The tragedy left more than 100,000 people without power, some for weeks or months, which severely hampered recovery efforts.

The University of NSW is now conducting a study into energy resilience after natural disasters, and are calling for people who lost have lost power due to storms, fires or floods to get in touch.

The study Energy Sustainability through Knowledge and Information Exchange and Sharing (ESKIES), run by Dr Mike Roberts and Dr Sophie Adams aims to gain an understanding of the role that solar, batteries and other energy sources after a disaster.

It will also explore what role energy management approaches can play in maintaining electricity supply to regional and rural communities during disruptions to the electricity grid.

Lilli Pilli's Peter Haughton has already shared his story with the study.

"700 metres was the closest the fire on December 31 got to us in Lilli Pilli, but at the time it felt much closer," Mr Haughton said.

"Not so lucky were many in Malua Bay two kilometres away, and even more in Rosedale."

Peter said the mains power failed initially early on New Year's Eve, and stayed off for two-and-a-half days.

It was briefly restored and then failed again for another three days. But for many people in the nearby affected areas, it took more than a month to be restored.

But Peter was fortunate. Two years earlier he'd installed a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery with 8kW of solar panels and a 6kW inverter.

"We had power continuously, courtesy of the Tesla battery which is the full back-up model," he said.

"We were able to run our all-electric house easily. Some of our friends were forced to purchase generators at high prices following the fire, which only supplied a portion of their electrical needs."

They helped neighbours out with power for boiling water, charging phones, cooking and cold storage. One man even came by for an electric shave.

Dr Roberts said the study wanted to take to people about their experience with power "when the grid has failed, both good and bad".

"We want to then share that knowledge with others so they can find ways to avoid energy supply disruptions to their homes and businesses," he said.

Dr Adams said people could participate at whatever level was comfortable to them.

""We're mindful we're going to be talking to people in communities that have suffered terribly from the fires and floods, and for this reason we're open to engaging with participants at a level that suits them," she said.

Participants of the study will be compensated for their time. To sign up for the study, visit this link.