A University of Queensland (UQ) researcher is envisioning new ways of aiding Australia’s transition to renewable energy.

Dr Andrea La Nauze, an environmental economist from UQ’s Australian Institute for Business and Economics, is investigating what leads people to invest in technologies that benefit the environment.

The program will investigate if incentives would encourage EV owners to change their charging habits.

Participants in the program will receive “monetary incentives” to charge their electric vehicle during the day when there was less demand on the electricity grid.

They will also be offered access to software that will automatically charge vehicles at times when the grid has abundant renewable energy.

“We expect to find this will be a valuable tool for EV owners, helping them use electricity when it’s cheapest,” Dr La Nauze said.

“EVs powered by renewable energy help to lower emissions from transportation, but they can also help support grid security as we transition to renewables by using electricity at times when we have an excess.”

Charging at peak times of solar energy production will reduce strain on the grid and prove cheaper for current and prospective EV owners.

“This study is all about seeing if we can encourage electric vehicle owners to charge their vehicles at a time that's beneficial for the grid and ultimately beneficial for all electricity consumers,” Dr La Nauze said.

“I believe Australia can achieve an affordable, more equitable and sustainable energy system by being smart and using the combination of technology and incentives.”

If you own an EV and are interested in taking part in the research project, you can register your interest here.

STORY COURTNEY SMITH