Turning old tech, into smart tech

For most people, the words ‘renewable energy transition’, usually bring three things to mind: solar panels, solar batteries and electric vehicles. But as you might have guessed, there’s a whole lot more to it than that.

It’s a major undertaking of modernising infrastructure, reducing fossil fuel reliance, and managing supply-demand requirements as climate extremes put pressure on the grid. In short, it’s a complicated and expensive endeavour, and businesses need help to keep up.

That's where DNA Energy, recipient of a Help Fund climate-smart innovation grant, comes in.

Founded in 2019, DNA Energy exists to help turn possibilities into realities. They’re on a mission to help businesses embrace new tech without breaking the bank, allowing them to not only better manage and measure their energy use, but monetize it, too.

“Our customers have so much desire to do better” Daniel Barber, co-founder of DNA Energy shares, but there’s a knowledge gap, a policy gap, and a financial barrier that holds businesses back. “Our mission is to enhance technology... to fill that gap” says Daniel.

“You want to save the world? We’ve got our capes on.” Says Daniel, “We’re built for this”.

Making the transition happen for businesses is complex, Daniel explained. “The problem is that a business has a whole bunch of stuff that uses energy. They’ve got air conditioners and refrigeration, they might have pumps and solar and batteries... they’ve got all this stuff going on, and the [appliances] don’t talk to each other. They can’t talk to each other.” It's a limitation that leaves businesses vulnerable to the volatility of the grid; struggling to keep up with fluctuations in energy demands, and effectively manage power usage and costs.

But DNA Energy has the solution. Why not make old tech behave like new tech? Rather than ripping everything out, which could cost businesses thousands, DNA Energy takes all the appliances and uses their technology to make them behave as if they're new.

Think of it like a smart home device that coordinates lights to turn off or on at set times, or switch the kettle on when you ask it to. In the same way, DNA Energy enables appliances to speak a language that allows them to communicate with a virtual energy grid, otherwise known as a Virtual Power Plant, to help manage energy flow, reduce reliance on the grid at peak-demand times, and contribute excess energy (usually stored in a battery) back to the grid for compensation. It’s a win-win for businesses and for the environment.

UnitingCare Queensland is a not-for-profit organisation delivering health and social care services across the state, including aged care services where the continuity of power supply is critical to resident safety and comfort.

Across several sites, increasing grid instability and extreme heat events present growing challenges, from being able to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures to ensuring essential, life‑saving equipment remains operational, as well as managing volatile energy costs.

To address these challenges, UnitingCare Queensland is partnering with DNA Energy on a climate resilience project involving the installation of demand management technology on cooling systems. This technology allows energy use to be better managed during periods of peak demand and network stress, while reducing reliance on diesel generation, improving visibility over energy performance, and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure.

Support from initiatives such as the Help Fund climate-smart innovation grant is critical in enabling organisations like DNA Energy and UnitingCare Queensland to partner together and implement solutions that deliver real impact.

From a sustainability perspective, the project also supports UnitingCare Queensland’s broader Net Zero ambitions, with the potential to integrate additional assets such as hot water systems, solar and battery storage over time.

Currently in the design period, DNA Energy are working through the specific technology and hardware requirements needed in the space, and developing technical documents to mitigate risks. Development is set to begin this month, with future sites to follow. The buzz in the office is palpable.

“Everything we do, has to be purpose driven” Daniel explains, “but getting things approved and getting budget can be really hard.”

When asked about the impact of the Help Fund, “The long-term impact is going to be incredible, because you need companies like NRMA Insurance to say we’re going to back these guys.... that’s how companies like us get a voice and get our product out there to do good stuff.”

At NRMA Insurance, we have a long history of helping communities prepare for, recover from and adapt to extreme weather. Over the years, we’ve partnered with community organisations and worked with governments to champion improved disaster resilience. Help Fund reflects our most recent commitment to support climate resilience in Australia.

Help Fund supports emerging climate leaders, community-led resilience projects and innovative solutions focused on helping communities better prepare for the impacts of extreme weather.

To learn more about Help Fund recipients of the grants and other NRMA Insurance initiatives, head to NRMA Insurance Help Fund.