Michael Fuge

Great robust discussion at Power + Utilities Australia today. I took quite a few things away from our panel discussion, in particular the importance of national coordination - we have all the resources and capabilities we need to support the #energytransition, but we need to better distribute and coordinate them across states and regions as mentioned by Heidi Lee and Ian Brooksbank. We also need to ensure we look at local and regional solutions and stay agile to adapt to a changing context as per Bruce Mountain’s comments. I highlighted the importance of giving the same or higher priority to distributed #DER and demand-side solutions as we do to large scale supply solutions, and to not use the challenges currently faced to question the transition underway. As per Gates’ law, “most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate what they can achieve in ten years”. IEEFA Asia Pacific #energy #electricity #energyefficiency

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We have some comments in todays AFR about the critical role that gas will continue to play in the energy system and the need to include it in the Capacity Investment Scheme. Our media release from yesterday also talks about the critical role for gas in our manufacturing and heavy industry sectors (go to the media hub at euaa.com.au). I have worked in the energy industry for 37 years with last 25 years spent deeply involved in renewable energy and climate change mitigation. I continue to support the pursuit of net zero, as do members of the EUAA. My concern is that if energy bills continue to escalate (or for many if they don't fall significantly), the lights start going out and manufacturing starts to close then the public will lose enthusiasm for net zero and lose faith in the plan to get us there. We are already seeing this play out with recent consumer research showing that while people still like renewables they are becoming less inclined to support the transition as cost of living, job security and local environmental concerns (amongst other things) take higher priority. In a future energy system where renewable energy makes up 85% of supply, gas will play a small but critical role in maintaining energy security. It wont run for long but when it does it will save the day.

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The causes and conditions for system security issues in the later half of this decade are beginning to emerge; a lack of markets and easy commercial models for the scale of the orchestrated DER required under the ISP, cost escalations in transmission and renewables construction projects beginning to hike, and global demand for transition shifting in multiple countries simultaneously. We do not have enough engineers organised into corporate vehicles aimed at this transition for any of us to have a degree of comfort, and too much cost pressure will mean that head contractors are forced to weight price far too heavily when projects are being scoped and term sheets agreed. Its time. EPC and asset management companies need scaling plans and suitable business and operating models to provide a robust and resilient pathway to delivering the transition quickly, and efficiently. In the power sector, we need to realise we are about to become a nation of builders, not coordinators. Simone Rennie Ian Rakich David Melis Damien Backholer Phillip Vrettakis Guy Ravindra Chris Wade Tim Brunner Elizabeth Renteria

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Congratulations to the SHIRE OF MOORA for hosting the second in its series of community consultations last night about renewable energy developments. With upgrades to the northern Western Power network on the way, and one of the best wind/solar resources globally, the town is poised to be at the centre of WA's energy transition (there's also geothermal and gas resources in the area for good measure). Some of the issues raised by the community (across both sessions) are common themes, but important to get right. Energy Tsar Jai Thomas was on hand to explain it all - good to see Powering WA moving to meaningfully engage as well. 🛜Will transmission lines be installed without consultation (spolier: no)? 🏘️How will we house and attract workers for this industry when the region is already struggling to fill jobs? (need to all work on this one) 💰Who will bear the cost of the electricity? (costs are recouped as they are now, via electricity bills) 🪭How will the system provide power when the wind isn't blowing? (diversity of supply is crucial, including gas) ♻️What guarantees are there to ensure proper decommissioning? (contractual terms with developers and possibly industry rehabilitation funds, or even "re-commissioning" with new turbines) 🫂How can communities have a genuine say in wind and solar farm set backs? (that's the point of these sessions, and concede Councils and Shires need more support re planning) 🌄How can we ensure cultural heritage is protected (through proper planning processes) 🛣️What opportunities are there to upgrade local infrastructure to help cope with the building phase (up to community and government and industry to work this out) 🏈What's in it for the community? (community benefits have to be based on community needs, not just sponsoring the footy club. But also, better power supplies can attact new industry) 🏃‍♀️Are we racing too fast and can we realistically meet 2030 decarbonisation goals? (conceded it is an aggressive deadline) ⚛️Why can't we have nuclear? (it may be something for 20 years time, but lets not distract ourselves given coal supplies in WA are running out. This wave of renewables is not wasted effort) The community also heard (across both sessions) from Zeff Energy (c.f Tilt Renewables ) and Green Wind Renewables (c.f. Aula Energy) who are combined planning more than 3GW of wind in the area. I didn't want to post ANOTHER boring picture of someone presenting some slides, so on the way home (in the neighbouring shire) I took a photo of the European Space Agency's deep space satellite tracking facility (one of three in the world?) quietly doing its thing amid endless plains of wheat (and some citrus). Amazing what diverse industries there are in the region. Thanks to CEO Gavin Robins and Tracy Lefroy GAICD for the opportunity. Satellite tracking stations use power too. #tenouslinks #wem #energy #renewables #transition #electricity #transmission #communityengagement

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Giles Parkinson: The Centre for Independent Studies submitted a rule change to Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) recently requesting that Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) be unbound from the obligations of the NEO when undertaking modelling for the ISP. Presumably, they would prefer to see more coal, gas or nuclear in there? They should note however, that even when climate / emissions weren’t in the NEO under successive Liberal Governments since 2016, the ISP modelled the majority of our generation coming from renewables over the next decade on the economics alone. That is why 83% was chosen as the target - it was the output of modelling, not the input. So if it wasn’t such a waste of precious AEMC time, then I would be inclined to just agree with the CIS’ rule change request as the ISP answer would still be the same. Is it possible that CIS might be funded by incumbents / fossil fuel lobbies that would prefer the status quo rather achieving the full democratisation of energy that renewables offer?

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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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The Power of Listening in Leadership. In leadership, the loudest voice does not always lead the way. Often, it is the ability to truly listen that unlocks growth, innovation and trust. And that was my key takeaway and lesson at this weeks Total Metering Services Pty Ltd Leadership Conference. Creating space, whether in a meeting, a conversation or a challenging moment, allows others to feel heard and valued. When we pause to listen, we foster collaboration, uncover fresh ideas and strengthen relationships. Leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about empowering others to contribute and creating an environment where everyone thrives. How are you creating space in your leadership today?

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Pleased to have contributed my thoughts to EnergyNewsBulletin on the many layers of building a brighter EV future for Australia. As we continue the push towards net-zero by 2050, the role of electric vehicles (EVs) is critical, but achieving widespread adoption requires a multi-faceted approach. The appetite amongst Australians for change is growing, as shown by the rise in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales, but there is still significant work to do. From embracing lessons from global markets to improving EV charging infrastructure in remote areas, the road to broader adoption is clear: patience, perseverance, and collaboration will be key to accelerating Australia’s electrification journey. The energy sector has never been more important, and I look forward to continuing the conversation on how we can shape a sustainable and innovative future.

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What a successful 48hrs at All Energy! Our CEO James D. summarises our experiences, conversations and next steps brilliantly in this video. Have a watch and reach out!

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The power industry is failing us. We could be bringing costs down by utilising existing technologies. Things such as hot water control, and time of use rates that incentivise us to use cheaper and greener power at off-peak times. The issue is that rapid transition to a cheaper and greener energy sector is not the most profitable path for many - or not the priority for others. The solution is competition, and its time that action was prioritised.

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Fascinating analysis Vince Garrone Whilst this may imply efficiency, is hard to fathom due to: a) Network utilization has actually decreased b) Most towns/cities/urban streets have increased the number of premises due to increasing housing density c) there are a lot of new people living in Qld and with the majority of them living in the Energex network. Averaging 2.5% increase per annum (2004 SEQ Population was 2.47M, today it is ~4M) d) appliance efficiency continues to make improvements e) in some areas solar has helped reduce peaks as they aligned with specific customer profiles This will also have considerable impact on the dynamic operating envelopes that Energex will define. So as more customers are connected to the same assets, then two things will occur: 1) the envelope size will continue to decrease (maybe 20% looking at your data); 2) your starting envelop size maybe a lot smaller in Energex than other networks; and 3) the event days and duration of events for the solar backstop, or EV load control will significantly increase. Has anyone looked at changes in peak demand over this time? Does anyone know if there are minimum envelop sizes that are going to be regulated to ensure equity across customers? or What will be acceptable envelope sizes considering the demand and asset capacity installed for a network? Australian Energy Regulator Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) Mick de Brenni

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I’m pleased to share Ausgrid’s full support of the Energy Networks Australia’s latest report ‘The Time is Now’. The report emphasises how networks can drive Australia’s clean energy transition, by tapping into opportunities at the distribution level to deliver significant benefits for consumers. By unlocking the potential of local electricity grids, we can make the energy transition faster and more lower cost. At Ausgrid we’re already on this path. We’re collaborating closely with governments to explore how we can harness more renewable energy within our distribution network. This not only helps reduce the strain on transmission networks but also brings us closer to a cleaner, more efficient energy system. We’ve launched nine community batteries across our network, announcing our new retailer partnership on the weekend at Bondi, which can save eligible customers over $200 annually. We’re also working on making electric vehicle charging more accessible with kerbside chargers to support those without off-street parking. https://lnkd.in/ghs-G-Xn

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This is potentially a terrific opportunity for the electricity grid, and for those taking up the opportunity to switch to an EV (enabling people to lower their energy costs by allowing their EV to act as a battery for the grid).

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“If we hadn’t [moved to PLEXOS Cloud]…we would be in a far worse position right now given the transition and the pace of the Australian energy transition which is underway.” – Jerome Declerck, Group Manager – Enterprise Application Services at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The energy transition is moving at an unprecedented pace. To navigate it successfully and make data-driven decisions organizations need to process more data than ever and run more complex models. 💻 Organizations using legacy systems won’t be able to keep up with the data processing and modeling necessary to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and overall operational excellence moving into the future. Learn how AEMO stayed ahead of the curve, making the switch to PLEXOS Cloud and achieving astounding results – including a 77% decrease in time to delivery for the central scenario of AEMO’s Integrated System Plan and a 93% decrease in time to delivery for the step-change scenario: https://bit.ly/3xcYVhx #EnergyTransition #EnergyModeling #PLEXOSCloud #Cloud

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“If we hadn’t [moved to PLEXOS Cloud]…we would be in a far worse position right now given the transition and the pace of the Australian energy transition which is underway.” – Jerome Declerck, Group Manager – Enterprise Application Services at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The energy transition is moving at an unprecedented pace. To navigate it successfully and make data-driven decisions organizations need to process more data than ever and run more complex models. 💻 Organizations using legacy systems won’t be able to keep up with the data processing and modeling necessary to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and overall operational excellence moving into the future. Learn how AEMO stayed ahead of the curve, making the switch to PLEXOS Cloud and achieving astounding results – including a 77% decrease in time to delivery for the central scenario of AEMO’s Integrated System Plan and a 93% decrease in time to delivery for the step-change scenario: https://bit.ly/4fC1TNP #EnergyTransition #EnergyModeling #PLEXOSCloud #Cloud

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The NZ Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) Chair, Peter McCafferty and CEO, Kevin Hart recently met with the NZ Minister for Energy, Hon Simeon Brown, and had an engaging discussion about the future of the NZ wind energy industry. Peter McCafferty and Kevin Hart updated the Minister on NZWEA’s activities along with the Government’s consenting regulation proposals for renewable energy (i.e. Fast Track Consenting, National Policy Statements for Renewable Energy, Resource Management Act changes, etc.). Wind energy is experiencing an international explosion in demand, which is putting pressures on global supply chains and Aotearoa’s ability to achieve the government’s renewable energy targets. Creating strong partnerships with Oceanna countries and supply organisations both domestically and internationally will help unlock these constraints, but so will the continued focus locally to reduce consent processing durations while also enabling new grid connections to be streamlined.

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After 12 months of fascinating insights into the complexities & challenges of the Energy Industry and the clean energy transition ambition, tomorrow, I will conclude my time at EnergyAustralia before a short break, and the start of something new.....watch this space.

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It's so important, that the #NuclearDebate in Australia looks at all options on the table, does proper comparisons and eventually ensures a level playing field for the race to generate 24/7 carbon-free energy with private funding - like through a reverse auction as proposed in this submission by Chris Baker. #247CFE #SustainableInvestment

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For those interested

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