Conference Day One – Monday 30 October 2017
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:
Megan Fisher, Head of Digital and Innovation, AusNet Services
Peter Tickler, Digital Innovation and Advisory Leader, ERM Power
Craig Chambers, Executive General Manager - Strategy, Portfolio and Innovation, Energy Queensland
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 results of the trial to date
Gregory Abramowitz, Manager Market Development, AGL Energy
12:15 | Examining investment models and financing challenges for new energy technologies
- Overcoming the challenges of policy uncertainty in Australia
- Securing client’s superannuation funds while making investments in new technologies
- Facilitating the progression of clean technologies in Australia
Simon Sheik, Founder and Managing Director, Future Super
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.
- Understanding the challenges and advantages of peer-to-peer electricity trading
David Martin, Managing Director, Powerledger
- Implications of the gas exports restrictions on the electricity market
Simon Camroux, Manager Wholesale Market Regulation, AGL Energy
- Data analytics and consumer insights
Benjamin Zisser, Founder and Managing Director, IN 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