2025 Agenda

Become an instant expert. Specifically for professionals new to the energy sector, this workshop will take you through the multiple agencies and major players in the Australian market. Designed for junior to middle managers who may not have experience or qualifications in energy. If you are still figuring out the difference between DR and DER, this workshop is for you. 

Upon completion of the workshop, attendees will: 

• Understand the history and context of the Australian energy industry 

• Be able to confidently identify key players in the industry and how they interact 

• In-depth knowledge of current issues (and their acronyms) 

• Insights into future challenges and opportunities in the Australian energy sector 

Outline: 

08:30 Registration and coffee 

09:00 History and context of Australian energy 

• Why things are the way they are, and how we got to where we are now 

10:30 Morning tea 

11:00 Who’s who in Australian energy, and how they interact 

• Who’s who, the laws and rules that govern how they interact, what are their objectives, and a host of acronyms and what they mean 

12:30 Lunch 

13:30 Current issues / what is happening now 

• To include cost reflective pricing, duck curves and grand canyons, uptake of consumer energy resources, Integrated System Plan, and government interventions

15:00 Afternoon tea 

15:30 Future challenges and opportunities 

• To include the transition to net zero, energy usage and demand forecasting, electrification of homes and transport, future trading arrangements, community energy, the role of storage, what is the future of gas, and does nuclear energy have a role to play in Australia? 

17:00 Concludes 

This masterclass delves into the intricacies of renewable generators’ bidding behaviours in energy markets dominated by renewable energy sources. Participants will explore how renewable energy producers navigate the unique challenges of these markets, influenced by fluctuating supply-demand dynamics and government incentives.  

With insights from expert researchers, this masterclass offers a comprehensive understanding of efficient bidding practices that maximise profitability while maintaining system stability. It is ideal for energy professionals aiming to optimise renewable generation in high-penetration renewable markets. 

08:30 Coffee and registration 

09:00 Analysing market dynamics in high renewable penetration markets 

• Identifying challenges in managing fluctuating market prices driven by variable renewable energy supply 

• Understanding how renewable penetration affects supply-demand balances and market volatility 

• Evaluating market structures to encourage more efficient bidding practices among renewable energy producers 

10:30 Morning tea  

11:00  Understanding bidding behaviours of renewable generators 

• Investigating common bidding strategies employed by renewable generators to maintain profitability 

• Assessing the impact of renewable energy subsidies and incentives on bidding decisions 

• Examining the role of generator flexibility in responding to dynamic market prices 

12:30 Lunch  

13:30 Balancing intermittent supply with accurate forecasting 

• Leveraging advanced forecasting models to predict renewable output and optimise bidding accuracy 

• Reducing curtailment by aligning bids more effectively with anticipated generation profiles 

• Integrating weather data to improve forecast precision and enhance market participation 

15:00 Afternoon tea 

15:30 Leveraging market mechanisms to boost profitability 

• Exploring options like demand response, capacity markets, and ancillary services to enhance revenue streams 

• Participating in energy storage systems to smooth supply and support more competitive bidding 

• Engaging in price arbitrage opportunities by better aligning generation schedules with market prices 

This masterclass focuses on strengthening local energy systems to be future-ready, sustainable, equitable and resilient. Attendees will learn about innovating along with community energy groups and local governments as our energy systems transform and demands intensify at the local level.

It will guide participants through the options for building, owning and governing the infrastructures at the grid-community interface including community-scale renewables, batteries, electrification programs and EV charging. It will demonstrate the alignment needed between the energy sector and community stakeholders as we each play our role in local energy transitions.

We will explore tools for collaboration between utilities, communities and policy makers and on addressing barriers together. This masterclass is designed to facilitate understanding of the bottom-up view of the energy transition and how energy sector partners might support communities by creating replicable solutions for challenges facing our local energy systems as we transition. As the interface between distributed energy, local energy systems and decision makers becomes more complex, this masterclass will provide essential expertise for energy practitioners, policy makers and community leaders.

08:30     Coffee and registration

09:00     Local energy transitions - what does it mean?

·        Understanding innovation, transition and disruptive change

·        Local energy systems in international contexts

·        Developing a future energy horizon

·        Identifying challenges to local energy transitions

10:30     Morning tea

11:00     Energy transition planning at the local scale

·        Resource assessment at the feeder and substation levels

·        Energy services - what energy really provides

·        Electrification, flexibility and resilience - exploring the options

·        Community values and benefits- what do communities need and want their energy system to do?

12:30     Lunch

13:30     The economics of local energy investments

·        Business models for local energy transitions

·        The business case for community batteries

·        Decentralised vs centralised value flows

·        Local energy transitions and AEMO’s Integrated System Plan

15:00     Afternoon Tea

15:30     Governing local energy transitions

·        Governance basics - decisions that honour the social contract

·        Control - of what? By who? And with whose permission?

·        Revisiting the smart grid

·        Energy futures that support local action

17:00     Concludes 

This one-day intensive masterclass is designed for reporting officers, communications managers, emissions and carbon leaders, and those responsible for ensuring their organisation’s sustainability reporting meets all the current regulatory requirements while effectively communicating their commitment to environmental stewardship to their internal and external stakeholders. 

Participants will emerge with a robust understanding of sustainability reporting and be equipped with practical strategies and skills to elevate their practices, ensure compliance, foster stakeholder trust, and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

08:30 Registration and coffee  

09:00 Grasping the key principles and objectives of sustainability reporting 

• Digging into the importance of transparency and accuracy in sustainability disclosures 

11:00 Understanding Australian sustainability reporting regulation 

• Exploring how to align global reporting frameworks within the Australian context 

12:30 Lunch  

13:30 Creating and utilising key metrics for impactful sustainability reporting 

• Mastering data collection, validation, and quality assurance processes 

• Integrating sustainability goals with overall business strategies 

15:00 Afternoon tea  

15:30 Ensuring compliance with disclosure requirements and best practices for reporting 

• Develop compelling narratives and visuals that resonate with stakeholders 

• Srategies for enhancing transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement 

17:00 Concludes  

• Securing large-scale renewable energy projects to reduce emissions 

• Investing in energy storage to stabilise renewable supply and ensure grid reliability 

• Expanding decarbonisation products for customers 

• With five years to go, how close can the energy sector generally and EnergyAustralia get? 

In November 2024, the Australian Government announced a review of the National Electricity Market (NEM) wholesale market settings by an independent expert panel. The purpose of the review is to recommend wholesale market settings to promote investment in firmed, renewable generation and storage capacity in the NEM following the conclusion of Capacity Investment Scheme tenders in 2027. 

• Addressing the need for comprehensive market reform to optimise electricity grid operations 

• Evaluating potential changes to pricing and dispatch mechanisms for more efficient energy distribution 

• Considering the role of new technologies and regulatory frameworks in shaping a modernised NEM 

• What are the pivotal changes required within the sector to facilitate the energy transition amidst global complexities?
• What are physical constraints within the network, supply chain, or workforce that present the most significant challenges?
• What are potential areas where increased investment and trade could help accelerate the transition?
• Will high energy prices, social licence issues, and cost-of-living pressures trigger intervention?
• How can leaders steer the sector through this transformative period?

• Identifying where current systems can fall short and how they need to evolve to meet customer expectations and modern energy demands
• Leveraging data and artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and personalise service
• Navigating regulatory shifts while safeguarding affordability and access for vulnerable customers

• Enhancing project certainty in an era of regulatory change 

• Aligning with evolving policies to unlock investment opportunities 

• Engaging stakeholders to influence supportive energy policies 

• Leveraging flexibility in the portfolio to manage future regulatory risks 

• Is the federal government being too ambitious or not showing enough bravery in regulation and policy?  

• How can we balance the urgency of the energy transition with rising cost-of-living concerns? 

• How can the government balance subsidising energy prices to ease cost-of-living pressures without delaying investment? 

• Could a lower cost energy transition be achieved by focussing on deliverability strategies? 

• Extending asset lifespan to reduce network upgrade costs and improve operational efficiency 

• Implementing proactive maintenance strategies to prevent costly repairs and unplanned outages 

• Streamlining compliance with evolving regulations to minimise fines and maximise investment returns 

• Leveraging smart monitoring systems to optimise asset performance and cut operational expenses 

• Streamlining network investments to reduce household energy bills and support renewable integration 

• Aligning energy market reforms to lower costs while ensuring reliable, clean energy access 

• Enhancing grid flexibility by improving transmission planning and infrastructure deployment 

• Encouraging consumer engagement through innovative energy pricing models that reduce peak demand and improve efficiency  

• Firming up variable renewable energy generation using batteries, pumped hydro, and peaking gas-fired generation on time to support the increasing investment in renewable energy 
• Ensuring gas availability and evaluating the economic efficiency and lower long-term carbon impact of investing in gas import terminals to support demand
• Transitioning to renewable fuels to support long-term decarbonisation goals

• Which technologies have the potential to transform the energy landscape in the next decade, considering technical readiness, commercial viability, scalability, and whether certain sectors or industries should be prioritised over others? 

• What is the optimal balance between centralised big impact projects, versus decentralised initiatives (thousands of small impacts which all add up)? 

• Unconstrained thinking - what are the blue-sky technologies which could unlock the greatest changes?  

Join us for breakfast—a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in the energy sector while enjoying a dynamic panel discussion on critical energy issues.  

This event sold out in 2024, so be sure to register early to secure your spot. Tickets are exclusive to Energy Week attendees and cost $50, with all proceeds going to support Women & Children First. Don’t miss out on this prime networking experience! 

[Time: 7:00am arrival - 8:15am finish] 

• How can the energy sector collaborate with heavy industry, transport, and utilities to create integrated decarbonisation strategies? 

• What innovative financing mechanisms or partnerships can drive cross-sector investments in clean energy infrastructure? 

• How do we manage the competing timelines for decarbonisation across sectors with different regulatory environments and technological readiness? 

• What is the role of digitalisation and data sharing in enabling cross-sector energy efficiency and emissions reduction efforts? 

• Redefining distribution network planning to account for the impact of consumer-driven shifts 

• Defining the new models required for managing future opportunities and challenges 

• Examining the case for evolution from Distributed Network Service Providers (DNSPs) to Distributed System Operators (DSOs) 

• Putting customers at the heart of the new digital grid as distributed energy resources, including electric vehicles impact operations 

• Identifying the technologies, capabilities and mindset that can meet new expectations  

• Finding new paths to value while maintaining security of supply and managing operational complexities 

• How to fast track what is needed in the next decade and avoid stranded assets? 

• How can a grid system be designed to be flexible enough to cope with potential paradigm shifts in how energy is produced, used, and transmitted? 

• How is each state approaching the opportunity for increasing solar through dynamic connections?

• Improving energy security 

• Enhancing grid reliability and supporting integration of renewables 

• The Energy Storage Roadmap: pathway to hitting Australia’s renewable targets 

• How data fabric breaks down silos between legacy systems and new energy technologies
• Enabling real-time operational decisions during peak demand and grid congestion
• Enhancing grid resilience through predictive analytics powered by unified data
• Case studies from global utilities or global examples showing tangible outcomes

• Facilitating investment into the infrastructure necessary to enable a more stable grid
• Grid stabilising mechanisms and the implications for bankability
• Using financing concession as a tool to incentivise smarter deployment of consumer energy resources

• Successfully installing the first NEM-registered system
• Reducing operational costs by eliminating maintenance for extensive powerlines serving single premises
• Eliminating outages and mitigating fire risks by removing poles and wires from bushland
• Providing multiple power sources for remote customers affected by natural disasters and prolonged restoration times

• Integrating AI-driven insights to anticipate demand spikes, ensuring real-time grid stability and operational efficiency 

• Applying data integration strategies to enhance real-time decision-making and optimise grid infrastructure use 

• Adapting grid management tools to decentralised energy systems, ensuring continuous stability in a renewable energy landscape 

• Encouraging households to adapt energy consumption based on electricity prices and grid demand, improving grid stability and efficiency 

• Collaborating with partners to create innovative flexibility offerings that incentivise residential consumers to reduce energy use during peak demand 

• Testing practical flexibility models to alleviate local network pressures, ensuring more efficient investments in the electricity grid 

• Addressing the challenges of unmanaged rooftop solar to ensure grid stability. 

• Enabling renewable energy expansion while minimising the need for large-scale coal or gas-fired power plants 

• Leveraging virtual power plants (VPPs) to create efficient localised systems 

• Coordinating DER to improve network efficiency and lower energy costs for consumers 

• How are distribution networks evolving with the impact of CER and demand for LV flexibility? 

• What is the role of storage across HV/MV/LV and how are transmission and distribution responding? 

• What is the evolution of a digital grid for resilience and climate risk? 

• Where is the innovation happening in electricity grids (e-mobility, electrification, aggregation, CER)? 

• Accelerating renewable deployment to replace retiring coal assets and meet 2030 emissions targets
• Prioritising investment in firming technologies to ensure grid reliability amid variable renewable inputs
• Implementing advanced grid management systems to optimise integration of diverse energy sources

• Establishing efficient connections process and Transpower’s Connection Management Framework 

• Initiatives to improve throughput to reduce connection time benefiting generators, distributors and consumers 

• Monitoring, tracking and visibility of the connections queue 

• Increasing transmission capacity to integrate wind, solar, and storage projects 

• Strengthening grid connections to ensure affordable and reliable energy supply 

• Repurposing mining and industrial sites to accelerate clean energy transitions 

• Integrating innovative technology to optimise energy production and improve efficiency
• Reducing reliance on traditional fuels by advancing cleaner energy generation methods
• Upgrading systems to boost output while minimising emissions and operational costs

• Developing transmission lines to integrate wind power into the national grid 

• Constructing substations to manage energy distribution and grid stability 

• Expanding road networks to transport turbine components efficiently 

• Strengthening local infrastructure to support long-term operations and maintenance 

• How might subsidies for fossil fuels affect renewable investments?  

• Will incentivising new capacity enhance grid reliability or stifle renewable adoption and clean tech innovation?  

• Could market intervention through this scheme distort competition? 

• Should we rely on market incentives to deliver the best outcomes or is braver policy and regulation required?  

• Are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) part of the solution and what is the impact to renewable investments? 

• How are markets varying in structures and what will the NEM vs. WEM look like? 

• Incentivising clean energy investment to drive market participation and promote long-term economic sustainability 

• Aligning policy frameworks to reduce risk, enhancing investor confidence in renewable energy projects 

• Encouraging public-private collaboration to boost the financial viability of clean energy initiatives across global markets 

• Coordinating coal plant closures with renewable energy deployment and storage capacity to ensure stable power supply 

• Investing in reskilling and alternative employment opportunities to minimise social and economic impacts in coal-dependent regions 

• Ensuring strong government frameworks to attract investment in clean energy and maintain energy security during the transition 

• Addressing intermittent renewable generation with gas to ensure reliable energy supply during the transition 

• Exploring technologies to cut emissions from gas while maintaining its role in energy security 

• Leveraging natural and renewable gas to meet the demand for cost-effective energy solutions 

• How is the role of gas in the energy system changing, and what will shifting patterns of consumption mean for gas users? 

• How will gas supply and electricity infrastructure constraints play out in times of high demand? 

• How do we balance the needs of hard-to-abate industrials with the gas needs of other customers until renewable gas supply is more readily available? 

• What role should renewable gases play in a decarbonised future? 

• Addressing rising wholesale prices to improve affordability and reduce the burden on consumers 

• Managing supply challenges to ensure a reliable energy system during Australia's energy transition 

• Enhancing competition among retailers to promote fair pricing and better service offerings across the market  

• How ready and able is the market to support all consumers in the energy transition? 

• How can improved customer service, better communication and complaint handling drive trust? 

• Does prioritising renewable energy sources demonstrate commitment to sustainability and consumer interests? 

• How can energy companies differentiate themselves in an era of historically low levels of trust from the public? 

• The role of dynamic pricing in unlocking DER
• Moving beyond the VPP model for home battery automation
• Realising the potential of Vehicle to Grid

• Integrating diverse flexible demand technologies to optimise energy use and increase efficiency across customer sites 

• Participating in AEMO market schemes to monetise untapped demand response and improve market stability 

• Commercialising Smart Energy Hubs to realise revenue streams and support energy system resilience through flexible demand 

• Establishing impartial dispute resolution services to ensure fair treatment of landowners hosting renewable energy infrastructure 

• Creating a streamlined referral system to connect residents with the appropriate agencies for swift complaint resolution 

• Providing accessible and transparent complaint handling to build trust between communities and renewable energy developers 

• Overcoming the challenges of traditional debt prediction and treatment methods  

• Proactively engaging vulnerable customers early enough to offer support   

• Getting in early with AI and Behavioural Science to change customer payment behaviour  

• Removing historical inequity in remote Aboriginal communities to deliver power upgrades for a safer, more reliable service 

• Building a new customer protection regime specifically for remote and vulnerable communities 

• Maximising the value of renewable energy solutions with community energy initiatives 

• How can a balance be struck between clear rules with strong better consumer protection AND maintaining market competitiveness? 

• Which regulations can be simplified to lower costs and improve consumer services? 

• What regulatory change might better help low income families? 

• How could reform incentivise energy retailers to adopt new technologies and business models? 

• Would reform promote a more competitive retail market by reducing unnecessary administrative pressures? 

• Evaluating the faster deployment of battery storage to deliver quicker grid stabilisation and support renewable energy growth 

• Assessing the long-term storage capabilities of pumped hydro to provide sustained energy supply during extended grid demand 

• Comparing cost and scalability factors to optimise storage solutions for large-scale projects like the 500MW/1,000MWh Liddell project and national energy resilience  

• Increasing energy density to enhance storage capacity in smaller, more efficient containers 

• Reducing land use by designing compact, high-capacity battery solutions 

• Leveraging advanced thermal management to improve battery safety and lifespan 

• Streamlining installation with modular systems to accelerate energy transition projects 

• Enhancing grid stability by storing surplus energy for use during low renewable generation periods 

• Increasing network capacity through the strategic use of BESS  

• Facilitating better energy reliability and flexibility through a mix of battery and pumped hydro solutions 

• Leveraging energy storage to meet emissions targets and manage peak demand efficiently 

• Reducing barriers to fast-track long-duration storage projects for grid resilience and energy security 

• Enabling solar households to store excess energy for greater financial benefits and grid stability 

• Reducing the need for personal batteries by offering a shared, low-cost community solution 

• Supporting Australia's renewable energy transition through localised, cost-effective energy storage solutions 

• Enabling the integration of more CER such as rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicles and smart appliances to work more effectively with our energy systems 

• Incentivising and motivating customers to participate in a clean energy future 

• Evolving CER assets into virtual power plants to benefit both the customer and network 

• Implementing real-time energy management to increase rooftop solar adoption in regional WA 

• Extending energy orchestration capabilities using DERMS technology 

• How can VPPs contribute to grid stability in the short term? 

• What are the long-term economic impacts of VPP adoption on consumers? 

• How will VPPs shape Australia’s transition to renewable energy? 

• Can regulatory reform enable greater renewable penetration and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources? 

• Integrating battery storage and generation assets with data centres to provide reliable backup power and reduce grid dependency 

• Utilising large-scale batteries and on-site generation to manage peak demand and energy market exposure, to optimise energy costs for data centres 

• Managing volatility in energy markets to protect long-term investment returns for battery storage operators 

• Leveraging multiple revenue streams, such as grid services and wholesale markets, to reduce financial risk 

• Reducing exposure to short-term market fluctuations by securing power purchase agreements and other long-term contracts  

• What are the best approaches to overcoming grid connection challenges? 

• What are the flexible policies that cater to diverse technologies to enhance market participation? 

• Would targeted financial support accelerate investment and create a more balanced energy market? 

• What role do transmission networks play in enabling storage deployment? 

• Outlining the Climate Change Authority’s ideas and policy recommendations for what’s needed post-2030 

• Exploring the complementary measures needed for more nascent or emerging solutions, or those with different economics 

• Addressing infrastructure gaps to ensure reliable energy supply during the transition 

• Building transmission networks and storage to integrate renewable energy and replace aging coal plants 

• Streamlining regulatory approvals to accelerate clean energy projects 

• How can market design incentivise renewable investment without risking grid stability? 

• Should regulations for demand management be prioritised over infrastructure expansion? 

• What role should government play in balancing affordability and decarbonisation targets? 

• Can markets coordinate entry and exit of capacity during the transition? 

• Strengthening network infrastructure to ensure consistent energy supply for consumers during extreme weather events 

• Installing alternative supply solutions to improve energy access for underserved and remote customers 

• Mobilising rapid response teams to minimise the impact of outages on energy consumers and vulnerable communities 

• Empowering consumers with local support officers to enhance communication and improve disaster readiness 

• Placing the role of network pricing in the overarching CER reform package
• Exploring the potential of new technologies to reduce consumer costs
• (Re) building the energy system for the consumers we have rather than changing consumers to meet the system
• Evaluating tariffs to distinguish between theoretical efficiency and practical effectiveness in real-world applications

• How realistic is a 2030 retirement target? (Are we going to meet Australia's climate targets?) 

• What should be done now to guarantee grid stability as we move to a generation system dominated by renewable energy sources and battery storage? 

• How can investment in firming technologies like pumped hydro be accelerated to ensure reliable, low-emission backup power? 

• Drawing a value proposition for renewable energy development (including transmission) in regional communities 

• Focussing on tangible local benefits rather than “global benefits” – such as climate change, net zero etc 

• Addressing specific local issues to rebuild support for national projects 

• Engaging customers in tariff design to drive more flexible and responsive energy consumption 

• Offering dynamic pricing models to incentivise load shifting and reduce peak demand pressures 

• Improving transparency in tariff structures to help consumers make informed energy decisions 

• Collaborating with stakeholders to create adaptable tariffs that align with future energy needs and technologies 

• How are vulnerable households coping with rising green energy costs, and what interventions could ensure energy affordability for all? 

• What are the barriers to including vulnerable populations in energy transition policy decisions, and how can participation improve outcomes? 

• How can government assistance and market reforms alleviate the growing energy burden on low-income Australians?