On this episode of First Fuel Luke is joined by the Energy Efficiency Council's founding CEO and long-time Head of Policy, Rob Murray-Leach.
Now an independent consultant, Rob has commissioned by the EEC and RACE for 2030 to produce a green paper on energy governance reform in the National Electricity Market.
In a conversation coinciding with the green paper's launch for consultation, Luke and Rob discuss how Australia ended up with our current energy governance system, why it needs a revamp to meet the challenges of the energy transition, and some of the broad directions for reform set out in the green paper.
A white paper with firm recommendations will be released later this year.
On this episode of First Fuel, Luke is joined by Australia's Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Bowen.
Recorded live at the EEC National Conference 2025, they discuss what hosting a global climate change conference in Adelaide in 2026 would mean for Australia, why efficiency and electrification will be a big priority in the Albanese Government's second term, and the role of the Commonwealth in providing the information households need to make decisions about investing in new gas appliances, or going electric.
On this episode of First Fuel we're joined by Energy Consumers Australia CEO Brendan French to discuss ECA's 2024 Consumer Energy Report Card.
Brendan and Luke talk about how Australians are feeling about energy in 2024, why social license is just as big an issue in the suburbs as it is in the regions, and the actions we need to take to ensure every household benefits from the transition.
On this special episode of First Fuel we catch up with Australia's Assistant Minster for Climate and Energy Josh Wilson on the ground at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Luke and Josh discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election on global climate talks, how we're tracking on the big global energy efficiency target set at COP28, and how global factors will impact Australia's emissions reduction ambition as we look towards 2035.
On this episode of First Fuel we're joined by Climate Change Authority CEO Brad Archer to dig into their latest blockbuster report, the 2024 Sector Pathways Review.
This a big report that digs deep into decarbonisation pathways for six key economic sectors, as well as the cross cutting actions governments will need to pursue to get us on a trajectory to net zero by 2050.
Luke caught up with Brad at CCA HQ in Canberra to talk about the big take outs from the report, the implications for Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target, and what the CCA means when it talks about a 'zero carbon mindset'.
On 1 August, Matt Kean will become chair of the https://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/. Over a parliamentary career spanning 13 years with two state premiers, Kean has been NSW's Treasurer, Environment Minister, Innovation Minister, Energy Minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. When announcing his resignation from politics just one month ago, Kean made it clear that the next phase of his career will be in the energy transition. In this timely episode, Luke and Matt discuss the different directions he was pulled in as an energy minister, Australia's critical behind-the-metre challenges, and what it was like to take the call from Chris Bowen pitching him his new role, while standing on a crowded train. The episode was recorded just after Kean stepped off stage at the 2024 Australian Clean Energy Summit, where he'd called on industry to "put its money where its mouth is." In a packed 30 minutes, Kean explains that challenge further, and discusses sectoral decarbonisation and how to engage different parts of the economy in deeper ways. "The energy transition is in Australia's interest, and our national interest, and we should be out there arguing the case." Connect with us: eec.org.au Follow us on Linkedin Email us at firstfuel@eec.org.au To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit podfollow.com/first-fuel/home
In Episode 91 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Victoria’s Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, and Minister for State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio.
As Australia’s longest serving current Minister for Energy – and with Victoria’s ambitious decarbonisation targets and a range of new policy measures – Minister D’Ambrosio had plenty to catch us up on.
In this 30 minute deep dive, Luke and the Minister trade war stories after a decade in their respective roles, and cover both the details and the vision behind:
- the minimum rental standards currently out for consultation in Victoria
- the first strategic review of the flagship Victorian Energy Upgrades program as it reaches its 15th birthday
- Showing industry what’s possible via Victoria’s Large Energy User Electrification Support Program
- the role of the federal government to work with the states via programs such as GEMS
… and much more.
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Email us at firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
First Fuel returns with a very special episode this month, featuring none other than Amory Lovins, co-founder of RMI and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University.
At the end of an incredible week that included Australia's first Industrial Decarbonisation Summit and the 2024 EEC National Conference, Amory joined our host and EEC CEO Luke Menzel to reflect on where Australia finds itself at this point in our energy transition.
Luke and Amory also discussed Amory's history with Australia, his thoughts on the potential for energy management in the near and long-term future, nuclear power and much more. As you'd expect from the man dubbed 'the Einstein of Energy Efficiency' this is a wide-ranging, solutions-focussed 30 minutes of conversation that is overflowing with ideas.
A guest of the EEC at 2023's National Energy Efficiency Conference, Dr Jessica Granderson directs the Building Technology and Urban Systems Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and is one of the world’s foremost experts on building efficiency and energy management.
In this episode, Luke and Jessica explore the ins and outs of smart buildings, discussing how software can be used as an overlay to traditional building technology; how governments can advance policies that incentivise the market; how building users interact with flexible loads; and most importantly, how all this smart building potential can be turned into reality.
What’s apparent is just how much can be achieved using existing technology and systems, which will be able to interact with future technology. But as exciting as coming innovations may be: we don't need to wait.
Of the many positives to come from the 2023 National Energy Efficiency Conference, one of the biggest was the opportunity to bring Jan Rosenow to Australia for the first time.
In the world of energy efficiency, Dr Rosenow needs little introduction. With his day job leading European Programs at the Regulatory Assistance Project, Jan also serves on the Executive Committee of the International Energy Agency’s demand-side management program, and sits on the board of the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (he also makes time to maintain an excellent social media presence).
After delivering his keynote at the conference, Dr Rosenow sat down with EEC CEO Luke Menzel to reflect on how Australia can effectively prioritise our raft of energy challenges. The pair also discuss their confidence in electrification as the way forward in the building sector, the role of electrification relative to hydrogen in other sectors, and why it’s useful to retain a little scepticism around net zero targets if they’re not immediately paired with plans to hit them.
As always, this episode of First Fuel is a freewheeling ride that goes deep with some of the best minds in the energy efficiency business.
Last month's National Efficiency Schemes Summit was the first of its kind: a national event bringing together participants in all Australia's state efficiency schemes – a remarkable fact by Energy Savings Industry Association President Rod Woolley.
That industry and government, NGOs and consumer groups from right around Australia had never gathered in one room before before to discuss the schemes was, as Luke says, “kind of bananas.” So with the stage lights still warm, we sat down with three key participants to discuss what the day meant and will continue to mean as Australia's schemes mature and diversify to keep pace with our changing energy systems.
Joining Luke to get out of the weeds and talk scheme strategy and impact are Caroline Bennett, CEO of Green Energy and Carbon Management, Steve Procter from the NSW Office of Energy and Climate Change, and Climateworks Centre's Anna Malos.
For more info on the Summit, head to eec.org.au/ness23.
Earlier this month, some of Australia’s biggest companies released a statement to say that even our heaviest industries can transition their supply chains to net zero emissions, and they’re prepared to put the work in.
It won’t be easy, and the pathway is narrow. But thanks to the work of the Australian Industry Energy Transition Initiative, it’s possible.
In Episode 86 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Orica’s Head of Sustainability Troy Powell and Industry Lead at Climateworks Centre, Rob Kelly, to discuss the Energy Transition Initiative and the opportunities it presents to Australian industry.
Read all publications from the Australian Energy Transition Initiative here.
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Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at eec.org.au
Email us at firstfuel@eec.org.au
Along with ambitious commitments to renewable energy, the Albanese Government has set its sights on decarbonisation and energy efficiency, putting the nation's energy policy wonks to work over the summer.
In Episode 85 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel and EEC Acting Head of Policy Alex St John (a man who in his own words, “skews wonk”) discuss the “Summer of Submissions”.
Luke and Alex unpack the EEC's thoughts on the proposed National Energy Performance Strategy, as well as climate-related financial disclosure, the Powering the Regions fund, and of course, reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism.
Connect with our guests:
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Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at eec.org.au
If they don’t already have one, developing a net zero plan is high on the priority list for all Australian businesses. But as most now know, the real job isn’t developing a plan, but putting that plan to work.
In Episode 84 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Kate Levick, co-head of the UK Transition Planning Taskforce Secretariat.
The Transition Plan Taskforce was formed when, in a speech at Glasgow’s COP26, Britain’s then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced that listed companies in the UK would be asked to disclose their transition plans by 2023.
Speaking one year on at COP27 in Egypt, Luke and Kate discuss the Taskforce’s role in defining what best practice business transitions look like; how companies across sectors can ensure the best chance of a successful transition; and what Australian government and businesses can learn from the UK experience so far.
Mentioned in this episode:
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
The Transition Plan Taskforce Disclosure Framework
The Transition Plan Taskforce Implementation Guidance
Key topics:
What is the UK’s Transition Plan Task Force?
What do we mean when we say a transition plan?
The link between financial disclosure and transition plans
Lessons for Australia and the rest of the world
Connect with our guests:
Find Kate at https://twitter.com/katellevick
Find the TPT at https://transitiontaskforce.net/
Connect with us:
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us at firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
Episode 83: Heavy industry, lighter loads: competitiveness through efficiency panel from 2022 Energy Efficiency Summit
This week’s episode of First Fuel is a recording of our panel titled ‘Heavy industry, lighter loads: competitiveness through efficiency’ from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit.
In this panel, speakers Holly Taylor (Chair), Head of Projects, Energy Efficiency Council was joined by Jon Jutsen, CEO, RACE for 2030; Sharon Champness, Manager HR Safety and Environment, Molycop; andAlison Reeve, Energy and Climate Deputy Program Director, Grattan Institute.
The panel discusses the big energy productivity opportunities available in Australia’s industrial sector and the support, skills and policy settings we will need to unlock it.
You can watch a video version of this panel and all our panels from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit at eec.org.au/summit22
Key topics:
‘Easy wins’ for energy efficiency in industry
CRC’s work in decarbonising the industrial sector
Policy signals for incentivising investment
What an industrial energy efficiency strategy needs to have (and not have)
Jobs and skills needed for the energy transition
Connect with us
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
This week’s episode of First Fuel is a recording of our panel titled ‘Batteries of the nation: zero emissions commercial buildings’ from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit.
In this panel, Francesca Muskovic, National Policy Director of Property Council of Australia, was joined by: Davina Rooney, CEO, Green Building Council of Australia; Carlos Flores, Director, NABERs; and David Palin, Sustainability Manager, Mirvac.
This expert panel considers what has been achieved on energy efficiency in Australia’s commercial building sector and how much more there is to do: driving decarbonisation outside the office sector, helping commercial buildings transition from gas to heat pumps, and making sure that commercial buildings are playing there part in a high penetration renewable grid.
You can watch a video version of this panel and all our panels from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit at eec.org.au/summit22
Key topics:
State of play for commercial building efficiency in Australia
The challenge of residual gas use in commercial buildings
Smart integration of all electric buildings into a renewable grid
The case for a national energy saving target
Connect with us
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
This week’s episode of First Fuel is a recording of our panel titled ‘Efficient, Electric and affordable: Creating better homes,’ from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit.
In this panel, Program Director of Climate and Energy at ACOSS, Kellie Caught, was joined by: Vanessa Davis, Researcher, Tagentyere Council; Margot Delafoulhouze, Systems Lead - Cities, Climateworks Centre; and Ben Milsom, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Plenti.
In a wide-ranging session, this expert panel discuss the huge positive impacts of energy efficiency and standardisation on residential homes, particularly on social and low income housing, and those in remote parts of Australia, where energy poverty can create literally life threatening circumstances.
You can watch a video version of this panel and all our panels from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit at eec.org.au/summit22
Key topics:
Connect with us
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
This episode of First Fuel is a recording of the Leaders Panel at the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit. Delivered in person from Sydney, and streamed to a national online audience, the Summit brought together government, global experts, prominent consumer advocates and our largest industry associations for a unique, economy-wide discussion on the role of energy efficiency in this moment and beyond.
In this panel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel was joined by: Edwina MacDonald, Acting CEO, ACOSS; Innes Willox, Chief Executive, Ai Group; Ken Morrison, Chief Executive, Property Council of Australia, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister; and California Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister.
You can watch a video version of this panel and all our panels from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit at eec.org.au/summit22
Key topics:
Connect with us
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us firstfuel@eec.org.au
Recorded in front of an intimate live audience in Melbourne on the eve of the 2022 Energy Efficiency Summit, episode 79 features Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel in conversation with California Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister.
This was Commissioner McAllister’s first visit to Australia in five years, and this fascinating and wide-ranging discussion range from what compelled Ronald Reagan to make energy efficiency central to California’s policy in the 1970s, through to why “the matching of supply and demand is the concept of our time.”
Mentioned in this episode:
California’s Warren-Alquist Act
Key topics:
Connect with our guest:
Find the California Energy Commission at https://twitter.com/calenergyConnect with us:
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
In Episode 78 of First Fuel we bring you a panel discussion from the launch of the Energy Efficiency Council’s sector spotlight on energy management opportunities for Australian farms, released in partnership with the National Farmers Federation in late 2021.
Luke Menzel, CEO of the EEC is joined by Ash Salardini, Chief Economist at NFF, Edwina Beveridge, Blantyre Farms; Dean Cayley, Cayley Farms; and Karin Stark, the founder of the National Renewables in Agriculture Conference. This fantastic panel digs into how the leaders in the Aussie farm sector are approaching smart energy management.
Mentioned in this episode:
Navigating a dynamic energy landscape: A briefing for farms
Connect with us:
Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel
Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au
Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil
Email us at firstfuel@eec.org.au
To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts
