The nation’s first utility company to use 100 per cent renewable energy set up shop this week in Adelaide, South Australia.

ZEN Energy has emerged from an already existing company in Adelaide, Zen Industries, which is a storage and solar business.

With assistance from Zen Industries,  a range of domestic and commercial on and off-grid renewable energy applications are being provided by ZEN Energy, in a variety of areas.

However the company is now aiming to make use of battery storage, solar power generation and localised energy grids in order to allow communities to be self-sustained.

These communities will also be able to buy back the power they generate. 

ZEN Energy’s plan to make renewable energy accessible for all

Professor Ross Garnaut, leading Australian economist and Climate Change review author, has been named as the company’s chairman.

He believes the launch will be a game changer, and believes renewable energy should be accessible to everyone.

“All Australians, no matter where they live, should have the opportunity to harness affordable and clean renewable energy,” Professor Garnaut said.

ZEN Energy plans to branch into other forms other renewable energy such as wind power, hydro power and biomass.

“ZEN Energy represents a new and unique model of sustainable power generation, storage, delivery and retailing, and one for which the Australian consumer and the community as a whole stands to benefit,” he stated.

Richard Turner, founder and Chief executive, has a plan to make whole communities free from the grid using 100 per cent renewable energy, ranging from apartment buildings to social housing.

The power generated can then be sold back to users, at a cost much less than the current grid.

Rather than having a flat flee, ZEN Energy wishes for the amount of energy people use to determine the cost.

“We’re looking at a spot in the market very soon where we’re going to be almost half the cost of the grid,” Mr Turner said.

“The economically inefficient way to go is to just charge a fixed charge for being connected to the grid. That’s economically irrational, so how the regulators go in recouping the costs becomes important.”

The solar PV market is booming within Australia, and many believe battery storage will follow in suit.

Professor Garnaut believes ZEN Energy will keep up with the rapidly changing industry, as it has been built for innovation and agility.