Developers are beginning to think differently about power—not just how it’s delivered, but how it can shape the way communities live and grow.
At Brisbane-based Mosaic Property Group, the idea took hold during planning for The Manning, a 22-storey tower completed in August. The developer partnered with energy specialist Humenergy Group to install a private embedded network that would keep costs down, simplify operations and give residents more control over their energy use.
For Mosaic, it wasn’t just a technical choice. It was about creating a building that could adapt to change.
The Manning’s 132 apartments now draw energy from a microgrid designed to serve the community long after completion. Similar networks will be rolled out across Mosaic’s Carter, Lily and Bedford projects, reflecting a quiet shift in how developers are thinking about infrastructure.
“It’s nearly standard practice for new developments to go this way now,” Humenergy managing director Ben Humphreys said. “Developers are better off—they get best-in-class systems, expert support and long-term certainty for residents.”
Humenergy builds and maintains the networks for the life of each agreement, buying electricity or gas in bulk and passing on the savings to occupants.
“We provide the assets and infrastructure, and we take responsibility for them,” Humphreys said. “If a system stops working in the middle of the night, we send someone out. It’s that simple.”
The model removes a major upfront cost for developers, freeing up capital to invest in other sustainability features—more solar panels, EV chargers or community batteries.
Humphreys said the best outcomes happen when energy planning begins early in the design process. “At development application stage, we can give guidance on how to best build a microgrid—without consultancy fees,” he said.
Because the network belongs to the community, it makes it easier to integrate future technology.
“It’s a private system that lets people be part of the energy transition,” Humphreys said. “You can add a community battery or more EV chargers, or install a solar system more effectively. The building becomes a producer, not just a consumer.”
The company’s work has earned recognition from the Strata Community Association, where it has been a finalist or winner in service awards for the past four years.
Next year, Humenergy will mark a decade in business—a milestone for a company that has helped hundreds of developments rethink how they power their communities.
“It’s all about people powering people,” Humphreys said.
