Conference Day One - Monday 30 October
Post-conference learning sessions
08:15 | Registration and welcome coffee
08:50 | Opening remarks from the Chair
Luke Reedman, Lead, Energy Transition Pathways, CSIRO
FUTURE PROOFING THE NEM – PREPARING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
09:00 | Developing an agile mindset to help you innovate
- Developing the right cultural climate to speed the way for innovation
- Promoting collaboration inside and outside the company
- Selecting the right innovation methods, tools and processes to transform your organisation
Megan Fisher, Head of Digital and Innovation, AusNet Services
09:30 | PANEL DISCUSSION: How will new technologies and business models reshape the NEM?
- What are the major factors that are driving change in the industry and how might they play out?
- How will digital transformation affect the way the NEM operates?
- Utilities vs regulators – who will truly shape the future?
- What will be the consequences for energy users?
Panel Moderator:
Luke Reedman, Lead, Energy Transition Pathways, CSIRO
Panellists:
Peter Tickler, Digital Innovation and Advisory Leader, ERM Power
Craig Chambers, Executive General Manager - Strategy, Portfolio and Innovation, Energy Queensland
James Seymour, General Manager New Energy, Jemena
FINDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM TECHNOLOGICAL DISRUPTION
10:15 | How new technologies are impacting the way the grid operates
- Responding to disruption with innovation to stay ahead of the market
- Exploiting new technologies to respond better to the demand
- Revolutionizing consumer service with data analysis
James Seymour, General Manager New Energy, Jemena
10:45 | Morning tea
11:15 | Embracing new technologies and ideas – the view from Powershop
- The changing NEM, what are the specific challenges for a smaller retailer and renewable generator?
- How Powershop thinks about deployment of capital of all forms: financial, intellectual and human
- Understanding the need to put customers first
Ed McManus, Chief Executive Officer, Powershop
11:45 | CASE STUDY: Insights into South-Australia’s first ‘Virtual Power Plant’
- How AGL has successfully launched the first ‘Virtual Power Plant’ in Australia
- What were the challenges along the way?
- Insights into some of the resultsof the trial to date
Gregory Abramowitz, Manager Market Development, AGL Energy
12:15 | Insights into Victoria’s renewable energy policy initiatives
Benjamin White, Director Strategy, Insight & Investment, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
12:45 | Networking lunch
RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE ENERGY CONSUMER
13:45 | CASE STUDY: How local customers will benefit from replacing traditional energy companies
- Understanding the concept behind Energy Locals
- What’s the market for locally generated electricity?
- How Energy Locals has managed to keep prices low for their consumers
- Insights into future projects
Adrian Merrick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Energy Locals
14:15 | PANEL DISCUSSION: What does the consumer want?
- What are the factors influencing the consumer’s decision?
- How are customers comparing different solutions available, including solar,batteries and hybrid systems?
- Do consumers want the services being offered today?
- How can utilities innovate to meet these needs?
Panel Moderator:
Luke Reedman, Lead, Energy Transition Pathways, CSIRO
Panellists:
Gavin Dufty, Manager Policy and Research, St Vincent de Paul Society
Ed McManus, Chief Executive Officer, Powershop
Adrian Merrick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Energy Locals
15:00 | Afternoon tea
15:30 | ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS: Attendees will have the option of attending 3 of the concurrent sessions, which will run for 30
minutes each.
Roundtables are interactively moderated group discussions where delegates get the chance to debate and discover common issues, challenges and solutions.
Data analytics and consumer insights
Benjamin Ziser, Founder and Managing Director, i.n Concepts
Can the grid respond to the growing demand for electric cars?
Behyad Jafari, Chief Executive Officer, Electric Vehicle Council
Demand-response mechanism in the NEM
Rob Murray-Leach, Head of Policy, Energy Efficiency Council
17:00 | Closing remarks from the Chair
17:10 | End of Day One and networking drinks
18:30 | Official event dinner