They're quick-thinking, optimistic and knowledgeable, and now members of Generation Z can add 'energy smart' to their list of characteristics after a recent study found that more than half of Australian parents and guardians believe their children are smarter about energy than they were at a similar age.

The cross-generational energy study commissioned to celebrate the launch of the 10^th year of Origin's Energy Savers school program also revealed that when it comes to energy awareness, our youngest energy users have their parents outclassed – thanks largely to an increased focus on energy education in schools over the last two decades.

Origin General Manager Lina Melero said, "In this technological age, children are more reliant on energy to fuel their learning and lifestyles than previous generations. With the advent of technology such as interactive whiteboards, iPads and laptops supporting in-classroom teaching, understanding where energy comes from and how it is consumed is even more important for this generation."

The survey also found that students are cognisant of future energy sources with 71 per cent believing that energy will be generated from solar power when they're adults. Origin's Energy Savers school program seeks to foster greater understanding of how energy is sourced and consumed.

Origin's Energy Savers – one of Australia's most successful school programs - has helped teach more than half a million Australian primary school students about energy safety and smart energy management. At present, more than 42 per cent of all Australian primary schools are delivering Origin's Energy Savers curriculum to their students, motivating students to think critically about their energy habits both at home and in the classroom.

Four out of five parents surveyed believe that schools positively impact the future of the environment and contribute to the energy education of their children (83 per cent). This view is supported by the junior energy experts, with more than a third of the Gen Z respondents believing they know more about energy than their parents did when they were young.

Additional findings from the research:

• Almost all parents and children surveyed believe it is important to be aware of how much energy you use (99 per cent of parents and 97 per cent of children)
• Australian families are engaging in energy conversation - with three in four parents saying that they talk about energy with their children. Three quarters of kids say they've performed an energy smart behaviour in the past week
• Over half of the parents surveyed (57 per cent) said that energy education was not incorporated into their lessons when they were at primary school

While the report highlights parents as a key influencer for children's energy knowledge, the school remains the main source of energy information for them – with the majority of kids saying they learn the most about the topic at school.

Ms Melero said, "One of the interesting differences between Gen Z and past generations is their unprecedented access to information about energy – where it comes from, how it is produced, using it safely, and our efforts to produce cleaner forms of energy for the future.

"Energy has been built into a number of key subjects in the Australian school curriculum over the past two decades and Origin is proud to be a supporter in this area. Prior to this, teachers had limited access to research, technology and most importantly knowledge about energy.

"The increased understanding of energy we are fostering in our younger generations, is paving the way for a brighter energy future, where people are more conscious of their relationship with energy and the importance of developing cleaner forms of energy such as gas, wind, geothermal and solar," Ms Melero said.

In 2012 the Energy Savers program distributed over 3,000 units of curriculum to schools across the country, launched 'Power Quest' an online game and along with Energy Bob the energy savers mascot visited 36 schools in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

With more than half of the children surveyed stating that they learned the most about energy at school (50 per cent) and at home (39 per cent), in 2013 Origin hopes to reach even more Australian students, teachers and parents this year with its messages about energy. The program has been boosted with the introduction of fun short video clips designed to be viewed in the classroom or at home via the new look Energy Savers website, and Origin plans to visit a number of schools across the country.

Australians can get involved in the Origin Energy Savers program by visiting the official website - originenergy.com.au/energysavers where there are separate resources for teachers and students.

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