Conference Day One
Wednesday 24 June 2015
Click here for the Post-Conference In-depth Learning Sessions
08:15 Registration and welcome coffee
08:50 Opening remarks from the Chair
Keith Orchison, Director, Coolibah Pty Ltd
09:00 AGL’s perspective on the state of play in the NEM – is the market broken?
- Analysing the choked state of electricity generation in the NEM
- Falling demand and the consequences for generation
- Overviewing the challenges of integrating more renewable energy into the NEM during a period of falling demand
- Setting the policy priorities for the NEM going forwards
Tim Nelson, Head of Economics, Policy and Sustainability, AGL Energy
Identifying the importance of smart grids and regulation in addressing shifting consumer behaviour
09:30 Stimulating cost reflective consumer behavior through better regulation and economic incentives
- Examining how consumer behaviours are changing and why
- Assessing the benefits of reflective consumer behaviour for all stakeholders
- Identifying the need of cost reflectivity to create different patterns of consumption
- What policies are needed to ensure the NEM functions properly as consumer behaviours rapidly evolve
Hugh Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, United Energy and Multinet Gas
10:00 Building a smarter grid infrastructure to better cope with changing consumer behaviours and expectations
- Reviewing the challenges of implementing smart grids and their opportunities to help drive a more efficient electricity market
- Assessing how smart grid technologies are evolving and have evolved in recent years
- Understanding the impact smart grids would have on the market if installed today
Glenn Platt, Energy Flagship Program Director, CSIRO
10:30 Morning tea
Analysing the changing technology landscape and overcoming the challenges it poses for networks and distributors
11:00 The influence of new technologies on the networks of the future
- What are the new technologies that are having an impact on the NEM now and what might be around the corner?
- Understanding the impact of these technologies on traditional electricity networks
- What will the future grid look like and how might this impact existing players in the market?
- The changes network businesses must make to prepare for the future
Charles Popple, Executive Advisor – Industry Development, AusNet Services
11:30 Examining the vital role of transmission networks in the NEM’s future
- Ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply through infrastructure excellence
- Supporting a low carbon economy through proactive research and development
- Driving down costs for consumers by facilitating a competitive market
Peter McIntyre, Executive Director and Managing Director, Transgrid
12:00 Facing challenges and creating a better climate for future investors in network businesses
- From a “centralised model” to a “distributed generation model” - evaluating the risks for new investors
- Addressing the impact of new entrants and prosumers on investors
- Creating a better investment climate by streamlining regulation and reporting processes
Kevin Kehl, Executive General Manager – Strategy, Regulation & Governance, Energex
12:30 Networking lunch
Implications of integrating renewable energy and distributed generation into the NEM
13:30 Examining the outlook for different forms of distributed generation and their impact on the traditional utility business model
- The rise of self-generation - evolution or revolution?
- Identifying which forms of distributed generation have the inside running in becoming household staples
- What role might community scale generation play in rural and semi urban areas in the next decade?
- Analysing how these emerging trends might impact or fundamentally change the way in which current market operates
Matthew Warren, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Supply Association of Australia
14:00 Keynote Panel Discussion:
Integrating renewables into the NEM – new and existing challenges and opportunities
- Analysing the benefits of the 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET) weighed against the challenges of implementing it in the current market environment
- Does the NEM have the capacity to bring on more renewable energy without the closure of existing generation assets?
- Which renewable technologies are in the best position to meet Australia’s demand for more clean energy?
- What is the most effective way to encourage more investment in renewables in the NEM?
Panel moderator:
Keith Orchison, Director, Coolibah Pty Ltd
Panellists:
Peter McIntyre, Executive Director and Managing Director, Transgrid
Miles George, Chief Executive Officer, Infigen Energy
Matthew Warren, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Supply Association of Australia
Fiona Orton, Manager Energy Policy and Research, AGL Energy
Danny De Schutter, General Manager of ARENA Strategy, Australian Renewable Energy Agency
15:00 Addressing future challenges and opportunities for the Clean Energy Regulator in reducing emissions within the NEM
- Analysing new opportunities for the energy sector under the Emissions Reduction Fund
- What does the ERF mean for Australia’s energy mix?
- Renewables in the Australian energy market - can the new Renewable Energy Target be reached and what is needed to achieve it?
Chloe Munro, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Clean Energy Regulator
15:30 Afternoon tea
16:00 Reducing the carbon footprint - what will be the implications for the NEM?
- Discussing the consequences of uncertainty around the RET
- Highlighting the role solar energy is playing in emissions reduction and the larger role it might play in the future
- Identifying the policy options that could best facilitate a transition to a low carbon economy
Chris Greig, Professor and Energy Initiative Director, University of Queensland
16:30 Panel Discussion:
Analysing the consequences of increasing levels of solar PV for consumers, networks, retailers and generators
- Identifying the benefits and challenges of integrating solar generation into the NEM
- Solar PV - the best way to reduce the peak demand challenge?
- How does solar impact demand profiles in the NEM and how might this change with new technologies?
- Weather restrictions on solar energy - can we address the efficiency challenge?
- What is the impact of solar on the future business models of grid participants?
Panel moderator:
Keith Orchison, Director, Coolibah Pty Ltd
Panellists:
Kate Farrar, Managing Director, Qenergy
Steve Blume, National President, Australian Solar Council
Kevin Kehl, Executive General Manager – Strategy, Regulation & Governance, Energex
Amarjot Rathore, General Manager of Renewable Energy Target Market Operations Branch, Clean Energy Regulator
17:15 Closing remarks from the Chair
17:25 End of Day One and networking drinks
19:00 Official event dinner