unlike traditional VPPs that follow retailer directives, this platform optimises decisions based on the specific needs of individual home battery systems. According to 1komma5°, “The system utilises real-time data on wholesale electricity prices, weather patterns, and grid demand to autonomously determine the most advantageous times to store, utilise, or sell household energy.”
Importantly, homeowners are not required to alter their behaviour; once set up, Heartbeat AI continuously operates in the background, executing thousands of energy trading decisions each day.
A New Player in the Australian Market
This German-based company, backed by notable investors such as Porsche Ventures and a founder of Tesla’s European division, made its entry into the Australian market in late 2022 by acquiring a controlling share in Natural Solar, a company based in New South Wales that focuses on solar and battery sales and installations.
Since that time, 1komma5° has expanded through several acquisitions, including the micro-inverter installer Solaray Energy in 2023, and the home energy and air-conditioning service Kozco Energy Group in 2024.
The company’s objective is to provide an all-encompassing energy ecosystem that integrates both software and hardware solutions, including a stackable battery that connects to the wholesale energy market via its retail partner Amber Electric.
Maximising Battery Efficiency Without Homeowner Involvement
For those who prefer not to manage their energy systems closely, 1komma5° offers comprehensive control, fine-tuning the AI to match each household’s unique energy consumption patterns. By implementing this technology, 1komma5° asserts that Heartbeat AI can significantly reduce the payback period for batteries, achieving potential savings of up to $1,500 yearly compared to conventional energy setups. Existing customers with a 1komma5° solar and battery installation will benefit from Heartbeat AI at no extra charge.
In Europe, Heartbeat AI currently oversees over 60,000 connected devices, accounting for an impressive 600 megawatts (MW) of capacity across countries such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Here, the platform has contributed to an estimated €36.6 million in cumulative household savings.
Future Prospects and Industry Changes
The platform’s reception in Australia remains uncertain, especially as households typically keep their energy assets under close watch. With the federal government rebate programme now exceeding 250,000 home battery installations, the introduction of Heartbeat AI comes at an opportune moment. Adjustments to the rebate, set to take effect in just two months, will reduce the discounts available for batteries exceeding 14 kWh.
As the industry anticipates increased activity in the coming months, with households eager to maximise the advantages of the current rebate structure amid rising fossil fuel prices, speculation abounds regarding potential adjustments to the battery incentives in the forthcoming federal budget.
1komma5° Australia’s CEO Luke Stonach remarked, “With Heartbeat AI, we are at a pivotal point for home energy in Australia. The market has seen a substantial investment in solar and battery solutions, yet many systems are not performing to their full potential. Heartbeat AI transforms a battery from a static piece of equipment into an active contributor in the energy marketplace, optimising cost reductions effortlessly.”
The company highlights that its fully integrated system requires no behavioural change from homeowners, a crucial factor as the July launch of the federal government’s Solar Sharer Offer approaches, which promises free electricity for at least three hours each day.
Stonach noted, “Most battery installations involve separate purchases for hardware, software, and market access from different companies. When issues arise, accountability may be lacking. Heartbeat AI was designed to function seamlessly with our hardware from the outset, allowing for genuine savings rather than theoretical ones, alongside industry-leading warranty support.”
1komma5° is operational in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, and South Australia, maintaining local installation teams. They also have a showroom in Abbotsford, Melbourne, where potential customers can experience the complete integrated system first-hand.
