Fox ESS & Origin Power Up Homes in Australian VPP Revolution

MELBOURNE, Australia – February 12, 2026 – In a significant move set to accelerate Australia's renewable energy transition, renewable technology provider Fox ESS has partnered with energy giant Origin. The collaboration allows households with Fox ESS home batteries to connect to Origin's virtual power plant (VPP), known as Origin Loop, turning individual solar storage systems into active, income-generating participants in the national energy market.

This integration empowers Australian homeowners to not only reduce their electricity bills but also earn significant credits by helping to stabilize the power grid during peak demand. The partnership arrives as Australia grapples with the dual challenges of transitioning its energy infrastructure and managing the intermittency of renewable sources, positioning VPPs as a critical piece of the nation's energy future.

Monetizing the Rooftop Revolution

The core of the partnership is the direct financial benefit it offers to consumers. By joining Origin Loop, Fox ESS customers can move beyond simple energy self-sufficiency and begin monetizing their investment in home battery storage. Origin's smart automation platform orchestrates the charging and discharging of a vast network of connected home batteries, selling stored energy back to the grid when it's most needed and most valuable.

To cater to different consumer preferences, the integration provides access to a suite of tailored plans:

• Origin Battery Lite: This entry-level VPP option offers up to $400 in value in the first year. It pays customers a premium rate of $1 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for energy exported during VPP events, capped at 200 kWh annually. This plan can be added to any existing Origin electricity plan, offering flexibility for customers wanting to test the VPP waters.

• Origin Battery Maximiser: For those seeking to fully automate and maximize their earnings, this electricity plan offers uncapped exports and a peak feed-in tariff (FiT) of 22c/kWh. The VPP automatically manages the battery to optimize charging from solar and discharging to the grid, aiming for the highest possible return.

• Origin Battery Starter: Recognizing that some users prefer manual control, this plan operates outside the VPP. It provides a competitive peak FiT of 18c/kWh with uncapped solar and battery exports, allowing owners to manage their own energy flow.

These rates stand in stark contrast to standard solar feed-in tariffs, which have fallen to an average of around 6c/kWh. The premium paid through VPP participation dramatically shortens the payback period for a home battery system and provides a powerful incentive for further adoption.

Chris Zondanos, General Manager of Electrify & New Connections at Origin, highlighted the growing popularity of the battery brand. "We're delighted to be working with the team at Fox ESS. Their batteries have quickly become a popular choice in the Australian market, and this integration reflects our commitment to provide more options for our customers to get the best value."

A Strategic Move in a Booming Market

For Fox ESS, this partnership is a calculated move that solidifies its rapidly growing presence in the competitive Australian market. The company, named the 'Top Growth Leader for 2025' by leading solar consultancy Sunwiz, has been on an aggressive expansion trajectory. Backed by the global manufacturing powerhouse Tsingshan Group, Fox ESS has quickly built a reputation for reliable and competitively priced energy storage solutions, including its recently launched CQ6 High Voltage Battery.

The Australian battery market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with installations in 2024 significantly outpacing previous years. Forecasts predict this boom will continue, spurred by rising electricity costs and supportive government policies like the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, set to launch in July 2025. By aligning with a major energy retailer like Origin, Fox ESS not only gains a stamp of approval but also ensures its products are seamlessly integrated into the ecosystem that will unlock their full financial potential for customers.

This strategy is crucial for competing with established players. While some competitors are winding down their VPP offerings, Origin is aggressively expanding its network, creating a prime opportunity for compatible battery manufacturers. The partnership provides Fox ESS with a powerful sales proposition: a high-performance battery that is pre-approved for one of the country's leading VPP programs.

Building the Grid of Tomorrow

Beyond the benefits for individual companies and consumers, the Fox ESS and Origin partnership represents a critical step forward in the modernization of Australia's energy grid. Virtual power plants are a key technology for managing a decentralized energy network rich in distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar and home batteries.

Origin Loop already orchestrates over 1.5 GW of capacity from hundreds of thousands of connected devices. By aggregating these resources, the VPP can act like a large-scale power station, rapidly responding to fluctuations in supply and demand. During a heatwave, for example, the VPP can discharge thousands of home batteries simultaneously to meet surging air conditioner demand, reducing strain on the grid and preventing the need to fire up costly and polluting fossil fuel 'peaker' plants.

This capability is vital for ensuring grid stability as the share of intermittent renewables like solar and wind power grows. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has identified VPPs as essential for providing energy, system security, and local network support services in the future. The collaboration between technology providers like Fox ESS and VPP operators like Origin is the mechanism that makes this vision a reality.

Brooks Richard, Managing Director of APAC & Middle East at Fox ESS, commented on this larger vision. "Origin VPP represents a transformative step in the Australian energy landscape... Its integration of weather intelligence, market insights, and real-time energy optimisation aligns perfectly with Fox ESS's high-performance storage systems. Together, we are not only enabling Australian households to maximise the value of their solar and battery investments but also fostering a more resilient and sustainable energy future."

As more households adopt battery storage and connect to these intelligent networks, they are collectively building a more robust, flexible, and clean energy system from the ground up.