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Why Smappee’s Updated Data Retention Policy is Excellent News

Why Smappee’s Updated Data Retention Policy is Excellent News

A parking lot indicating a Smappee commercial solution

Smappee has recently updated its data retention policy, reflecting its choice to retain data for longer time periods. Let’s see why this is a fantastic change for energy monitoring and management. And particularly so for Australia’s apartment blocks, businesses, and fleet EV charging applications.

How has Smappee data retention changed?

Smappee already retained data for decent lengths of time. Now, it will keep a more extensive archive for each user. For the Smappee Genius and Smappee Connect / Wi-Fi Connect, the changes in new data retention periods are as follows.

Data intervals:Data retention with old policy:Data retention with new policy:
5 Minute1 month6 months
Hourly3 months1 year
Daily1 year5 years
Monthly3 yearsUnlimited
YearlyUnlimitedUnlimited

Why is this change a great improvement?

This is a big step up in data retention, and it makes it easier to record and assess daily load profiles across all seasons. If you’re a facility manager, this can give you a clearer picture when you’re assessing available capacity for EV charging at the premises. You can use load profiles to:

  • Deliver the best possible charging service
  • Make the best possible use of solar panels and batteries
  • Plan better for future infrastructure, and
  • Minimise the impact on the electric grid.

More historical data simply means better decision making – whether you’re managing EV charging in strata properties, or for your business EV fleet.

A laptop showing energy consumption data using the Smappee platform, located at the Stone & Wood Brewing Co.
Stone & Wood Brewing Co in Byron Bay can easily access their energy and EV charging data to make savvy management decisions.

How Smappee Infinity helps

If you’re looking to make smart decisions about EV charging, the modular Smappee Infinity system puts you in charge when it comes to power monitoring and smart control. Here’s how.

For new EV infrastructure

Are you evaluating a building’s or premises’ capacity for EV charging infrastructure? It will really help to first build up an accurate assessment of the past 1-3 months of energy patterns. With Smappee Infinity, you can better understand how much capacity is left over after typical energy consumption is taken into account. You can also see whether an upgrade to the supply for the building would actually be required.

It typically costs less than $3,500 to have a Smappee Infinity system installed at the main switch board of your premises. Doing so could help you make smarter decisions about charging infrastructure, so this can be a relatively small (yet wise) investment.  

For existing EV infrastructure

Of course, if you’re using Smappee for a commercial or public setup then you’ll be using Smappee Infinity to monitor and manage EV charging. Real-time and historical data can be accessed from either your online dashboard or the smartphone app.

Depending on your setup, you can use your Smappee data over time to maintain overload protection and dynamic load balancing of the EV chargers. Smoother charging and better power management at your premises is good news for everyone.

Unsure about your next step for commercial EV charging?

You may be planning to install EV chargers for the first time, or wondering about the best way to go about upgrading. Vista Power Technologies can assist. We can help you build or develop the ideal EV charging system for your premises right across Australia. To get started, just get in touch with our team.


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The Ultimate Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Australia

smart ev charger home fleet 20

The Ultimate Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Australia

As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow in Australia, the demand for accessible and reliable EV charging stations has never been higher. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about electric vehicle charging stations in the land Down Under, from the different types of stations available to their locations and benefits.

A Quick Overview of Electric Vehicle Charging

Before diving into the details, let’s first establish a basic understanding of electric vehicle charging. EV charging stations, sometimes referred to as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), provide the necessary power to charge an electric vehicle’s battery. Charging stations can be found in various public locations, as well as installed at homes and workplaces.

There are three primary levels of EV charging:

  1. Level 1 Charging: This is the slowest form of charging, using a standard 120-volt household outlet. It provides about 3-6 kilometers of range per hour of charging.
  2. Level 2 Charging: This method uses a 240-volt power source and is the most common type of charging for homes and public locations. Level 2 charging provides approximately 20-30 kilometers of range per hour of charging.
  3. DC Fast Charging: Also known as Level 3 charging, this method uses direct current (DC) to charge EV batteries at a much faster rate, providing around 100-200 kilometers of range in just 30 minutes.

Now that we have a basic understanding of EV charging let’s dive into the world of charging stations in Australia.

Types of Charging Stations in Australia

There are several types of charging stations available in Australia to cater to the diverse needs of EV owners. Here are the most common types:

  1. Public Charging Stations: These stations are located in various public areas such as shopping centers, parking lots, and highway rest stops. They often provide Level 2 and DC Fast Charging options to accommodate a wide range of electric vehicles.
  2. Destination Charging Stations: These stations are typically installed at popular destinations like hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. They provide EV owners with a convenient way to recharge their vehicles while enjoying their visit. Smappee EV charging stations, for example, have been installed at the Stone and Wood Brewery in Byron Bay (see Project), offering visitors a unique and sustainable charging experience.
  3. Home Charging Stations: Home charging stations are designed for private use and are typically installed in a garage or driveway. They offer Level 1 or Level 2 charging and allow EV owners to charge their vehicles overnight or during off-peak hours.

Charging Networks in Australia

Several charging networks operate throughout Australia, providing EV owners with a seamless charging experience. Some of the most popular networks include:

  1. Chargefox: Chargefox is Australia’s largest EV charging network, with over 1,000 charging stations across the country. Their network offers a mix of Level 2 and DC Fast Charging stations, allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles quickly and conveniently. Chargefox has also integrated with Smappee chargers, offering a smart and efficient charging solution.
  2. Tesla Superchargers: Specifically designed for Tesla vehicles, the Tesla Supercharger network provides fast and reliable charging for Tesla owners. These stations are strategically located along major routes, enabling long-distance travel with minimal charging stops.
  3. ChargePoint: ChargePoint is another popular charging network in Australia, offering a variety of charging options, including Level 2 and DC Fast Charging stations.

Benefits of Using Public Charging Infrastructure

Utilizing public charging infrastructure offers numerous benefits for EV owners:

  1. Convenience: Public charging stations are strategically located to provide easy access for EV owners, making charging on-the-go a hassle-free experience.
  2. Speed: Speed is another significant benefit of public charging infrastructure. With Level 2 and DC Fast Charging stations readily available, EV owners can recharge their vehicles much faster than relying solely on Level 1 charging at home.
  3. Accesibility: As the number of public charging stations continues to grow, EV owners will have more options for charging their vehicles, no matter where they travel within Australia.
  1. Sustainability: By using public charging infrastructure, EV owners are actively contributing to a greener, more sustainable future by reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

How to Find Charging Stations in Australia

Locating charging stations in Australia has never been easier, thanks to various apps and websites designed to help EV owners find the nearest charging point. Some popular options include:

  1. PlugShare: PlugShare is a comprehensive global database of EV charging stations, with a user-friendly app and website that allow you to search for charging points based on your location or route.
  2. Chargefox App: The Chargefox app enables you to find charging stations within their network, providing real-time information on station availability and charging status.
  3. Tesla’s In-car Navigation: For Tesla owners, the in-car navigation system automatically calculates the most convenient charging stops based on your destination and remaining battery life.

Smappee Chargers: Smart Charging for a Better EV Experience

Smappee’s line of smart chargers, including the Smappee EV Wall, offer a superior charging experience for EV owners. With features such as load balancing, energy monitoring, and integration with solar power systems, Smappee chargers ensure efficient and eco-friendly charging.

In addition, Smappee chargers are compatible with various electric vehicle models, including popular options like the BYO Atto 3, Tesla, and Nissan Leaf. By choosing a Smappee charger, you’re not only investing in a smarter charging solution but also contributing to a more sustainable future.

In Conclusion

Australia’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure is rapidly expanding, offering EV owners more options and convenience than ever before. By understanding the different types of charging stations, the popular charging networks, and the benefits of using public charging infrastructure, you can make the most of your electric vehicle experience. And with innovative charging solutions like Smappee chargers, you can ensure that your EV charging is efficient, sustainable, and smart.

So, go ahead and explore the world of electric vehicle charging stations in Australia and join the growing community of eco-conscious drivers. The future of transportation is electric, and it’s never been easier to be a part of it!


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ACT Sustainable Household Scheme and Smart EV Charging with Smappee

Smappee EV Wall Solar Charging System
Smappee EV Wall Solar Charging System
Smappee EV Wall with Home Energy Monitoring and Optimised Solar Charging

Some amazing news if you own residential property in the ACT: The Sustainable Household Scheme is now live!

This brand-new State Government initiative provides zero-interest loans of between $2,000 to $15,000 to eligible households in the ACT, designed to help homeowners invest in energy efficient home upgrades. These loans are provided through loan partner Brighte and can be made payable over 1-10 years with no fees or interest, excluding $4.99 late payment fee. With the pilot program now launched, now might be the perfect time to invest in smart EV charging for your home.

Which home upgrades does the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme cover?

If eligible, you could take a 0% interest loan out for:

Category A: Energy generation, storage & EV charging​​​  Category B: Replacement of gas or inefficient electric appliancesComing soon: Category C : Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Household rooftop solar PV systems
Household battery storage systems
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure
Electric heating & cooling systems – reverse cycle
Hot Water Heat Pumps (HWHP)
Efficient electric stovetops

Currently, you can choose to bundle options from categories A or B up to a maximum loan of $15,000. And if you need to upgrade to 3-phase power to support these new systems, you could also choose to include this upgrade within your 0% interest loan amount.

What’s the right EV charging system for my home?

You can search the Scheme’s website to request quotes from different providers (including us!) and request quotes for EV charging infrastructure.

One brilliant option is the Smappee EV Wall, which supports solar-only or solar-optimised EV charging, home energy monitoring and smart scheduling to suit your driving needs. This system also enables load-balancing if multiple chargers are installed. The European-designed Smappee EV Wall looks great and it’s very flexible in its settings. For example, you could choose to simply plug and charge; limit and track usage via RFID cards; or even monetise your charging station if you so choose.

Example of the Smappee dashboard reporting card showing solar only charging for a Tesla Model 3

What are some ways I could save money over time with the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme?

  • Make the most of feed-in tariffs with a new rooftop solar system
  • Save on petrol costs by driving an electric vehicle (EV)
  • Maximise your savings from solar power through optimised EV charging
  • Minimise your heating, cooling and cooking costs so you receive smaller power bills
  • Capture your solar panel production for use at night with a battery system.

The Sustainable Household Scheme is set to be open to new applications for five years, but consider the advantages of acting early. By locking in today’s prices with a 0% interest loan, you could potentially pay off your home upgrades far sooner through those cost savings. Sounds smart to us!

How do I get started?

Head on over to the Brighte website to find eligibility details and suppliers in your area. There’s also a handy buyer’s guide to investing in an electric vehicle charging system for your home, and full terms and conditions can be found at the official ACT Sustainable Household Scheme website.

Of course – if you have any questions for our team at Vista Power Technologies about EV charging or home energy monitoring, simply get in touch.

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Developers Combine EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee

EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee EV Wall

Developers Combine EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee

EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee EV Wall
Smappee EV Wall with Home Energy Monitoring and Optimised Solar Charging

Residential developers around Australia are capitalising on the demand for smarter, more sustainable homes – and they’re using one neat little box to achieve both. Smappee EV Wall combines EV charging and energy monitoring capabilities in one sleek yet richly-featured system. It’s proving an ideal option for freestanding homes and multi-unit developments alike.

Why are sustainable features becoming so popular with home buyers?

The demand for smart and sustainable homes is on the rise. Energy efficient homes can fetch higher prices: around 2.4 or 9.4% higher respectively for a six- or seven-star rated home, compared to a three-star home. Home buyers are increasingly aware of both the environmental and cost savings that a sustainable home can bring. It simply makes sense that developers would meet this demand. However – until recently it’s been a complex endeavour to include both energy monitoring and EV charging within new homes.

Smappee EV Wall is changing this. This small, attractive system barely takes up a small 30cm square on a wall and complements any architectural style. It looks great – but it’s what’s under the hood that has Aussie developers so invested.

What’s different about Smappee EV Wall?

This European-designed charging station is unique in its design and functionality. Whether you’re an architect, builder or developer, consider these features for your new builds. Your clients and home buyers are sure to love the benefits.

Optimised charging with solar power and off-peak rates

As an electric vehicle is plugged in to charge, the Smappee EV Wall can use Artificial Intelligence to optimise charging from solar power (if the building is equipped) and when the lowest electricity tariffs apply during off-peak times. Because the system can charge up to seven times faster than a regular socket, this supports faster charging when costs are lower. Smart charging schedules can be fully customised based on the home buyer’s lifestyle and driving needs, using the Smappee app or dashboard.

Example of the Smappee dashboard reporting card showing solar only charging for a Tesla Model 3

Cost energy analysis and energy monitoring

Home buyers will be pleased that they can monitor their charging sessions, energy consumption, production and costs in real time through the app or dashboard. This makes it simple for households to keep their energy usage and costs low, adjusting settings to suit their preferences.

The Smappee EV Wall is fitted with overload protection, which means blown fuses won’t be a concern when charging a vehicle from home. The equivalent model for commercial applications, called the EV Wall Business, can also support dynamic load balancing for both overload protection and solar-only or solar-optimised charging. This system is ideal for multi EVSE installations.

Because the EV Wall comes with an integrated Smappee Infinity system, this can also be set to monitor and control power consumption across the household. The system will also be expandable in the future to include water monitoring.

Example of the reporting included with the Smappee smartphone app

Multiple activation options to suit different development types

The Smappee EV Wall is incredibly flexible for residential homes because it offers multiple activation options.

Smappee EV Charging Session Types
Session activation method options available on the Smappee dashboard

Plug and charge

If the plug and charge option is chosen, the system will be set to simply activate when any electric vehicle is plugged in. Anyone can plug their car into the charger and start charging. This activation method best suits applications where the charging station will be installed inside a garage or a private parking area. This method can be used with either simple charging or with smart charging enabled.

Swipe and charge

Swipe and charge provides access via an RFID card and gives greater control over who can use the charging station, enabling you to install a station in a shared area or on the front wall of a garage. Anyone with an authorised Smappee Smart Charge Card can plug in their car and wave the card in front of the light to start charging. This can be invaluable if you need to keep ‘freeloaders’ from using the system; for example, in the carpark of an inner-city apartment block. The RFID cards can also be linked back to each user to track usage or calculate billing.

Tip: For multiple charger installations such as in a hotel, motel or large carpark, the EV Wall Business and EV Base provide ideal capabilities.

Scan and charge

This third option enables the homeowner to monetise their Smappee EV Wall. Anyone with an electric vehicle can choose to plug in the connecter and scan a QR code to start charging, using an app to pay by Mastercard or Visa. The homeowner can choose to provide discounts right up to 100% for certain users. Scan and charge involves setting up a payment agreement via Smappee, so the homeowner can receive any payments periodically.

Homeowners can also switch between activation methods to suit their needs. For example, if they have a charging station outdoors at their holiday home and don’t want anyone using it while they’re away, they can simply disable the system. If they forget to flick it back off at the end of their holiday, no problem – they can control the system remotely!

Remote monitoring and EV charger control

When residential developers install a Smappee EV Wall in a new home, they can promise convenience to whoever buys the property. The resident will be able to use the Smappee app or dashboard to control the state and output of their charging system from anywhere with internet access. They can remotely start and stop charging, control the speed of charging, and update smart charging schedules to run at optimal times. The Smappee app is intuitive and designed to support both simple and advanced customisation.

Integration options for home automation

The Smappee ecosystem supports an exciting range of possibilities for home automation. Certain charging stations, thermostats, appliances and battery storage systems can be connected with the Works with Smappee network. The ecosystem also supports integration with third-party systems using IFTTT, Home Assistant, and some custom code on a Raspberry Pi.

No ongoing app reporting or control costs

Developers can install Smappee products without any concern about locking the home buyer into costly subscriptions, because there are no ongoing reporting or control costs involved. Once the system is installed, the resident is in control and can access their energy usage and controls via the Smappee app or dashboard. There is no subscription fee for Smappee users.

The Smappee EV Wall station can be installed in under an hour and works with any typical electrical supply, including 1-phase power up to 7.4 kW or 3-phase up to 22 kW. It’s available with a Type 2 socket, or a tethered 2.5m or 8m type 2 charging cable to suit a range of parking scenarios.

Most importantly, it provides future-ready EV charging & energy monitoring for long-term value.

The Smappee EV Wall is a simple, smart and sustainable way to help your properties stand out in the market

To discuss solutions for your development project within Australia, contact the team at Vista Power Technologies on 1300 878 287. We’re equipped to support implementations of any size, from single homes and townhouses to high-density buildings.


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Save Through Smart EV Charging with Smappee Infinity

Smappee EV Wall Solar Charging System
Smappee EV Base Commercial EV Chargers with Automatic Load Balancing

Australia, let’s get smarter about using solar and off-peak power to minimise the costs of EV charging

Anyone who owns or is interested in electric vehicles (EVs) probably knows that the running costs can be significantly lower than vehicles running on petrol, diesel or LPG. Servicing requirements for electric motors can also be minimal compared to internal combustion engines, which translates to further cost savings for owners. That being said, there are still big opportunities – and exciting ones at that – for EV owners to further save with smart charging, both in charging costs as well as in an environmental sense.

First, let’s consider Australia’s changing power environment

Liquid fuels have served a purpose as an easily transportable source of energy for many years. They allowed for significant growth during the industrial revolution and made many industries that we rely on today possible. The impact to the environment, though, has been less than desirable, and the practice of using fossil fuels as a primary source of energy in industries is simply not sustainable.

With improvements in battery technology we’re now seeing a shift where renewable energy can be stored and used on demand, along with the ability to use other less damaging forms of fossil fuel such as coal to indirectly power automobiles. With the progress of renewable energy production including wind, solar and tidal power being implemented across the world, our reliance on coal is also reducing and this will continue over time.

Where EVs come into the picture

Australian households and businesses are increasingly starting to look to electric vehicles as an effective way of reducing reliance on damaging fossil fuels. It’s been calculated that the carbon emissions of an EV in Australia could be around 18% lower than those of a fossil fuelled car when using average grid electricity. When we add in the factors of renewable energy and battery technologies, these can lead to even lower emissions. Just ask New Zealand, whose EV emissions could be 62% lower than those of fossil fuelled cars because so many of the country’s energy sources are renewable.

Smart use of renewable energy can also have serious benefits for the hip pocket

Where EV owners are producing the renewable energy themselves, for example using solar panels, each owner stands to significantly save on their charging costs. In addition – owners can use their smart charging system to only charge at off-peak (and therefore low-cost) times from the grid, further slashing their charging costs. Smart EV charging simply makes sense!

Smappee Infinity provides a revolutionary solution when it comes to smart EV charging

By installing a Smappee Infinity system, users can optimise the use of self-produced solar power and also prioritise using lower-cost off-peak power, to maximise the already-significant savings that can come with owning and operating an EV. Here’s how.

Smappee offers flexibility for smart EV charging. By integrating directly with Smappee’s new EV Base or EV Wall chargers, or supported third-party chargers, the Infinity system together with the Genius gateway can dynamically change the charging output to maintain a manageable rate of charge.

Current third-party EV chargers that integrate directly with the Smappee Infinity system are as follows:

  1. EVBox
  2. GreenFlux

Maximised self consumption of solar power

Planning to use surplus solar power to charge your vehicle? Using its smart metering technology, the Infinity system can monitor the level of solar power exported to the grid and vary the EV charger output to only use excess energy.

Prioritised use of off-peak (and low cost) electricity when solar power is unavailable

Wake up to an ideally charged vehicle and a lower bill! Where the site operates on time-of-use electricity tariffs, the Infinity system can review the current and future electricity rates and prioritise the use of off-peak power to complete charging to a user defined level, e.g. 100km by 7:30am.

Demand management to protect site or circuit overload

The Smappee smart EV charging feature also includes demand management capabilities. This means that it will limit the amount of power the EV charger can draw to ensure the site does not exceed its overload limit. This is ideal in the case of running an EV charger at the same time as other electrical appliances and lighting, or where multiple EV chargers are installed with a combined maximum load which is greater than what the supply (main circuit breaker) can support.

Direct switching of EV chargers and other appliances

In addition to Smappee’s smart EV charging feature allowing for dynamic load control, users can also directly switch power to their charging station or other household appliances. This is possible with the Output Module used to control switching of whole circuits, or the Switch (16A) which plugs in to the power point and provides both control and monitoring capabilities.

Using this method will still allow users to automate the use of excess solar for charging and other purposes, however, it would not have the capability to vary the load on an EV charger.

So why choose Smappee Infinity for smart EV charging?

Understanding your energy

Not only can you keep track of exactly how much power your EV is using and the associated costs, but you’ll also be able to gain many other insights into energy usage. The Smappee Infinity system can monitor all of your electrical loads providing a detailed consumption, production, and cost analysis, allowing you to fully understand how your home or business is interacting with energy.

Controlling your EV charger & other circuits or appliances to maximise savings & revenue

You can open up a world of management and integration possibilities. The Infinity system is capable of controlling individual appliances with the Switch and whole circuits with the Output Module. Control can be managed manually or automatically via the smartphone app, or with third-party integrations including IFTTT, Home Assistant, and custom MQTT (IoT) based applications.

For example, you could choose to only run your water heater with export solar during the day and off-peak power overnight through an in-app automation. Or using IFTTT and a Sensibo smart A/C controller, you could reduce the temperature in your home when solar export is above a certain level. Tech savvy individuals could also create their own control conditions using the Home Assistant application, or develop their own application installed on a home PC or Raspberry Pi.

Saving on energy costs and maximising revenue from export to the grid

By utilising the above smart control capabilities you could significantly maximise your cost savings associated with installing a solar system or EV charger. And by utilising self-produced solar power production, you can minimise the amount of electricity being exported to the grid at the low feed-in tariffs currently offered by most traditional electricity retailers.

In addition to cost savings, there’s also the possibility to increase revenue on electricity exported to the grid. By signing up to an electricity retailer offering wholesale rates you could choose to reduce consumption when the price of electricity is high, increasing export to the grid and being paid at the equivalent feed-in tariff. When you consider the price of electricity can reach levels as high as $15 per kWh for short periods during the year, there’s a significant opportunity to take advantage of this and generate revenue with your solar system. Who would say no to more free money?

If you’re a home battery owner you can further maximise revenue generated by signing up to a virtual power plant (VPP) program, where you can be paid for the use of your battery during peak demand periods. These rewards are typically in addition to the feed-in tariff offered by the electricity retailers. This article from SolarQuotes provides details on some VPP programs currently available in Australia.

Learn more

Considering EV charger options and identifying ways to maximise savings using some of the smart technologies now available can get a little complicated. If you’re looking to learn more about some of the suggestions and technologies discussed in the above article, feel free to get in touch for more information.

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