WinZero Virtual Energy Network

A community-led pilot that let solar households share their surplus power with neighbours and local businesses through the existing poles and wires.

The WinZero Virtual Energy Network is closing

Sadly, WinZero has been advised that residential Virtual Energy Network (VEN) trading will no longer be supported by 1st Energy or any other residential retailer after the end of November. This leaves us with no alternative but to reluctantly close our VEN community.

Existing Energy Locals/1st Energy customers can continue their current VEN trades until the end of November, provided their trading partners also remain with the retailer. Community trades will continue to supplement these arrangements until support ends.

What this means for you

Residential participants: VEN trading ends after November.
Businesses with multiple sites: trading options may remain available. Check Enosi's participating energy retailers.
Considering another retailer? Compare plans on the Australian Government's free Energy Made Easy website, or see our renewable retailer of choice.
Planning your next steps? Rewiring Australia's free Electric Saul tool offers personalised guidance on cutting bills and electrifying your home, and our FOSSIL OFF! guide walks you through it.

We are deeply disappointed, but proud of what this community has achieved. Thank you to every participant, QuantumNRG, ReThink Sustainability and Professor Andrea La Nauze for helping demonstrate the potential of community energy sharing. If new retailer involvement makes residential trading possible again, we would welcome the opportunity to return. Subscribe to the newsletter to hear first.

– The WinZero VEN team

How it worked

Energy made local, powered by community

Using Enosi's Powertracer software, solar producers chose who received their surplus energy and set a fair price. Households and businesses without panels could buy local, clean power instead of relying solely on big retailers.

Diagram: traditional energy sourcing from power station to retailer to home

Diagram: integrated energy solution where surplus solar flows through the Virtual Energy Network to neighbours

Generators
Solar households sold their excess energy to people they chose, at rates more favourable than a traditional feed-in tariff.
Offtakers
Renters, cafés and shaded homes bought locally generated solar at competitive prices: no panels needed.
Load shifting
Running dishwashers, washing machines and EV charging in the middle of the day cut costs and eased pressure on the grid.

Case studies