Are distribution networks more than just poles and wires? Could they be the platforms that enable a smarter, more flexible energy future? And if so—what do we need to unlock their full potential?
In our final episode of Season 2, we sit down with Andy Dunne from Ausgrid, who is leading Project Edith, a pioneering initiative focused on enabling flexible resources through innovative network pricing.
We discuss:
⚡ How Project Edith is helping to refine how flexible assets interact with distribution networks
🔗 The potential of dynamic local pricing
🚀 Key learnings and challenges from the project so far
🔮 What’s could be next for network innovation in Australia
You can find out more about Project Edith here https://www.ausgrid.com.au/About-Us/Future-Grid/Project-Edith
If you’ve been following along this season, thank you! We’ve loved unpacking the big questions around the energy transition, decentralisation, and the future of the grid—and we’ll be back soon.
This week on Energy Unpacked, we're joined by Business Development Manager Sinead Steele from Energy Locals to discuss innovative energy solutions for high-rise developments. 🌇
Episode Highlights:
🤝 Partnering early for cost-effective solutions and future-proofed sites
🌟 Creating value for all customers
🚗 Demand for EV charging and electrification
⚡ The impact of changing regulation on embedded network design
Many high-rise building residents miss out on the benefits of solar and other low-carbon solutions. It’s exciting to see new developments integrating this infrastructure, making it easier for tenants to benefit.
You can learn more about Energy Local’s projects here https://energylocals.com.au/projects/
In this episode we are joined by industry guru Andy McCarthy, who has recently published his first book "Here Comes the Sun." We delve into crucial energy transition themes, including the development of our future workforce, building trust in communities, and the importance of behind-the-meter assets in our energy system.
Connect with Andy McCarthy: Learn more about Andy and his book "Here Comes the Sun" at andymccarthy.com.au.
On this episode of Energy Unpacked, we are thrilled to welcome Slava Kozlovskii, the CEO of evee to discuss the all electric car rental and sharing platform.
Tune in to learn how the platform works and compares to other car-sharing and rental options, including:
🌟 Unique platform features
👥 Typical customer segments and trip lengths
🏠 Superior value proposition to hosts, and the
🌍 Benefits to our environment
Check out evee here https://www.evee.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoolxoCcn0Jaf6bHohz-cM7cpE9ytZywNtq1DreAOC3ITYPA4_7X
We were blown away by our conversation with Kira Rundel from RayGen this week, an Australian technology company that has developed a cutting-edge solar thermal and long-duration storage solution. Kira, who heads up Strategic Projects, shared insights on:
🔧 How the technology works and compares to more mainstream solutions
🔄 The evolution of the company and key pivots
💡 Current use cases and future co-location opportunities
👷 Insights from existing projects
It’s hard not to get excited hearing about clever solutions to critical energy transition challenges.
You can learn more about RayGen here https://raygen.com/
🎙 This week’s episode is a fun conversation on EV charging and e-mobility trends. To help us unpack this topic we are interviewing our old colleague and favourite marketer, Rob Asseleman, who heads up marketing at Chargefox.
Rob talks to us about the drivers shaping EV charging locations, utilisation, and technology choices both publicly and privately (and in his own home). We could chat to Rob all day and hope you enjoy this customer centric conversation 😎
You can learn more about Chargefox’s network and services here https://www.chargefox.com/
This week, Tom Gay from Origin Energy joins our podcast to provide a comprehensive overview of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). In this episode we go back to basics, covering what a VPP is, and how it can support different players in the energy transition. If you're curious about how to get additional value from your battery, heat pump, or EV charger, or simply want to understand some of the VPP products available in the market, this episode is for you.
We’re not as quick as we would like! Please note that this episode was recorded in August 2024, and specific product offers and details mentioned in this episode should be verified. You can learn more about Origin Energy’s VPP offerings here https://www.originenergy.com.au/solar/panels-batteries/virtual-power-plant/
We’re starting Season 2 with a bang, interviewing the always engaging Dennis Freedman- Managing Director ANZ at Aquila Clean Energy and Board Member for the Clean Energy Council. We love how Dennis simplifies complexity and connects the dots between industry, investors, the market, and regulation.
In this episode, we explore:
Join us for a fun and insightful discussion as we unpack these critical themes 🌱🔋
You can learn more about Aquila Clean Energy here https://www.aquila-clean-energy-apac.com, and connect with the Clean Energy Council at https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/.
We're back with Season 2 of Energy Unpacked!
This podcast is all about breaking down topics related to the Australian Energy Transition, a transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent and centralised energy system to a decentralised renewable-based one.
In Season 2, your co-hosts Bronte Wilson and Adam White, we will be interviewing industry experts on a range of topics including Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), EV charging and EV sharing , next-generation solar & long-duration storage, grid-scale project development and much more.
If you’re passionate about climate change or the energy industry or just want to learn more about the Energy Transition please plug in.
It’s no secret that to build out all the new renewable generation, storage and transmission infrastructure we need to reach an 80% renewable grid by 2030, we need communities onboard. In this episode we cover some of the challenges around securing social license, and pathways for progressing this important element of the Energy Transition.
Sources used in the creation of this episode include;
AEMO’s 2022 Integrated System Plan https://aemo.com.au/en/energy-systems/major-publications/integrated-system-plan-isp/2022-integrated-system-plan-isp
HumeLink transmission project shapes up as a test of governments’ willhttps://www.afr.com/companies/energy/humelink-transmission-project-shapes-up-as-a-test-of-governments-will-20230918-p5e5hg
Strategic Benefit Payments Scheme Overview https://www.energyco.nsw.gov.au/community/strategic-benefit-payments-scheme
If you enjoyed listening to our recent conversation with Rob and Sam from Solar Recovery Corporation, don't miss this episode! Tune in to learn more about the challenges and opportunities we face meeting the scale of minerals and metals required to enable the energy transition.
This podcast was largely informed by the following sources:
Powering Up: Unleashing the Clean Energy Supply Chain https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/powering
The net-zero materials transition: Implications for global supply chains.https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/metals-and-mining/our-insights/the-net-zero-materials-transition-implications-for-global-supply-chains
The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions. https://www.iea.org/events/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions-world-energy-outlook-special-report
This week's podcast episode features insightful discussions with Sam and Rob from Solar Recovery Corporation, shedding light on the immense scale of solar panels that Australia will need to process in the coming decade as well as the exciting opportunity to reuse recovered materials for other clean technology applications.
Discover more about Solar Recovery Corporation's tried and tested technology by exploring their website at https://www.srcorp.com.au/.
On the podcast this week we start to unpack the complex and often controversial topic of carbon credits. We cover the role of carbon credits in the energy transition and the challenges associated with creating a transparent and effective offset market.
You can find information about the ACCC’s guidelines on greenwashing here: https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/publications/environmental-and-sustainability-claims-draft-guidance-for-business.
Sources used in the creation of this episode include:
Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/emissions-reduction/independent-review-accus
Why offsets are not a viable alternative to cutting emissions. https://climateanalytics.org/publications/why-offsets-are-not-a-viable-alternative-to-cutting-emissions
Climate Active Trademarks- Carbon Neutral Claims Australia-Institute-complaint-Climate-Active-WEB.pdf
Claims Code of Practice Building Integrity in Voluntary Carbon Markets. https://vcmintegrity.org/vcmi-claims-code-of-practice/
How additional is the Clean Development Mechanism https://climate.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2017-04/clean_dev_mechanism_en.pdf
Carbon farmers are raring to go, but experts say the soil carbon method is flawed. https://www.smh.com.au/national/carbon-farmers-are-raring-to-go-but-experts-say-the-soil-carbon-method-is-flawed-20230112-p5cbzi.html
Energy is at the center of decarbonising the economy, and we need all hands on deck to do it, so why not start here?
Your co-hosts Bronte Wilson and Adam White will provide jargon-reduced insights into the Australian Energy Transition, a transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent and centralised energy system to a decentralised renewable-based one.
You can expect short explainer episodes on some of the key challenges and opportunities, as well as longer Q&A episodes with industry experts. Topics for Season 1 range from the future of solar panel recycling to the state of our clean energy innovation ecosystem, and the role of community batteries in our future grid.
If you’re passionate about climate change or the energy industry or just want to learn more about the Energy Transition please plug in.
To kick off Series 1 of the podcast, we are unpacking exactly how large the scale of the energy transition in Australia is. Whether you work in the energy industry or not, it can be helpful to zoom out and look at the big picture before diving into specific topics. There is no denying that the challenge of transforming our centralised energy system to a decentralised renewable system is immense, but with this comes great opportunities and more importantly, critical climate stakes.
This podcast was supported by information from AEMO’s 2022 ISP Report which you can find here;https://aemo.com.au/en/energy-systems/major-publications/integrated-system-plan-isp/2022-integrated-system-plan-isp
As an industry, we often talk about innovation and think of all the technology involved in our sector, but today we talk about another area where innovation is just as important to ensure the energy transition succeeds, the lights stay on and the beer stays cold- Business Models and Services. To unpack this seemingly dry topic, we have Joshua Harvey at Photon Energy. Learn more about Phonton Energy’s end-to-end service offerings here https://photonenergy.com.au/