How Amber’s Virtual Power Plant Helps You Profit from Your Battery
Amber Electric’s SmartShift program is a new breed of virtual power plant (VPP) that prioritises the financial interests of the household over those of the energy retailer. Unlike traditional VPPs, where battery control is often ceded to the provider and returns are shared or capped, SmartShift enables your solar battery to respond to real-time electricity market conditions—buying when prices
are low and selling when they surge. Amber passes through 100% of these wholesale trading gains (minus a fixed monthly fee) while giving customers full control and transparency.
If you have a solar battery and live in Amber’s service area, this could be a way to significantly reduce your bills—or even earn income—while supporting Australia’s energy transition.
Understanding virtual power plants
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a system that links together distributed energy resources—mainly solar and battery systems across many homes—to function like a coordinated power station. This collective resource can be used to relieve pressure on the grid during times of high demand, support system stability during outages or disruptions, and enable greater integration of renewables by balancing energy flow.
When you join a VPP, your battery can be charged or discharged according to the needs of the broader grid. In return, you may receive credits, feed-in payments, or bill savings. However, the structure and generosity of these benefits vary significantly across providers. Some programs prioritise grid support over individual financial return.
How Amber SmartShift differs from typical VPPs
Amber’s SmartShift platform is designed around a different philosophy. Instead of using your battery to serve the grid first and compensating you second, it focuses on maximising household returns through dynamic market participation.
Most notably, SmartShift gives customers the full value of any electricity exported to the grid at wholesale rates. This is particularly impactful during market price spikes, when wholesale electricity prices can rise above $10 per kilowatt-hour. Where traditional VPPs may offer a fixed credit or claim a portion of the export revenue, Amber charges only a flat monthly subscription fee —typically between $19 and $22—and passes on 100% of the trading upside to you.
Another key difference is the level of control. SmartShift users retain the ability to turn automation on or off at any time. The optimisation algorithm can handle the decisions for you, but if you prefer to manage your battery manually—particularly during high-price events—you can do so. This flexible approach gives more confidence to households new to wholesale pricing.
SmartShift also makes decisions on a per-home basis. Rather than issuing blanket instructions across all participating systems, it optimises for your specific energy usage, solar generation, and battery characteristics. This helps avoid inefficiencies and tailors outcomes more closely to your needs.
Finally, Amber offers real-time visibility into wholesale market prices through its app. This transparency helps users understand when their battery is buying or selling and why, offering reassurance that the system is working to their advantage.
How does SmartShift actually work?
SmartShift operates by combining your battery system, household energy data, and wholesale electricity price forecasts. It automates charging and discharging in response to these inputs.
When prices are low—such as during the day when solar supply is high, or during demand troughs overnight—SmartShift may charge your battery either from your rooftop solar or from the grid. If wholesale prices are negative (which occasionally occurs), you’re effectively paid to charge your battery.
During high-price periods, the system either discharges to power your home or exports energy back to the grid to earn the best available return. The algorithm is designed to respond quickly to price signals, allowing your battery to take advantage of even short-lived spikes.
Amber customers have reported strong results during such events. In some cases, households have earned substantial bill credits by exporting stored energy when wholesale rates have surged due to demand spikes or supply constraints.
Is Amber SmartShift a true virtual power plant?
While SmartShift meets the technical definition of a VPP—it aggregates and manages distributed batteries—it is not a conventional one. Most traditional VPPs are focused on supporting grid operations, sometimes at the cost of individual returns. SmartShift reverses that model, prioritising household benefit while still contributing to grid stability as a result of the aggregate battery response.
This customer-first focus, combined with optional automation and wholesale price transparency, sets Amber’s program apart in a market where many VPPs operate with limited flexibility or opaque revenue sharing.
Who can benefit from SmartShift?
SmartShift is best suited to households with rooftop solar and a compatible battery system who live in Amber’s service areas—currently South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, and Queensland (Energex network).
Because it operates on wholesale electricity pricing, it’s important that customers are comfortable with variable pricing. While automation protects against downside exposure in most cases, there is still some risk involved during prolonged high-price events if the system is not managed well. That said, Amber’s software is designed to mitigate these risks and to steadily improve its optimisation over time.
SmartShift may appeal particularly to homeowners who want to maximise the value of their battery investment and are open to engaging—at least initially—with how energy markets work.
To join, you’ll need a smart meter, a compatible battery and inverter, and an internet connection. If you’re currently enrolled in another VPP, you’ll likely need to exit that arrangement before transitioning to SmartShift.
What are the broader benefits?
Beyond potential financial gains, SmartShift helps households increase their energy independence and reduce reliance on fossil-fuelled grid power. By charging from rooftop solar and exporting clean energy during high-demand periods, participants are supporting Australia’s renewable energy integration and improving grid resilience.
Importantly, Amber’s approach encourages the growth of decentralised, flexible energy systems that can scale with demand. This aligns with state and federal government goals to accelerate battery uptake and increase distributed energy resources.
Are rebates or incentives available?
Yes. A number of government schemes support VPP-connected battery systems:
- In South Australia, the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS) offers rebates for approved VPP participation.
- New South Wales operates the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS), which provides incentives for batteries enrolled in VPPs.
- Federally, the proposed Cheaper Home Batteries Program—flagged by the Labor government for possible introduction in July 2025—could offer additional subsidies for VPP-compatible batteries.
Participation in Amber SmartShift may help you qualify for these programs, depending on your location and system setup.
Final thoughts
Amber SmartShift is a forward-thinking VPP program that gives solar battery owners the tools to earn more from their system, while also playing a role in the energy grid of the future. Its model puts control and transparency in the hands of the customer and rewards proactive participation.
While it won’t suit every household, for those with the right equipment and interest in market-based savings, SmartShift represents a compelling new way to engage with Australia’s evolving energy landscape.
If you’d like to find out whether your battery system is compatible or what kind of returns you might expect, Your Energy Answer can connect you with accredited local energy professionals for tailored guidance.
