FAQs
What is Powston?
We're a whoesale energy intelligence trading platform—built for battery owners—not energy retailers. We're not here to sell you electricity or hedge your usage or smooth your bills. We're here to help you make money from your battery.
How do I choose the right battery brand?
Powston supports leading global battery brands—trusted names that offer solid performance, great support, and long-term value. And while there are options at different price points, here’s the honest truth: Go Premium. To date those brands have proved to be the best. Best capacity, responsiveness and flexibility—exactly what Powston needs to maximise trades and profit. And for our customers, that means faster ROI, best-in-class reliability and more earnings.
What's the catch?
The short answer. Battery size. To make the most of biggest price swings in the wholesale energy market, your battery needs surplus capacity. That means enough energy to power your home and spare space to push and pull energy for trading.
The bigger the battery, the bigger the profits. At Powston, we recommend a minimum of 25kWh. The Australian goverment rebate is applicable to systems up to 50kWh. That’s the sweet spot: enough to cover your household needs and leave room to trade when the market moves.
When do energy prices spike?
Historically, crazy power spikes happened 3–4 times a year. There's another 20 nights with sizable spikes. Generally, the wholesale energy market is pretty stable AKA boring! But now and then, something breaks—usually a coal plant—and the market scrambles. When supply drops and demand stays high, prices spike FAST. That’s when the real money is made. But that’s changing.
With ageing coal infrastructure and a volatile grid, spikes are becoming more frequent—and less predictable. Powston technology watches for these moments 24/7. We don’t guess. We patiently wait. Then we pounce.
Do I need to change my power usage behaviour to get the best results?
Absolutely not. Powston is built to work around your lifestyle. You cook when you want to cook. You charge your car when you want to charge your car. We factor all that in—automatically. You'll never get an email or text from us asking you to shift your usage or turn something off. Powston doesn’t need your habits to change. That is why you have a battery— let us do the rest.
When does Powston start working?
After plugging in your controller, Powston needs 3 days to understand your power usage. Then the platform kicks into gear trading 288 times per day (across the wholesale markets 5 minute intervals) everyday, on your behalf.
Can I continue working with my trusted solar and battery installer?
Absolutely. Powston collaborates with any qualified electrician who is CEC (Clean Energy Council) certified. If any on-site work is needed, your chosen electrician can carry it out. We focus on providing advanced technology for home energy management and are CEC-approved as a seller, not as electricians or installers. Your existing relationships with solar or battery installers remain intact; we're here to enhance, not replace, the support they provide. If needed, we're also happy to suggest other reputable installers from our growing network of electricians dedicated to helping customers save on energy costs.
What if I'm unhappy with my solar and battery system performance?
If your solar or battery system isn't meeting your expectations, it might not be due to the installer’s workmanship but rather your unique energy usage patterns. Powston prefers to work alongside your existing installer to resolve any issues. Electricians are experts in safe power system installations, while we specialize in optimizing the intricate settings of power electronics. We step in post-installation to ensure your system is configured to match your specific energy needs, allowing you to gain the full benefit of your battery, as installed by a qualified electrician.
FAQs for Electricians
Have you heard about Powston?
Fantastic. Come and join the Powston Business Partner Program. Collaborating with us can offer your customers an advanced 'plug and play' battery control solution to maximize their savings, profit and happiness.
Why is Powston great for Installers?
Powston aims to exceed our battery owner expectations. On installing the Powston controller, we have repeatedly seen customers contact their installers to buy more batteries. When a crazy energy spike hits, our customers really understand the value of Powston. They also understand the value of their battery and their rockstar installer!