Smart Energy Council

Our senior advisor, Professor Scott Hamilton, recently published an insightful op-ed on hydrogen and its critical role in positioning Australia as a renewable energy superpower 💪 Highlighting research from Cornell University, Stanford University, and The Australian National University, Scott reveals the misleading carbon intensity claims of CCS-derived (blue) hydrogen. Give it a read: https://lnkd.in/gtfp5aTG Joanna Kay Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia #GreenHydrogen #SmartEnergy

Today I was part of the panel discussion ‘Making the planning system work for 82% renewables’ at the Smart Energy Council's Large-scale renewable generation & storage summit. On the fun side I had my 11 year old son Joey with me, we were travelling through Sydney to stay with family. It was a great opportunity to teach him all about networking!! Great panel with fellow panelists Leigh Heaney, Kirstie Richards, Iwan Davies and David Leitch. Great expression and discussion and sharing of ideas. I had the opportunity to chat about the challenges and express my frustration with the NSW Biodiversity Assessment Methodology. I am confident we can meet the target, but both government and developers need to be both innovative and push hard. We have a lot of heavy lifting to do! #RenewableEnergy #EnergyStorage

Great to talk about the future of large-scale solar projects in Australia at yesterday's Large-scale Renewable and Storage Summit. Our panel discussion focused on the enormous opportunity presented by plummeting solar PV and battery prices, which now represent the most economic way to build new power. With the energy density that the 5B Maverick provides, we can focus on leveraging existing infrastructure as much as possible. Great to hear the insights shared from fellow panelists on this important topic - Dr Sophie Scamps MP, John Grimes, Oliver Yates with Wayne Smith moderating. Thanks to the Smart Energy Council for hosting.

Thank you Smart Energy Council for hosting such an interesting day. People say what needs to be said at Smart Energy Council events :) And thanks to fellow panellists Satya Tanner Michael Frangos Byron Serjeantson Natalie Collard and convenor Marilyne Crestias. Was a great discussion!

Yesterday, our COO Byron Serjeantson, represented Flow Power at the Smart Energy Council Large-Scale Renewable Generation & Storage Summit on the panel ‘Social License: Faster Renewables - Better Communities and a Stronger Nature’. The panel discussion was centred around how we can improve social license to better ensure community and environmental outcomes, whilst speeding up lead-in processes for large-scale projects. Thanks to industry leaders Marilyne Crestias, Andrew Bray, Satya Tanner, Natalie Collard, and Michael Frangos for the thought-provoking discussion on the role inclusivity plays in the energy transition, and to Smart Energy Council for bringing minds together to share their experiences and discuss how the industry can make a positive cumulative impact. You can read more about the work Flow Power has been doing to bring positive change, for people and the planet here: https://lnkd.in/eCUuicdU #RenewableEnergy #EnergyTransition #SocialLicense #SmartEnergy

Our founder, Blair Palese and founding member Tim Buckley, along with Simon Holmes à Court - with a comprehensive take down of the #nuclear misinformation campaign - rounded up the Smart Energy Council Large-Scale Renewable Generation and Storage Summit in Sydney this week. Blair's overview of the Australian government's response to the US's Inflation Reduction Act was succinct: Future Made In Australia? More please: ⏫ Larger investment, more ambition 🏃♂️greater speed ✔ Coordinator General to pull it together 📣 Tell us the vision – what’s in it for our community and the nation? 💲 Well-funded First Nations Clean Energy Strategy this year ⌛ Production Tax Credits BEFORE 2027 💲 $ for electrification - incentives, loans, financial mechanisms for businesses & households 🚫 Re-allocate $32.6M from CCS – don’t waste our hard earned $$$ As we outline in our 2024-25 Budget Response, the Forum supports the down-payments that have been outlined to support further investment. But more is needed, and we need to move faster if we are to make the most of the opportunities to secure our energy supplies and build out our future. https://lnkd.in/ggTs3cQU

Another week, another great industry conference, this time with the Smart Energy Council. Great to hear from Natalie Collard from Farmers for Climate Action and Andrew Bray, who offered fantastic perspectives on the afternoon panel around supporting regional Australia to engage in conversations around energy, preserving the environment while rolling out renewables and prioritising social license and tangible community benefits.

Chaired by our very own Leigh Heaney, yesterday's "Making the Planning System Work for 82% Renewables" session delved into the critical challenges and opportunities within NSW's planning framework for large-scale renewable projects. A massive thanks to David Gainsford, the Deputy Secretary of the NSW Planning Department, who was on the panel and provided a comprehensive view of the current state of project planning and the steps needed to accelerate progress. Pinsent Masons's Kirstie Richards and ITK Services Australia's David Leitch were also on the panel, and highlighted the substantial work required for NSW to catch up with leading states in renewable energy deployment. The panellists emphasized the importance of clear and consistent policy directives, improved regulatory frameworks, and the adoption of best practices from other states and countries that have successfully advanced their renewable energy agendas. We absolutely loved the suggestions we heard, including leveraging digital tools for better project tracking, fostering stronger collaboration between government and industry, and ensuring that community and environmental considerations are integrated early in the planning stages to avoid delays. We know this is a session that was anticipated by many, and it didn't disappoint! 🤝 Here's to paving the way for a smoother transition to 82% renewables! #SmartEnergy #NSWPlanning #sustainability #energytransition

The "Social license: Faster Renewables – Better Communities And A Stronger Nature" session at our summit yesterday tackled one of the most critical aspects of smart renewables development. The discussion featured a diverse panel representing farming, First Nations, regional communities, and industry, with introductory remarks by Grant McDowell, CEO of Enosi Energy. Supported by expert chair Marilyne Crestias, panellists Andrew Bray, Satya Tanner, Natalie Collard, Byron Serjeantson, and Michael Frangos shared their perspectives on enhancing social license to ensure positive community and environmental outcomes while expediting the lead-in processes for large-scale projects. The conversation underscored the importance of genuine community engagement, transparent communication, and respect for cultural heritage in building trust and support for renewable energy initiatives. Key insights included strategies for integrating community feedback into project planning, the role of local partnerships in fostering social acceptance, and the benefits of incorporating sustainable agricultural practices and biodiversity conservation into renewable projects. The panel also emphasised the necessity of aligning project timelines with community needs and environmental considerations to create a more harmonious and effective development process. By prioritising social license, we can achieve faster renewables deployment that not only powers our future but also strengthens our communities and natural environment. RE-Alliance LAUTEC Group Farmers for Climate Action Flow Power Indigenous Energy Australia #SocialLicense #RenewableEnergy #CommunityEngagement #Sustainability #EnvironmentalStewardship #FasterRenewables

Before last week's Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC), Ministers Penny Sharpe and Lily D’Ambrosio MP welcomed the Energy Efficiency Council's launch of their roadmap for heat pump hot water systems in Australia ♨️ The Smart Energy Council is thrilled that the ECMC has prioritised fast-tracking minimum energy performance standards for these systems, recognising the urgent need for objective standards to support the booming uptake of this efficient technology. Ministers agreed that due to the urgency of the reforms, this initiative aims to bring standards into effect at least a year earlier than usual, supported with ongoing engagement from the industry through the development of the standards. A huge congratulations to the committed leaders who contributed to the roadmap, and the NSW and Victorian governments that provided funding for its development. Swipe through the roadmap below 👇 John Grimes Wayne Smith Connor Price Connor Woulfe Catherine Van Der Merwe Luke Menzel Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) Tim Piper AM AGL Emerald Rinnai Australia Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP) Rheem Australia AIRAH Dux Hot Water STIEBEL ELTRON Australia Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre Brighte Solar Victoria Energy Savings Industry Association Energy Smart Water Energy Conservation Reclaim Energy MAC Trade Services Electrical Trades Union of Australia Viessmann Climate Solutions NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water NSW Government Victoria State Government (Victorian Government) Hot Water Savings Ecogenica Pty Ltd