Find all the answers you need to start your electrification journey at the Go Electric Open Day. Photo: Rewiring Australia.
As an engineer, chief scientist at Rewiring Australia and a veritable electrification “nerd”, the highlight of Dr Saul Griffith’s electrification journey was electrifying a vintage 1966 Vespa with his teenage son.
“It was very symbolic in a way. He tore out the little combustion engine and got to learn how the past worked, and then we reassembled the future in this beautiful vintage motor scooter. We celebrated the end of the fossil fuel part of its life and gave it a rebirth as a vehicle now running on sunshine,” he says.
“It was a very rewarding and personal moment but had this larger hopefulness to it. We can appreciate where we came from, appreciate the coal miners who kept the lights on for the past 100 years, and thank them, and at the same time, attune a new generation to the possibilities of the future.”
But not everyone needs to transform a vintage vehicle to have their own electrification moment. In his new book, Plug In: The Electrification Handbook, Dr Griffith offers a roadmap for everyday Australians to start swapping fossil fuels for cleaner, cheaper electric alternatives, one appliance, one car, one home at a time.
Designed as a practical guide as much as a hopeful manifesto, Plug In distils Griffith’s years of research and advocacy into clear steps and simple decisions households can make to cut costs and carbon at once.
“I hope it makes it easier to have a conversation with a family member. I hope it democratises the ideas more, expresses the economics in a way that resonates with real households, not only the people who listen to TED Talks,” he says.
“I really want to figure out how we make tradies the heroes of this transition, because at the end of the day climate action involves calling in a tradie to make a modification to a house.”
Fittingly, Dr Griffiths launches the handbook at the Go Electric Open Day this weekend, where he will be in conversation with author Claire O’Rourke (Together We Can).
Expect displays of the latest EVs and e-mopeds, build and race your own solar car and enjoy induction cooking demonstrations and expert talks. Photo: Rewiring Australia.
This free community event offers practical guidance on electrifying homes and transport, featuring expert-led sessions on solar energy, electric vehicles and home batteries.
Attendees can also explore a range of the latest EVs and e-mopeds, build and race their own solar car and enjoy live induction cooking demonstrations.
The event will be MCd by Kate Dezarnaulds, and feature special guest speakers including MP Alison Byrnes, Councillor Jess Whittaker, Wollongong University Energy Futures Network director Professor Ty Christopher and Endeavour Energy’s Professor James Hazelton.
Local chefs and tradies will also give demonstrations and expert advice.
“It doesn’t matter what piece of kit you have in your house, whether it be your car, stovetop or water heater, running it off electricity is cheaper than running it off gas,” Dr Griffiths says.
“You might have to finance the upfront cost, but we’ve done modelling that shows households going all electric can save $4000 a year. These are bullet proof investments — in both the climate, and your energy bills.
You don’t need to do it all straight away, either — quite the contrary.
“To coin a dad joke, when it dies, electrify,” Dr Griffiths says. “Has your 20-year-old water heater died? Is your car ready to blow? A good goal is to electrify the main machines in your house as they retire.”
The Go Electric Open Day takes place from 9:30 am to 2 pm this Sunday 22 June at Club Thirroul, 2B Station Street, Thirroul.
