Every week, we get messages from Aussies asking the same question: “When will my battery work with SmartShift?”
It's a fair question. And here's the honest answer: we're working flat out to make Amber a true bring-your-own-device business where any battery can unlock the savings potential that comes with SmartShift and Amber’s wholesale model.
Where we're at right now
We're currently compatible with around two-thirds of the batteries installed across Australia. That includes SigEnergy, Tesla Powerwall 2 & 3, LG Chem, Alpha ESS, Sungrow, and as of this month, Enphase systems.
But that's not enough. Your battery cost you thousands of dollars, and it should work with the energy company that can help it earn the most. Plus, having more batteries putting energy into the system when it needs it most is also the only way Australia will reach its climate targets and Amber will achieve its mission of shifting Australia and the world to 100% renewable energy. So we're doubling down on integrations.
Meet the team making it happen
Staff Engineer and Amber-Evangelist Myles Eftos is leading our charge on battery integrations. You might recognise Myles from some of our videos. He's the one explaining how the Amber app works.
Under Myles' leadership, we've expanded our integrations engineering team and accelerated our pace to keep up with customer demand, which is only increasing with the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries rebate scheme.
We currently have 14 different battery systems in various stages of integration, including several in closed and open beta testing, and many more on our Integrations Roadmap.
How we choose what comes next
When people ask why their battery isn't compatible yet, the answer comes down to prioritisation. We look at four key factors:
Customer demand. How many of our customers and leads have told us they want this integration? Our waitlist, where people can let us know they want to be first to find out when their battery becomes compatibility, data shows some clear patterns - 21% of the 1,620 people waiting for integrations want FoxESS compatibility, 16% want Goodwe, 8% Growatt, and 6% want ESY systems.
Market share. What percentage of Australian battery owners have this system? We focus on becoming compatibility with the battery brands that will make the biggest difference to the most people.
Growth potential. Some newer battery brands are small today but growing fast. We're keeping an eye on where the market is heading, not just where it's been.
Strategic partnerships. As we expand internationally, certain integrations become more valuable for our global goal of shifting the world to 100% renewable energy.
Why timelines are hard to predict
Here's where it gets technical - and yes, occasionally a tad frustrating for everyone involved.
Each battery integration requires deep technical work to understand how that specific system communicates. Sometimes we discover compatibility issues halfway through development that send us back to the drawing board.
We often need battery manufacturers to work directly with us, and coordinating across different companies and time zones adds complexity. What looks like a one-month project can become four months when technical challenges emerge.
We get the frustration when timelines shift. You're not waiting for a nice-to-have feature - you're waiting to maximise the return on a major investment. We feel that pressure too.
The bigger picture
This isn't just about individual battery brands. We're building towards a future where every household energy system - batteries, EVs, hot water systems, pool pumps - can participate in the wholesale energy market.
That means Australian families earning what big energy generators earn, instead of accepting whatever fixed rate they're offered. It means your smart energy setup working for you, not your energy company.
What you can do right now
Got a compatible battery? Use our Battery Compatibility Checker to see if your system works with SmartShift. If it does, and you’re already a customer, jump into the Amber app and enrol your system. If you’re not yet a customer, sign up today and then get enrolled in the app. Once enrolled, SmartShift spends about a month learning your usage patterns before full optimisation begins.
Waiting for compatibility? Join our waitlist to be first in line when your battery becomes compatible.
Thinking about getting a battery? Check which systems already work with Amber before you buy. With rebates making batteries more affordable than ever, now's a smart time to go wholesale-ready from day one.
The energy transition is happening with or without big energy companies. We're making sure you're on the right side of it.
