Jason McNamara

Whenever I tell someone what SolarZero does, the stat the they find most shocking is that in NZ, only 2.5% - 3% of homes have solar, vs 30 - 40% in other countries. One of the principles that I learned from my time at SolarZero is that while govt subsidies/tax breaks can be perceived as wasteful, what they actually do is send a subtle message to the population that something is 'OK' - their impact stretches far beyond just the monetary value of the subsidy itself. And NZ has never, ever had subsidies - this in part was the genesis of SolarZero's innovative subscription model. So we gotta do something to increase uptake in NZ - it really pains me seeing an empty sun-filled north facing roof, thinking of the potential not only to that homeowner but also to the country more generally. Solar (and especially solar + storage) helps to diversify our grid, reducing the net cost of power for everyone.

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We are on a remarkable journey. Coordinating consumers energy resources to maximise their value to the electricity grid, while also incorporating consumer preferences and controls for the system operator is complex, challenging and dynamic! Direct message me if you want to know more about how we are doing it. My thanks to JourneyOne. BESY, #consumerenergyresources #CER #energytransition

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***𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄***   𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐅 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐋 With 40 years of domestic gas production from the Karratha Gas Plant and 35 years of LNG exports, Woodside Energy is set to see that continue for the next 50 years to come, with the WA Government yesterday confirming approval of Woodside's plan for their North West Shelf project extension!   Since commencing operations in 1984, the North West Shelf Project has supplied more than 6,000 petajoules of domestic gas, powering homes and industry in Western Australia. The announcement of this news will allow Woodside to continue to support local and global energy security and regional development opportunities in the Pilbara in northern Western Australia. Airswift #projectupdate #marketnews #WeAreAirswift

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Throwback to an NZBusiness article from earlier this year: > Sure you might be able to imagine how a new technology or a certain type of experience would benefit your business, but throwing money at the ambition without practical knowledge about how it will work... will at best leave you beholden to external partners to achieve any progress and at worst leave you with less budget and nothing to show for it. Am also still enjoying Fireflies and Loom and the LLMs discussed with David Nothling-Demmer, but believe these standalone tool capabilities will be absorbed into the enterprise suites like Microsoft and Google in the not too distant future. Full article linked in comments below

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VIVA GAS TERMINAL PROJECT - HAVE YOUR SAY TODAY! Today is the last day to provide feedback for VIVA's proposed gas terminal project in Geelong. Your input is crucial as the next stage involves submission to the Minister's office. Share your thoughts via the link below. Key points from the discussion: - Australia might deplete its Bass Strait gas reserves by 2028/2029, emphasising the need to reduce gas reliance. - VIVA plans to install a floating gas terminal near the current wharf, creating local job opportunities and economic growth. - Gas will be sourced from the Middle East, USA, and NW WA to ensure energy supply to Victoria and the Eastern Seaboard. - Extensive studies on marine ecology, noise, local habitat including bird sancturaries, and cultural heritage impact have been conducted. Act now today is the day to have your say on this vital project shaping Australia's energy future! #AustraliaEnergyFuture #Gas #Essentialenergysupply #TransitioningtoaGreenEnergyfuture

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  I am thrilled to announce that Zinfra has been appointed the new delivery partner for Operations and Maintenance Services for the AusNet Distribution Network, commencing on 1 August 2025. This milestone reflects the strength of our longstanding partnership with AusNet, built on a collaborative and transparent approach to delivering quality outcomes. This appointment adds to the recent three-year extension of the Transmission Operations & Maintenance Agreement (TOMSA), following the successful delivery of the initial five-year term. Alongside our continued delivery of Design & Construct Transmission Projects and the establishment of the Pakenham depot, home to over 70 team members supporting AusNet’s Distribution Network. Preparations are already underway and over the next nine months, we will work closely with AusNet to deliver a seamless transition, including welcoming over 490 field and office team members into Zinfra and integrating a new digital solution to enhance efficiencies and outcomes from day one. We’re excited to continue this journey with AusNet, building on our shared vision for excellence in servicing our customers and communities. #Zinfra #Ausnet

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The Atmos Renewables portfolio has grown to 17 assets with the acquisition of the 148.4 MW Wild Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania. https://lnkd.in/gRgcZdqx

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The most efficient and effective way to decarbonise Australia’s energy system is to retire coal and diesel, build out renewables and support them with domestic gas and other forms of storage like batteries and hydro.

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Superb set of take-outs from this Aussie panel on energy storage. This one being my particular favourite: ‘creating social value for communities and stakeholders is front of mind in storage projects’. Q being - who is best placed to own / operate neighbourhood-scale storage, to create this social value for communities and stakeholders? From a report back in 2020 on community batteries (link in comments) the answer seems to be: - EITHER councils / community groups / NFP retailers; - OR EDBs, if some of the storage is leased to market participants to realise the full value stack. Any other thoughts / research on this?

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Hello LinkedIn Legends! So, after nearly 5 years here at AGL my time is soon coming to an end, and I wanted to share a few thoughts on my journey. In September 2019 Dylan Verheijden asked me to apply for a role here. A role where I could make a tangible difference to the existential threat of climate change, build a team, and get to build cool stuff. It was an offer I couldn't refuse, will never forget and will always be grateful for. Fast forward nearly 5 years and, wow, what a difference we've made. Along with developing a World Class Azure .Net/C# platform, recognised by a Microsoft case study and integral to winning the Canstar and Eddison Awards, I've counted fifteen (15) System Integrations over that time period. Everything from Electric Vehicles, Hot Water Systems, Household and Grid Scale batteries, Solar Panels, Deisel Generators, Demand Response Systems, not to mention often more difficult internal integrations. AGL is now the leader in Virtual Power Plant technology and a formidable player in the orchestration of Distributed Energy Resources, the majority of which are renewable... and this is only just the beginning. 15 integrations might not seem like a large number, especially for those coming from a startup culture, but given the navigation of regulation, process and often bureaucracy that naturally comes along with enterprises, this is an incredible feat of engineering. How did I do it? I owe it all the people around me who made this possible - thank you for joining me in creating a calm, measured, blameless and forward-thinking culture. I know there are many others that have helped than who I have tagged below - too many to mention here - thank you also. Nipun Ojha, Joy Woodford, Satrajit Ray, Gavin Gregson, Andrew Matthews, Anselm Chang, Gregory Abramowitz, Darren M., Azra Abolhassani, George Baltatzis, Isaac R., Jarrod Sinclair, Jason Gounder, Libby Cartledge, Monika Singh, Tertia Weilers, Rabia Abrar, Andres Felipe Chaves, Cath McColl (neé Doller), Rob Colson, Andri Purmawinata, David Robinson Hayes, Suneel Vanapalli, Vineet Jhaveri, Conan Sumera, James Edwards, Nima Momeni, Glen Summers, Tom Kelly-Spanner, Caitlin T., Dor Orgad, Peter S I also couldn't go without mentioning the rock-solid support of my lovely wife Brionne Naish. So, what's next for me? More on that soon - I can say I will be hanging up the leadership shirt for a while and reaching for my coding hoody. Peace out -A

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Data Agility: Required to succeed in the Energy Sector Australia's energy landscape is rapidly evolving, and data agility will be key to success over the next several years. AEMO is leading the charge in Australia with several transformative initiatives: + Unlocking CER Benefits: Enhancing flexibility and trading value with consumer energy resources like rooftop solar and EVs to create a more reliable and secure energy system. + Carbon Exchange: Developing the Australian Carbon Exchange with the CER for streamlined, transparent trading of carbon credits and certificates. + API Integration: Transitioning from SFTP for aseXML transactions will improve real-time data exchange, security, and efficiency. Stay ahead by embracing these innovations early. Got questions? Get in touch! #energy #dataagility #innovation #AEMO #renewableenergy #energytransition

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💡 Nuclear Energy 💡 Australia's debate on Nuclear Energy continues. Opposition leader Peter Dutton aims to have the first reactor ready by 2035, however the CSIRO estimates that building a single nuclear power plant could cost up to $17 billion and take over 15 years. While nuclear energy might initially be more expensive than solar and wind, some experts believe it could lead to lower prices in the long term. Globally, there are over 430 active nuclear reactors across 32 countries, with the United States having the most reactors but only generating 18% of its overall energy from nuclear sources. https://lnkd.in/giUb49J5

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A great read, Insightful economical information pertaining to the cost of Nuclear energy vs the long term benefits. Is nuclear energy a sound investment for Australia? What are your thoughts?

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This is an outstanding Centre for Independent Studies energy expert panel discussion on the energy landscape in Australia. Leading organizations in the energy sector often focus solely on weather-dependent renewables for a cleaner grid, missing out on the potential of nuclear energy. This approach has led to gaps in scientific reasoning and missed opportunities for a balanced energy transition. Recently, a panel of experts, including Helen Cook, Chris Uhlmann, Adrian (Adi) Paterson, and Aidan Morrison, presented a compelling case for nuclear energy in Australia and addressed key questions about its feasibility, costs, and timelines. The discussion highlights lessons from other countries' energy transitions and the importance of a balanced approach where nuclear complements renewables. They explored practical steps for integrating nuclear energy into Australia's grid. Australia is the only G20 country with a ban on nuclear energy. This panel provides invaluable insights into how we can rethink our approach and leverage nuclear energy for a sustainable future. #energytransition #nuclear Will Shackel Michael Sharpe AUKUS Forum Nuclear for Australia The Hon. Peter Dutton MP Ted O'Brien MP Angus Taylor MP

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Interesting take here from Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) on Australia's gas strategy. I remain of the view that the first-best way to solve gas supply concerns is by reducing demand (via incentivising electrification, wherever possible). That is the most prudent, least-cost and least-risk approach for consumers, investors and policy-makers.

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The rising cost of living pressures in Australia, energy affordability and reliability are a few top concerns we’re hearing from our customers and these concerns are top of mind for our seniors just as much as they are for other customers. We have been engaging deeply with our Seniors Customer Voice Group to understand their views and preferences to help shape the future of energy for our Electricity Distribution Regulatory Proposal for 2026-31. Sandra Centofanti, Jemena's General Manager, Customer and Commercial who is the Champion for our Senior Customer Voice Group, spoke about her experience. “Accepting the role of Customer Champion was a no brainer for me. I look after the Customer and Commercial team across Jemena networks and being an advocate for all customers across our Group, is just part of my role. To be part of the group, listen, understand what this group’s unique circumstances were and are. It’s really important to understand what’s driving customers today and make sure that what they’re saying we’re actually translating into our price reset.” For Jemena, the Price Reset is an opportunity to confirm customer product and service expectations and secure revenue to support efficient investment and operations to deliver these expectations. JEN will submit an initial proposal to the AER on 30 January 2025. To find out more about Customer Voice Groups for our electricity distribution price reset, head to https://ow.ly/cbwe30sFuZg

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1 in 4 women in Australia will experience family and domestic violence. Every four days, another woman is murdered. These aren't just statistics – this is a national crisis.   We can all play a role in ending gendered violence. Essential services such as energy, water, telecommunications, and financial services are often the first point of contact for those experiencing domestic violence.   That's why we're proud to be part of the launch of One Generation – a collaborative business initiative with a clear purpose: to provide better, safer support for survivors, foster a culture of respect, and share evidence of what works. Together with Yarra Valley Water Suncorp Group Optus AGL EnergyAustralia and Origin Energy we are founding members of the business alliance initiative of Thriving Communities Australia (TCA) co-founded with social enterprise Flequity Ventures. Find out more 👇

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