Altogether: A multi-utility service provider to communities
Altogether works with land release and vertical communities to deliver power to residents and businesses. They currently deliver localised essential services to over 400 communities in New South Wales and Queensland. In addition, the Australian Energy Regulator has authorised them to work as an electricity retailer in the Australian Capital Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.
With a stated commitment to delivering the best possible economic, social and environmental outcomes, they are working towards maximising renewable energy generation, managing peak loads on the network and ensuring energy efficiency. Altogether enables communities to transition to lower-carbon fuel.
They focus on sustainability by using proven low carbon technologies and reducing dependency on coal-fired electricity. They aim to keep resources and jobs local and achieve this by using local renewable power generation and storage solutions. Working with their developer and government clients, Altogether helps to create sustainable infrastructure and deploys local, decentralised energy networks.
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This article is over two years old, last updated on September 28, 2022. While RateCity makes best efforts to update every important article regularly, the information in this piece may not be as relevant as it once was. Alternatively, please consider checking recent energy articles.
Who are Altogether and what do they offer?
Previously, the company was known as Flow Systems, but have now consolidated their operations under a single brand - Altogether.
Altogether is owned by the Sustainable Communities Infrastructure Trust, a group made up of Australian and New Zealand sovereign wealth funds, superannuation funds, and Government agencies. The trust is managed by Morrison & Co, a private infrastructure firm with a particular focus on renewable energy.
Altogether offers localised essential services that support the communities and the planet. Over 400 communities across Australia are currently serviced by Altogether, with this number growing every day. They currently provide embedded energy networks in high rise communities in Brisbane and the Gold Coast in QLD and Huntlee and Box Hill in NSW. They manage smart grids in retirement villages or resorts in NSW and QLD. They can help developers improve cash flow if they engage Altogether during the community build phase of their projects.
A mission to help create climate-positive and cost-efficient communities
The Altogether mission is to build communities that generate more power and water than they use. Some of the ways in which they help build this circular economy are locally generated water and energy and community ownership models. They also enable electric vehicles and car-sharing within these communities.
This approach can help consumers benefit from reduced costs and enhanced liveability while positively impacting the environment. Local systems can be more efficient and resilient during events such as droughts, floods, bushfires, or power outages.
How Altogether embedded networks for residential electricity helps you save?
If you have a home or business in a community that’s served by an Altogether embedded network, you should see savings on your power bill. Being part of an embedded network means the business owner or body corporate will negotiate bulk rates. These rates are quite often discounted compared to standard retail pricing. The community management will buy energy from Altogether, but you’ll have your own meter and pay only for the electricity you consume.
Being part of an Altogether embedded network can remove energy wastage and deliver better energy efficiency. Some of the features of Altogether networks are smart technology and remote-read metering. Your building may also have centralised hot water, cooking gas, air-conditioning and EV charging facilities provided by Altogether. These additional services use low-carbon energy sources and are delivered from electricity or thermal networks.
If you’re moving into a community that Altogether services, you can compare the community’s electricity prices with other electricity retailers in your area. If you decide you want to purchase your power from another electricity provider, you are free to do so. Altogether doesn’t lock you into only using their community network as part of their contracts.
Upgrade to a smart meter with Altogether
Altogether may offer embedded energy network clients a free upgrade to smart meters. Communities that have older meters can request a free upgrade assessment. The benefit of installing smart meters is that they enhance operational efficiency and speed and allow Altogether to read, disconnect or reconnect meters at any time and remotely. Your meter reading will also be sent directly from your smart meter to the Altogether data management system. This means you’ll have accurate and fast readings of your energy usage.
If you do choose to upgrade to a smart meter, the installation of a meter for a new connection will often be completed within six business days. If the request is for a replacement meter, the process could take up to 15 business days.
Altogether billing and payment
Like other energy providers, you’ll receive a monthly bill, usually online, with Altogether. You’ll receive separate bills for each service that you have with Altogether, such as electricity, water, and thermal. And you can get real-time information by logging into your account.
You can set up bill payments in the customer portal, including direct debit from your bank account or credit card. Note that there are charges related to paying via credit card. Another option is to pay your bill via BPAY or pay each month via credit or debit card. You can also use Centrepay if you’re currently receiving Centrelink support.
Hardship assistance policies
If you find yourself in a situation where you’re having difficulties paying your bills, reach out to Altogether. Their representatives will work with you to create a plan to get your payments back on track. If your current financial struggles are only a short term concern, you may be able to apply for a short term payment extension. Alternatively, you can apply to join the Altogether hardship program. Read the terms, eligibility criteria and process of the hardship program here.
If you need to talk to Altogether about your account, you can call 1300 806 806 or fill out the form on the contact us page.
