Jess Pomeroy
jess.pomeroy@chiavic.com.au
9654 6077
Business case software
CHIA Vic in collaboration with BOOMPower, led the development of a software-as-a-service BOOM! platform that enables community housing organisations to quickly and easily assess the business case for introducing new energy technology, including solar, in their properties.
The software streamlines the journey, from idea through to energy assessment needs, business case development, reporting and procurement solutions.
Assessments via BOOM! can provide tailored business cases for solar, battery storage, hot water, heating and lighting solutions for individual properties. In the future it is envisaged that the platform will assist users to identify social return on investment outcomes, including the health impacts of increased thermal comfort.
The platform, which will be launched in late 2019, will be free for the Victorian community housing sector and is expected to be licensed for other not-for-profit housing providers use. This is likely to include aged care providers and retirement villages.
The development has been funded through Round 2 of the New Energy Jobs Fund, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
Exploring financing options for energy efficiency upgrades
An ongoing issue for community housing organisations seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their properties is that whilst they bear the cost of the upgrades, it is the tenants who benefit from reduced energy bills.
With support from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, CHIA Vic worked with the Victorian community housing sector to identify financing options and business models that would allow community housing organisations to share the cost of their investment in clean energy solutions with tenants.
A legal review of the regulation and legislation in VIC, Tas, NSW, SA and QLD highlighted significant difficulties in tenants contributing to the capital cost of installing energy solutions, despite such an arrangement providing a net benefit to the tenant and the landlord. This is due to the dual restrictions of rent caps of between 25-30 per cent of tenant income (set by the relevant government body) and limitations on what landlords can charge tenants under tenancy legislation.
CHIA Vic identified four options that work in certain circumstances in the current regulatory environment, and a final option that could enable the sector to scale-up the installation of these improvements.
Regulatory change would also allow social housing landlords to create a ‘win-win’ scenario.
Next steps:
Following a positive reception by the organisations involved in the project, CHIA Vic is currently exploring the possibility of a third party entity to manage energy efficiency improvements on behalf of the sector.
If you are interested in being part of this work please get in touch with Jess Pomeroy via email or call Jess on 03 9654 6077.