GloBird Energy

Energy

VPP FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions VPP

Introducing GloBird's ZEROHERO Offer

ZEROHERO is a solar battery energy plan with VPP credits

With so much solar in the grid these days, energy tends to be worth less around midday, but more valuable in the evening peak.

If you have a home battery, you can take advantage of this value difference simply by setting your battery’s charge and discharge times.

If you can use more power during the day and less in the evening peak, the ZEROHERO energy plan is designed to give you the best return on investment on your home battery with the least fuss.

What is VPP (Virtual Power Plant)?

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a network of connected solar-battery systems typically like that installed at an increasing number of residential premises across Australia.

Via a VPP, a solar-battery network can be coordinated to respond to periods of high energy demand, to assist with electricity grid stability, and to support greater renewable energy generation.

Benefits and Eligibility

What are the benefits of joining ZEROHERO?

ZEROHERO – VPP Credits

ZEROHERO

Units

$ / ZEROHERO Day

Rate inc. GST (if applicable) Credit

1.00000

Super Export

Units

$ / Super Export kWh

Rate inc. GST (if applicable) Credit

We will pay $0.15kWh up to 10 kWh exported between 6-8pm each day by topping up your usual feed-in so it always totals $0.15kWh. Super Export Credit is made up of the standard Solar/Generation Feed-in rate plus a Super Export top-up, totalling $0.15/kWh. These credits will appear separately on the price table and on the bill. For example, Solar/Generation Feed-in rate as $0.03/kWh and Super Export top-up rate as $0.12/kWh.

Critical Peak – Export

Units

$ / Critical Peak Export kWh

Rate inc. GST (if applicable) Credit

1.00000

Critical Peak – Import

Units

$ / Critical Peak Import kWh

Rate inc. GST (if applicable) Credit

0.05000

ZEROHERO – VPP Credits

ZEROHERO

Key Condition
  • A ZEROHERO Day occurs when, on a Local Time Every Day, total Imports in the ZEROHERO Window do not exceed the ZEROHERO Threshold.
  • The ZEROHERO Window is between 6pm and 8pm Local Time Every day.
  • The ZEROHERO Threshold is 0.03 kWh/Hour.

Super Export

Key Condition
  • The Super Export Window is from 6pm to 8pm Local Time every day.
  • During this time, you can receive a boosted export rate called the ' Super Export top - up ' on your solar exports.
  • The Super Export threshold is 10 kWh per day.
  • This means only the first 10 kWh exported during the Super Export Window are eligible for the boosted export rate.
  • During the Super Export Window (6pm–8pm):
  • You receive the Super Export top-up rate (up to 15c/kWh in total) for the first 10 kWh exported.
  • If you are already receiving a Solar/Generation Feed-in rate, we will top it up to 15c/kWh using the Super Export top-up rate. For example, Solar/Generation Feed-in rate during 6-8pm is $0.03/kWh, then you will receive the Super Export top-up rate as $0.12/kWh. The 2 rates appear separately on your bill.
  • If you export more than 10 kWh during the Super Export Window (6pm–8pm), or export outside the window:
  • All exports are paid at your Solar/Generation Feed-in rate.

Critical Peak

Key Condition
  • Critical Peak - Export kWh and Critical Peak - Import kWh is total Exports and total Imports, respectively, in a Critical Peak Export Window or Critical Peak Import Window, respectively.
  • The Critical Peak - Export Window and the Critical Peak - Import Window are any respective period(s) as determined by us at our discretion as detailed in a notice given by us to you.
  • In order to be eligible for these VPP Credits, the meter at the Premises must be capable of recording Exports and Imports on a 5 minute basis.

General

Key Condition
  • To earn VPP Credits, you must have a Qualifying System and must meet and remain compliant with the Eligibility Criteria and all other requirements of the Virtual Power Plant Terms and Conditions.
  • Your System may need to have particular characteristics (including technical and/or control capability) as provided by its manufacturer and/or installer in order to access some of the VPP Credits.
  • Meeting the requirements of one of the VPP Credits may limit your ability to earn other VPP Credits as may electricity consumption patterns at the Premises.
  • See the Virtual Power Plant Terms and Conditions for further definitions and other details.

We can reduce the rate at which we apply a VPP Credit, and we can change a time window or threshold under the key conditions applicable to a VPP Credit, at any time at which we have the right to change the prices payable by you for your electricity use. We will give you advance written notice of any such reduction. See clause 3.8 of the Virtual Power Plant Terms and Conditions for full particulars.

For details, refer to: ZEROHERO

How do I know if I am eligible?

Key eligibility criteria are summarised below

  • The Premises must be located in NSW, QLD (Energex Region only), SA or VIC
  • You must be a Residential Customer.
  • You must not have an ABN.
  • The network tariff applicable to you or the Premises must be a residential one.
  • No one at the premises requires life support equipment.
  • The premises has an eligible solar-battery system installed (refer to our list of eligible systems: Eligible Solar-battery Systems)

Full details available in the terms and conditions.

What causes my usage to exceed the ZEROHERO threshold?

The most common reasons include:

  • High-consumption appliances were used during the ZEROHERO window (e.g. air conditioners, ovens or EV chargers). Some inverters may not respond fast enough to these sudden spikes.
  • Your household demand temporarily exceeded what your battery could provide, causing electricity to be drawn from the grid during the ZEROHERO window. For example, if your inverter can supply up to 5kW but your home needs 6kW, the extra 1kW will come from the grid.
  • Some inverters and batteries require a small amount of grid power to maintain normal operation. This is normal behaviour across many solar battery systems and is outside retailer control.

If your household uses more electricity at a particular moment than your inverter can deliver, the additional electricity will be automatically drawn from the grid. Even if your battery appears full (for example, 95% charged), the amount of electricity it can provide at any one time is limited by the inverter‘s power, which is the maximum amount of electricity it can supply at once. When your household demand exceeds this limit, grid electricity automatically covers the difference.

When this happens during the ZeroHero window period, it may result in missing the credit for that day, even though the battery still has plenty of energy available.

How can I increase the likelihood of staying within the ZEROHERO threshold?

To maximise your chances of receiving ZEROHERO credit:

  • Avoid using high-consumption appliances during ZEROHERO window
  • Reduce overall household usage during ZEROHERO window
  • Set your inverter to export slightly more power than your expected usage. This helps offset your household electricity demand, with any extra energy flowing back to the grid.

VPP Rebate: Easy steps with Zerohero

Good news! If you’re in NSW or South Australia and want to claim the Government’s VPP Rebate, GloBird’s ZEROHERO plan is a simple and approved way to do it. ZEROHERO is a recognised VPP program that meets the rebate requirements, and better yet, you stay in control of your battery.

Sign-up

How to sign up?

You can sign-up anytime via our website: ZEROHERO

Do I need to do anything?

You won’t require any extra hardware if you already have a compatible battery or inverter. You may be asked to provide the serial number or check code of your appliances for connection to your device. If further information is needed, we’ll reach out to you. You can access guidance on finding the serial number at Find your Serial Number.

How do I know if my battery is compatible?

Our basic plan features work with any battery brand and lets you stay fully in control. And if you’d like to earn even more, you can opt into our Virtual Power Plant (VPP) add-on, where GloBird helps optimise your battery remotely to boost your income. The choice is yours.

Basic plan features (compatible with any battery brand):

  • 3hrs free grid charging
  • Earn $1 per day credit
  • 15c/kWh feed in tariff

Optional add-on feature (compatible with selected battery brands only):

  • Join our Virtual Power Plant and earn up to $1 per kWh during price spikes

Billing

Are there any other fees or lock-in contract terms?

ZEROHERO keeps it simple with:

  • No sign-up fees or ongoing fees.
  • No lock in contracts – you can leave anytime.
  • No need to watch wholesale energy markets.

Can I change my electricity plan when I’m with Globird VPP plan?

There is no lock-in contract for our VPP plan, and you can switch to any electricity plan you would like to participate in. Please keep in mind that if you wish to opt-out of the plan, you may not be able to enjoy VPP benefits.

Will my battery warranty be affected?

Enrolling in the GloBird VPP plan will not impact your battery warranty. You can verify your warranty period directly with your appliance provider or system installers.

Eligible Solar-battery Systems

Eligible Solar-battery Systems

Qualifying System

  • Inverter Power: between 3 kW and 30 kW
  • Battery Capacity: between 3 kWh and 100 kWh
  • The following benefits apply to all battery brands

    • ZEROHERO
    • ZEROCHARGE
    • ZEROWASTEDSOLAR (Super Export)
  • Note: The ZEROLIMIT benefit (Critical Peak) is available only for the following brands: AlphaESS, Redback, SunGrow, SolaX, Sigenergy, SAJ, Neovolt, eCactus, Solis + Dyness

Switch your home's energy to GloBird for a great rate and no lock in contract.

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