SmartShift™ makes home appliances and batteries smarter

Amber is an innovative Aussie energy company giving households access to the real-time wholesale price of electricity . Customers can make additional savings on power bills by using power at times when it's cheaper and greener,...

The South West Interconnected System (SWIS) is an islanded power system that serves roughly 1.1 million customers in the southwest region of Western Australia. With average and peak system loads of 2.2 GW and 4 GW respectively, while having installed...

The Western Australian State Government’s Energy Transformation Strategy aims to ensure the delivery of secure, reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity to Western Australians now and into the future. A key workstream of the ETS focuses on Distributed Energy Resources (DER). The DER Roadmap has been...

A presentation on an approach of how the ASEAN region may substantially increase uptake of renewable energy, including a summary of energy targets and the results of a technical assessment of the potential for a selection of renewable energy technologies throughout the region

Dr Kerry Schott AO will give a brief review of the Energy Security Board and what it has achieved and its role in the near future.

This will involve the possible developments in the future of the Energy Industry, not only its overall management...

Australia’s 20th century electricity system has operated well as highly-centralised and one-directional grid that has supplied consumers who were largely passive However, the combined forces of decarbonisation, decentralisation, democratisation and digitisation are leading to a very different grid of the 21st century. While there is...

Recent rooftop solar installations in South Australia can be remotely switched off by the operator of Australia’s main grid (AEMO), and other states are expected to follow suit over the next few years. No-one relishes the idea of Big Brother messing with their personal property,...

Horizon Power is nearing the end of three years of technology trials in the town of Carnarvon, 900 km north of Perth in Western Australia. The ARENA funded trials are exploring options for the visibility and control of Solar PV and Battery storage and have...

The global energy system needs to undergo a fundamental transformation to net-zero emissions by 2050 to avoid dangerous climate change. Energy system planning and optimisation have been an active research area to facilitate this great energy transition. Changlong’s PhD project involves the development of a...

Regulatory settings are shifting globally to encourage renewables to be located closer to the sources of demand, and to promote the flexibility of renewables and energy loads. In the US, rule change FERC2222, in the UK, Elexon P379, in Europe, the Clean Energy Package and...

This month Renew’s Melbourne Branch has a panel discussion with Craig Reucassel, broadcaster of ‘Fight for Planet A’ recently broadcast on ABC TV, and ‘Big Weather’ starting on October 13. He is joined by Richard Keech, energy efficiency expert and electric vehicle owner, who will...

In 2019, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) partnered with the UTS Institute of Sustainable Futures (ISF) to investigate the experiences of customers involved in ARENA-funded Distributed Energy Resources (DER) projects. Nearly 100 reports from 20 ARENA-funded projects were analysed to produce insights on customer...

The South-West Interconnected System (SWIS) which powers Perth and surrounding regions is experiencing a ‘clear and present challenge’, a near term system security risk regarding low demand in Spring and Autumn, largely driven by the uptake of rooftop solar PV. This transition to decentralized energy...

The aluminium smelting industry in Australia consumes more electricity than any other industry and it is failing. The key to international competitiveness is electricity pricing, which accounts for around one third of the cost of making aluminium. Australia’s main smelters can become competitive if large...

The Global Smart Energy Summit 2020 will bring together leaders in business, civil society, policy makers and academia to provide a significant contribution to public debate on government stimulus packages and climate change action.

The two-day program features industry and political leaders exploring ways...

The national electricity market is transforming. Hydro Tasmania shares insights on the changing market, how deep storages can increase the reliability, security and affordability of Australia’s grid, and how Battery of the Nation can be a part of Australia’s least-cost future energy system.

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The price impacts of supply side shocks in energy markets can be enhanced in concentrated markets through the exercise of market power, and can be acute in markets undergoing transition due to imperatives such as decarbonisation. In a recent book chapter, we explore how gas...

The Million Jobs Plan is the framework to restore our economy. Beyond Zero Emissions has mapped out how we can rebuild our nation through practical projects that can restore our economy, modernise our industry, reskill our workforce and deliver a bright and secure economic future....

Despite what the polls might say, there is strong and growing support across regional Queensland for an economy sustained by action that reduces and absorbs emissions across all sectors of the economy. The Next Economy has directly engaged over 450 Queenslanders...

The Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland region in Victoria, Australia is facing a period of significant change on a number of fronts including changes associated with energy generation and a move away from coal fired power, climatic conditions including drought and bushfire impact as well...

In its writing on Future Energy Systems, AEMO states that “The NEM, like power systems worldwide, is being transformed from a system dominated by large thermal power stations, to a system including a multitude of power generation resources and technologies of...

The Alternative Technology Association (trading as Renew Australia) has reached a new milestone since its inception in 1980, when Mick Harris and a small band of enthusiasts got together, mainly to show off their latest project, and start a magazine called ‘Soft Technology’ which later...

The world's cities are already responsible for the majority of energy consumption and rapid urbanisation is increasing their dominance. Inconsistent definition and limited data has made it difficult to compare emissions trends among the world's big cities. Here we use a series of remotely sensed...

Jobs have emerged as a key issue for clean energy transition. Currently, there is little data on renewable energy jobs because they are not separately measured by statistical agencies. The Clean Energy Council commissioned the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney to undertake...

Tim Forcey will talk about how heat pumps (air conditioners) can be used for effective space heating, at a much cheaper cost than gas or electric heaters. This is a follow on from his previous talk on hot water heat pumps ( here ). He’ll...

Under the Victorian Climate Change Act (2017) the Victorian government must determine emissions reduction targets for 2025 and 2030. An independent Expert Panel was appointed to advise the Victorian Government on the first two interim targets for 2021-2025 and 2026-2030 and the opportunities to reduce...

Part 1. Demand response: It’s all in the process

The people on the ground are key to implementing demand response and helping keep your business energy costs down. But, it can be hard to know where to start. From common barriers to strategies,...

We often hear that renewables have become the cheapest option for electricity generation. However, they’re not yet being constructed quickly enough to rapidly decarbonise our economy. Supporting infrastructure such as large-scale energy storage and transmission lines hasn’t even really started. Recently, some investors in wind...

ClimateWorks Australia has recently released its seminal report, Decarbonisation Futures: solutions, actions and benchmarks for a net zero emissions Australia, prepared in partnership with CSIRO. This work builds on ClimateWorks’ 2014 Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation report, developed with ANU and CSIRO, which outlined a path...

Eytan Lenko and Heidi Lee present a preview of BZE’s bold new plan to deliver one million clean energy jobs as part of the COVID-19 recovery. Our extensive knowledge base and ten years of climate change solutions are underpinning our recommendations for a bright new...

Vietnam and the Philippines are two of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with increasing energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels. This webinar assesses the opportunities for Vietnam and the Philippines to transition towards 100% renewable energy, and to...

Optimising the mix of behind the meter energy solutions to minimise overall costs and emissions can be complex. Energy efficiency measures can reshape the demand profile, reducing the size and cost of on-site renewable energy and energy storage systems and increasing potential for demand response....

Ellen Sandell is excited to present a webinar on climate action in Victoria. Ellen’s presentation will look at the state of play for climate policy in Victoria, ways we can remain engaged during these uncertain times, and opportunities for renewables to reboot our economy post...

NOTE: All public events at the University of Melbourne have been cancelled in response to COVID-19. However, this event will still proceed as a live webinar.

Recycling became a hot topic in Australia after China imposed bans on the import of certain types...

This is the second seminar in our series exploring industrial-scale demand response. Violette Mouchaileh (AEMO) and Dr Alan Rai (AEMC) will present demand response from the regulators' point of view, including:​ • implications of the rule change allowing demand response to participate in wholesale energy...

As the level of renewable energy in our grid increases, flexible consumption is becoming more important. Industry offers one source of this flexibility. Manufacturers account for around a third of electricity consumption in Australia, and many have the ability to adjust their electricity use according...

Reductions in the cost of PV and batteries have the potential to encourage households to invest in PV-battery prosumage. This may have wide ranging implications for the rest of the electricity system. We explore these system impacts, using two open-source techno-economic models and apply them...

Bryce Gaton will present a layperson’s guide to understanding, choosing and buying an electric vehicle (EV) in Australia. The talk covers the basic technologies and systems that go into making modern day EVs plus the advantages, disadvantages and use cases for each technology. The talk...

In June 2019, Japan announced its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and achieve decarbonization later. In light of its unique characteristics (smaller renewable resources, large presence of heavy industry, issues with nuclear and CCS, etc.), Japan faces many challenges in...

In June 2019, Japan announced its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and achieve decarbonization later. In light of its unique characteristics (smaller renewable resources, large presence of heavy industry, issues with nuclear and CCS, etc.), Japan faces many challenges in...

This seminar explores what can be learned about water markets, and environmental markets and environmental policy reform more generally, from the successes (climate policy ) and failures (water markets) in California and the successes (water markets) and failures (climate policy) in Australia. Moreover, what can...

The Managing Director of the German Energy Agency (DENA), Kristina Haverkamp, presents an update on the German energy transition with a focus on potential areas of cooperation with Australia.

The German energy transition is well advanced....

Tim Forcey will explain how heat pumps capture free renewable heat, whether you should get a heat pump for water heating, the differences between the water-heating heat pumps available on the Aus market. If you already have a water-heating heat pump, tips on getting the...

The fog of Australian politics on climate change has obscured a fateful reality: Australia has the potential to be an economic superpower of the future post-carbon world - Ross Garnaut

In his new book Superpower, Ross Garnaut argues that with Australia’s unparalleled renewable energy...

With the energy transition well underway, innovative energy data use is underpinning a range of developments around the world. The seminar will explore some of the trends acting on the electricity industry, illustrate some global energy data use cases in point, discuss some of the...

The energy transition as an economic opportunity

As one of the world's largest exporters of coal and gas, Australia has been reluctant to embrace the energy transition and establish a decarbonisation pathway that is consistent with the Paris Agreement. However, the transition offers a...

To accelerate the decarbonisation of electricity generation, a more nuanced understanding of incumbent firms’ power and influence is required. Applying neo-Gramscian concepts to sustainability transitions theory, this study investigated the ways in which incumbent actors contributed to the development of residential solar feed-in tariffs in...

As one of the world's largest exporters of coal and gas, Australia has been reluctant to embrace the energy transition and establish a decarbonisation pathway that is consistent with the Paris Agreement. However, the transition offers a significant opportunity for Australia to become a...

When industries decline, workers often lose their jobs. Demands for compensation often arise when political decisions, e.g. international trade deals or environmental regulations, are at the origin of the decline. This requires a calculation of the welfare costs related to job loss.

Using a...

'Storage Ready': What does it actually mean. Aaron Lewtas will be bringing us up to date with the latest developments in storage technology, both for grid-connected and off-grid systems. The various situation requirements and the appropriate system configurations available to satisfy them will be...

The Australian-German Energy Symposium brought together senior members of government, policy, industry, research and community sectors. It was hosted by the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs...

We investigate optimal technology choices for providing H2 at German fuel stations. This includes decentral electrolysers at the stations, as well as central electrolysis plus transport in gaseous or liquid form, or via liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC). In doing so, we explicitly take power...

The 10 Gigawatt vision: How renewable energy can power jobs and investment in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory has an exceptional opportunity to prosper in this new era by converting abundant sunshine into renewable energy. By 2030, the NT Government could help drive...

This seminar will focus on the intersection of the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis - suggesting these are not separate environmental issues, but a global crisis of ecological systems that require an integrated response. Comparing the findings of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity...

Coal use will need to decline dramatically to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. In Australia, renewables are rapidly gaining in cost competitiveness with coal-fired power, and there is the prospect of structural decline in the market for thermal coal exports. This means challenges...

What role will renewable energy play in the energy systems of the future? How will high shares of wind and solar power effectively be integrated into the grid, what does it mean for energy costs, and what role is there for policy to guide the...

Jeremy will talk about his experience in designing various ground-breaking projects, including the Commons Project in Brunswick and is now collaborating with other Melbourne architects to deliver the Nightingale project, which is meant to be an open source model led by architects.

Nadine will...

Germany has set itself a long-term energy policy strategy with ambitious goals including the decision to phase out nuclear power. The Federal Government initiated a monitoring process to review the progress made on attaining the goals. The presentation discusses the progress in Germany’s energy transition...

This presentation will focus on the challenges of renewable energy integration in the smart grid and their mitigation strategies. In doing so, it will also focus on the different domains of the smart grid, grid codes around the world and in Australia. Due to the...

By 2030 up to 45% of our energy generation is predicted to be behind the meter. Households and businesses are no longer passive energy consumers but are actively producing and storing energy through rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles.

At the next meeting of...

The results of the recent Federal election revealed the growing polarisation in regional areas around energy policy and climate action. Nowhere is this more evident than in regional Queensland, where the fight to halt new coal and gas projects is intensifying to all new levels....

Enabling clean energy entrepreneurship is an important component of building climate change responses and strong economies, and entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly important role in providing new technologies and new business models to help achieve emissions reductions. Clean energy entrepreneurship remains, however, a challenging task...

By 2050 global demand for food is projected to increase by 70% leading to demand for increased agricultural production in Australia. This growth is to occur while Australia reduces its greenhouse gas emissions to achieve its commitments under the Paris agreement. However, Australian agricultural emissions...

To end its debilitating ‘climate wars’, Australia needs policies that deliver jobs and prosperity for communities in coal regions that are struggling in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. As examples from overseas (e.g. the Ruhr area in Germany) show, regional industrial diversification is possible...

This presentation will examine the emerging trend of aggregation in its many forms in renewable energy in Australia, including site aggregation, purchaser aggregation, multiple renewable energy aggregation on one site, multi function sites and microgrids. We will look at some recent project examples, and the...

With examples from...

Australia is a world-leader in terms of uptake of small-scale solar photovoltaic systems. This seminar will present research on factors influencing uptake of small-scale solar systems across both postcodes and households in Australia. The impact of Australia’s spatially-differentiated Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) will be...

Richard will talk about the lessons learned from assessing about 500 houses to improve their energy efficiency. He'll look at what are the biggest problems seen in Victorian homes, what motivates people to improve their homes, and what the most important improvements are.

By 2030 up to 45% of our energy generation is predicted to be behind the meter. Households and businesses are no longer passive energy consumers but are actively producing and storing energy through rooftop solar, batteries and electric vehicles. With more of these distributed energy...

Prof Ross Garnaut will deliver a six-part seminar series on the challenges and opportunities of energy transition in Australia. The seminars, which will also be available by webinar, will build the case for the energy transition...

Martin Wainstein is a proud PhD graduate from the Climate & Energy College. In this seminar, he will share the work done over the last year, in founding and leading the Yale Open Innovation Lab (openlab) at the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at...

Prof Ross Garnaut will deliver a six-part seminar series on the challenges and opportunities of energy transition in Australia. The seminars, which will also be available by webinar, will...

Professor Ross Garnaut will deliver a six-part seminar series on the challenges and opportunities of energy transition in Australia. The seminars, which will also be available by webinar, will build the case for the energy transition calling on knowledge of climate science and studies of...

With constantly falling costs and rising efficiencies, wind energy is poised to become one of the cornerstones of Australia’s clean electricity grid. What is the current state of wind in Australia and how might it develop in coming decades?

While wind farms can bring...

In order to fulfil international climate targets, across the globe coal used in the energy sector will need to be phased out until...

To steer electricity investments in the right location, one could rely on price signals from wholesale energy markets. For an investment signal within the borders of existing bidding zones, that would mean market splitting or a transition to nodal pricing. An alternative is to use...

Dr Kerry Schott AO head of the Energy Security Board will talk about the ESBs role, resources and responsibilities.

Dr Schott was a major architect of the National Energy Guarantee, which reflects the role of the Energy Security Board in creating security in the...

Japan has arguably the world’s most ambitious and comprehensive national vision of achieving a hydrogen society—where hydrogen is used in diverse societal applications ranging from mobility and electricity/heat generation to energy storage. In the long-term, this vision seeks to exploit domestic renewable sources such as...

Electricity prices annually continue to rise. There are two potential options to counter this; renewable energies or reducing demand.

This seminar will discuss the options for reducing energy consumption, with a focus on SolXEnergy, a company that has patented technology that can reduce energy...

Franziska Mey will discuss the findings of three significant projects by the Institute for Sustainable Futures:

Transition in employment, updated overview of the number of jobs including a detailed breakdown of specific occupations that will be...

CSIRO recently led the development of a National Hydrogen Roadmap. The purpose of the study was to set out a strategy for turning the emerging technologies that underpin a hydrogen economy into bankable assets, as a foundation for building an economically sustainable industry in Australia....

Paul Clapham will outline the role of waste and resource recovery technologies in a circular economy with specific reference to research undertaken by Melbourne Waste and Resource recovery group (MWRRG) into the future need for solutions to manage residual municipal solid waste (MSW) within the...

The Victorian Climate Change Act 2017 establishes a comprehensive framework to establish Victoria as a climate change resilient, net zero emissions State. The Act also establishes a long-term target of net zero emissions for Victoria by 2050.

This seminar will...

Germany has ambitious goals for transition of its energy system in many dimensions. At this seminar, several researchers from Germany will discuss current trends and issues in Germany’s Energiewende, and give a snapshot of selected research areas. Topics will include transition in Germany’s power sector,...

The transition to low-carbon energy is a national priority for both Australia and Germany. The technological changes underway can unlock economic advantages for energy-intensive industrial processes, mining operations, renewable energies and exporters to the benefit of businesses, consumers and communities. The deep changes in energy...

Jay Weatherill was Premier of South Australia from 2011 to 2018, establishing the state as the nation's clean energy leader, dramatically cutting the state's carbon emissions and opening new business opportunities.

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Australian Industry has a huge demand for heat which is required to manufacture most industrial materials such as metals, plastics, rubber, cement, glass, food, drink and ceramics. Burning coal and natural gas to generate this heat causes about 8% of national greenhouse emissions. There are...

How can the blockchain technology be used in the field of energy? Today and tomorrow. Revolution or just hype?

Join us for a presentation by Dr. Christoph Sutter, live from Switzerland.

Dr. Sutter will explore the role of blockchain as a disruptive technology...

In October 2017, the Victorian Government asked Infrastructure Victoria to provide advice on what infrastructure is required to pave the way for highly automated and zero emissions vehicles in the state. In providing this advice, IV were asked to consider a number of potential future...

In this Energy Transition Hub public lecture, Terry Teoh, Head of Engineering at SIMEC ZEN, will explain the fundamental drivers behind Australia’s emergence as the exciting, global playground for electricity system transformation. Energy storage of various kinds, and battery storage in particular, is a key...

BZE’s Director of Research, Michael Lord, will be presenting a sneak preview of BZE’s new research which will be showcased at the Electrifying Industry Summit, which is set to bring together experts in manufacturing, heat processes and renewable energy technology. The summit will address the...

It's often said that a week is a long time in politics. The almost 100 weeks since the 'black system' in South Australia and the resulting political response can be considered an eternity. During this period, we have seen some of the most significant...

System stability is often quoted as being raised as an issue for the power system now that renewable energy is increasing.

Is this the case or is there a fundamental loss of power system control?

The popular notion of a “Clean Energy Race” has often depicted the success of national wind and solar industries in the global economy as a zero-sum game. The rise of China’s renewable energy sectors in particular has been regarded as a threat to the West,...

Moreland City Council is well know for being one of the more environmentally aware Councils in Melbourne. One of their current projects aims to use waste collection vehicles powered by 100% renewable hydrogen.

This event is co-hosted by the Alternative Technology Association

Ursula Fuentes Hutfilter will present the current state of play of German Climate Policy in the context of the Paris Agreement, focusing on targets for 2020, 2030, and 2050, and, in particular the Climate Action Plan 2050 which has been endorsed by the coalition agreement...

Environmental Justice Australia’s report Toxic and Terminal: How the regulation of coal-fired power stations fails Australian communities is the result of exhaustive research, Freedom of Information searches, surveillance of 10 major power stations on Australia’s east coast, and advice from health experts and industry whistle-blowers....

Anne Pearson, CEO of the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), will discuss the pivotal role that AEMC occupies in changing how the power system is managed in response to the changing generation mix and replacement of traditional coal fired generation with renewable sources. Maintaining energy...

Simon Corbell was appointed as the first Victorian Renewable Energy Advocate in December 2016 to promote the state’s renewable energy sector, provide independent advice to the Victorian Government and assist the state in meeting its renewable energy targets. Simon took up his role in January...

On 14 March, nearly 6 months after its general election, Germany’s new government will be sworn in. What are the top priorities of the new coalition government? Why did it take so long to form government this time? What does this tell us about Germany’s...

As the European Union is financially preparing to deliver on its international environmental commitments, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, it has formed a High Level Group on Sustainable Finance to advise on a deep sustainability reengineering of its financial system....

The breadth of energy research at the Birmingham Energy Institute will be explored through a virtual whistle-stop tour. These include

'Doing Cold Smarter' - the Birmingham Policy Commission makes the case for smarter and more efficient cooling and refrigeration as well as a forthcoming...

Smart infrastructure, such as smart meters, provide the platform for the introduction of innovative, information-based energy technologies designed to promote systemic energy efficiency and to transition energy markets toward more sustainable and cost effective outcomes. Smart meters in particular carry the promise of innovation in...

Rethinking Cement sets out a pathway for modernising cement, eliminating carbon emissions and building strong and durable infrastructure.

Making cement is responsible for 8% of all global emissions. If we don’t rethink cement, we won’t achieve our Paris goals.

Modernising cement is...

Audrey Zibelman, CEO, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) will discuss the pivotal role that AEMO occupies in delivering energy security and reliability amid the energy transition and the work AEMO is doing in this regard, as well as touch on the Finkel recommendations.

She...

Most proposals to limit global temperature rises to well below 2°C rely on 'negative emissions' - the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Scenario analyses suggest that negative emissions technologies (NETs) are necessary to limit dangerous warming.

In this seminar, we will explore three...

During the 1970's, German coal production ceased to be competitve on the world market due to increasing production costs. Coal mining (along with steel production) was the main industry, especially in the Ruhr area of West Germany. To cushion the mass layoffs associated with the...

Curbing greenhouse gas emissions in order to fight climate change is imperative and one can think of two ways to do that. First, a decrease in electricity consumption would decrease the need to burn fossil fuels. Second, a change in electricity generation technologies using renewable...