By James Clements, Director of Net Zero Property at Wattwatchers
When you think of good design, you might picture the latest fashion, furniture or gadgets (perhaps the candy-coloured iPhone 16). So, how on earth could design play a role in advancing us towards net zero? Design is much deeper than just how something looks or works, it can actually shape our thinking. Over the past few decades, our ideas about what ‘design’ is have developed quite a lot—with designers now shaping strategy in C-suite and influencing government policy.
As the Director of Net Zero Property at Wattwatchers, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a passionate and dedicated team focused on one mission: to reduce emissions by increasing renewable energy on the grid, and increasing our productivity from this energy. We apply design principles at every level—from cramming functionality into compact devices that fit neatly into switchboards, to ensuring our devices communicate securely with our IT infrastructure and designing intuitive smartphone and web applications.
Recently, our efforts in this regard were recognised at the Australian Good Design Awards, where our Auditor 6MW (designed in collaboration with award-winning product development firm Xentronics) won an Award in Engineering Design. We are now proud to be one of 22 “green tick” winners in this category for 2024, and are humbled to be among such esteemed company. Given sustainability being a central theme across the awards, we’re especially delighted that our technology is being recognised as a design for good, leading the charge in driving meaningful change.
A Tool for Smarter Energy Use
The Auditor 6MW, and the ecosystem of services that it enables, are a key enabler of Australia’s move toward a smarter, cleaner, and fairer energy future. Proudly Australian-made and manufactured, the Auditor 6MW is an IoT-enabled electrical energy monitor designed to help homes, industries and governments seeking efficient and cost-effective ways to manage their energy consumption and carbon emissions.
A compact yet powerful tool, this device can monitor up to six electrical circuits simultaneously, while the sleek design allows it to integrate seamlessly into existing systems. Beyond simple energy monitoring, the Auditor 6MW allows users to remotely control key circuits and equipment, empowering load shifting to off-peak times to optimise energy consumption and reduce grid demand.
It provides a research-based, multi-disciplinary solution, to address the demand for real-time power consumption data and automation, bridging the gap in energy management where traditional systems have fallen short.
The Team
A Push for Accessible Energy Management
One of the key challenges in optimising energy use and achieving net zero emissions is ensuring that energy management solutions are not only available, but also accessible to everyone. To truly make an impact, we need to eliminate barriers that make energy management overly complex, expensive, or restricted to large-scale operations.
At Wattwatchers, we believe that good design is the key to accessibility. The Auditor 6MW embodies this principle with its non-intrusive, low-cost installation and seamless integration with existing electrical systems, including renewable energy sources like rooftop solar and battery storage. Unlike traditional metering solutions that often require expensive overhauls and are restricted by network providers, the Auditor 6MW offers both Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity, allowing it to be deployed in diverse settings. User-friendly, affordable and adaptable, this device empowers individuals, businesses, and industries alike, to take part in our energy revolution.
However, energy management isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For businesses, it’s not just about collecting data but delivering the right insights to the right stakeholders. Decision-makers need accurate, real-time information tailored to their needs—whether it’s facility managers optimising operational efficiency, sustainability officers tracking emissions, or financial teams measuring cost savings. The Auditor 6MW supports this flexibility, providing detailed, role-specific reporting to streamline decision-making processes.
Supporting Industry Standards and Beyond
As sustainability standards evolve, industries across Australia are under growing pressure to demonstrate their sustainability credentials and deliver on Net Zero, not just for regulatory compliance but also for enhancing operational value and future-proofing their businesses. For property owners and those responsible for energy management within organisations, the ability to not only meet but also prove compliance with key sustainability standards—while hitting bottom-line efficiency targets—has become a strategic imperative.
With its capacity to provide transparent, real-time energy data, the Auditor 6MW is precisely the kind of solution needed to support this growing push. It embodies broader contextual design thinking and enables multi-disciplinary collaboration that empowers organisations to stay ahead of stringent sustainability standards.
These devices provide precise, actionable insights that empower businesses to make smarter energy decisions to meet increasingly stringent ESG requirements and comply with mandatory reporting standards such as the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS), NABERS, Green Star, and GRESB.
Designing a Sustainable Future for Everyone
Achieving net zero relies on applying design at many levels—from system design to policy design. It’s about never losing sight of the big picture, not just the things we do, but how we do them. The widespread adoption of smart, accessible technologies is just part of this picture. Good design plays a critical role in ensuring that these technologies are easy to use, scalable, and adaptable to a variety of environments. The widespread adoption of devices like the Auditor 6MW promises substantial energy savings, improved grid stability, and better resource management for enterprises and governments in our push toward sustainability.
Wattwatchers
Wattwatchers is committed to accelerating the transition to a smarter, simpler and cleaner energy future. With a diverse range of energy data products and services, Wattwatchers empowers their customers to manage energy more effectively, lower costs and achieve sustainability goals. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and data analytics, they help solve a wide range of energy challenges for homes, businesses and industries.
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