EnergyFlex has announced a new research partnership with Monash University, supported through the RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), to develop “Watt’s Next?”—a next-generation artificial intelligence platform designed to help Australian households and small businesses make smarter, more confident energy decisions. The six-month research project forms part of RACE for 2030’s mission to accelerate Australia’s clean energy transition through industry-led research and innovation.
The project will explore a new class of context-aware Decision-Readiness AI, capable of understanding not only a customer’s energy data, but also when they are ready to act.
Unlike traditional recommendation engines or AI chatbots, the platform will combine consented smart meter data, electricity tariffs, household characteristics, behavioural signals and policy settings to deliver highly personalised recommendations that help consumers determine what action to take, when to take it, and why it is the right decision for their circumstances.
The project brings together EnergyFlex’s commercial platform and real-world deployment capability with Monash University’s expertise in artificial intelligence and optimisation to accelerate research translation into practical consumer outcomes.
The six-month collaboration will develop and validate an explainable AI decision engine capable of supporting recommendations such as:
- Optimising electricity plans
- Identifying opportunities for solar, batteries and electrification
- Improving appliance and EV charging behaviour
- Participating in demand flexibility programs
- Taking advantage of available incentives and rebates
The project will deliver a prototype and evaluate recommendation quality, consumer trust, behavioural outcomes and commercial viability through controlled testing and real-world platform validation.
EnergyFlex Chief Executive Officer Garry Harding said the partnership represents the next evolution of the company’s mission to simplify energy for Australians.
“Australians have never had more energy choices, but they’ve never faced greater complexity.”
“Australians have never had more energy choices, but they’ve never faced greater complexity. Our goal is to ensure every household has access to independent, trusted, personalised guidance that helps them make confident decisions throughout their energy journey.”
“This partnership with Monash University supported by RACE for 2030 CRC allows us to combine leading AI research with EnergyFlex’s real-world platform and customer insights to create a new generation of personalised energy intelligence.”
The collaboration reflects the growing role of industry, research and government working together to solve some of Australia’s most significant energy challenges.
Dr. Mohammad Goudarzi, a Systems and AI expert from Monash University, said the collaboration demonstrates the value of bringing together research excellence and industry innovation.
“The future of artificial intelligence will go beyond generating information to understanding context, reasoning over complex data, and delivering explainable recommendations and actions that are efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable at scale.”
“By combining Monash University’s AI expertise with EnergyFlex’s real-world platform and consumer insights, this project has the potential to establish a new benchmark for personalised, cost-effective, and energy-efficient decision support, helping Australian households make smarter energy choices while reducing unnecessary energy consumption and costs.”
Through the RACE for 2030 CRC, the project will investigate how trusted, explainable AI can reduce the cost and complexity of personalised energy advice while supporting greater participation in electrification, demand flexibility and consumer-led energy management. If successful, the research has the potential to establish a scalable, vendor-agnostic decision-support framework that can accelerate Australia’s transition to a cleaner, more flexible energy system.
The project also reflects the direction outlined by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), which has consistently identified informed and engaged consumers as critical to achieving a more flexible, reliable and affordable energy system. By combining explainable AI with personalised energy insights, the collaboration aims to make expert energy decision-making accessible at scale.
The research outcomes are expected to inform future EnergyFlex capabilities, supporting more personalised recommendations that help Australians reduce energy costs, lower emissions and confidently navigate the energy transition.
For more information, visit www.energyflex.com.au
About EnergyFlex
EnergyFlex is an Australian veteran-owned technology company helping households, businesses and communities reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions through personalised, data-driven energy insights.
Using secure smart meter data and advanced analytics, EnergyFlex helps Australians understand how their homes use energy, compare electricity plans, optimise renewable energy performance and build smarter energy habits over time.
EnergyFlex works with developers, councils, financial institutions, energy retailers and community organisations to support the transition to smarter, more sustainable communities.
For more information about EnergyFlex and to sign up, visit www.energyflex.com.au
Download the EnergyFlex app on the Apple or Google Play stores
