The Household Energy Glossary report seeks to enhance communication within the Australian energy sector, and between the sector and everyday people. Drawing on insights developed through social science research, the Glossary focuses on four key concepts – consumers, concessions, cost, and control – to show that the way we name and describe concepts importantly influences how we understand the challenges associated with them, and envision potential solutions. It is anticipated the report will help the energy sector and research partners better understand one another and everyday consumers.

These findings explore how concepts key to Australia’s energy transition – Consumers, Concessions, Cost, and Control – are variously understood by the diverse stakeholders that comprise the energy sector. This can create difficulties in facilitating collaboration and actioning on challenges that require cross-sector cooperation or consumer involvement. For the energy transition to be successful, and for people to be meaningfully included and have trust in the technologies and initiatives they are being asked to engage with, it is critical that we foster a shared understanding between different sectors’ stakeholders regarding key terms and concepts.

Drawing inspiration from other sectors where a glossary has been developed to promote interdisciplinarity and address miscommunication between stakeholders, the authors pursue this aim by exploring, simplifying, and 'translating' key terms and concepts.

It is anticipated that the Household Energy Glossary report will help the energy sector and research partners better understand one another and everyday consumers.