Pooled resurrects in new pilot program with Poolwerx
Pooled, the re-incarnation of Pooled Energy under new owners Intellihub, is initiating a national pilot project in conjunction with Poolwerx.
The pilot involves the installation of the Pooled Gen 2 Controller to backyard swimming pools, with the aim of using the technology to reduce the energy consumption of the pools and improve their value as an asset.
Partially funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the Pooled Gen 2 partnership applies real-time data management, automation and proactive servicing to residential pool management. The aim is to use technology to shift pool care from reactive maintenance to a more efficient and connected experience for clients.
The Pooled Gen 2 Controller is a retrofit smart device installed between pool equipment and the power supply, monitoring and automating key pool functions in real time. Using intelligent automation, the system learns a pool’s filtration needs and shifts pump operation into off-peak tariff windows, reducing unnecessary runtime and optimising chemistry cycles.
The first phase of the partnership sees Poolwerx and Intellihub invite existing and new Poolwerx clients to join the Pooled Gen 2 Controller trial via a subscription service that bundles the hardware, app, installation and ongoing Poolwerx remote monitoring into a single monthly fee.
To encourage participation and to gather vital data on household savings, selected homeowners will receive a 12-month free subscription to the Pooled Gen 2 Controller management service, valued at more than $700.
Poolwerx CEO Nic Brill says the trial is a new era of innovation and a critical step in modernising the franchise and industry service offering.
“Our ultimate vision at Poolwerx has always been about creating the backyard lifestyle and ensuring families can seamlessly create lifelong poolside memories. Traditionally, pool care has been reactive – homeowners only seek help once the water turns green or equipment breaks down, disrupting those precious moments,” he says.
“The launch of the Pooled Gen 2 Controller completely shifts the mindset from reactive to proactive maintenance and health management. By combining Intellihub’ s advanced data capabilities with our pool care expertise, we are delivering a first-to-market technology that gives Poolwerx a clear competitive edge.”
He says that as well as providing customer savings of up to 40 per cent off the energy costs while optimising water health, it also provides franchisees with unparalleled insights and remote diagnostics to solve issues before they occur.
These insights include identifying a pump drawing less current than expected before failure occurs; chemistry imbalances that can be corrected early through a dosing adjustment; or preparing for a heatwave, gathering or holiday period with proactive updates on the swim-readiness of their pool.
Intellihub CEO Wes Ballantine says the potential benefits extend to the entire national grid, with envisaged final energy savings of up to three gigawatts equating to one new major power station.
Insights from the trial will help shape a broader national rollout planned for summer 2026, with as many as 1.6 million residential pools across Australia targeted for future smart integration.
Background
In 2018, the first incarnation of Pooled Energy launched a $5 million pilot program and, at its peak, serviced approximately 1600 customers mainly in Sydney and the Central Coast before its assets were acquired by the Intellihub Group.
The original model operated primarily as an energy retailer, as well as supplying pool equipment and managing and monitoring backyard swimming pools. The model fell over in 2022 when energy costs spiked - increasing by as much as tenfold in some locations.
In 2023, the Pooled Energy business was acquired by the Intellihub Group, an Australian and New Zealand smart metering and energy data specialist organisation.
Intellihub bought the business with the aim of focussing on pool monitoring and management without an energy retailing component. This venture has now moved forward with its first pilot program, without the risks of the highly variable energy retailing component.
Click for more information or to sign up to the pilot program.
IMAGE: CEOs Nic Brill of Poolwerx and Wes Ballantine of Intellihub. (Supplied)
