The energy sector leaders of today will join the trailblazers of tomorrow for an Australian-first initiative to supercharge the energy transformation: the inaugural RACE for 2030 Consumer Grid Summit on Wednesday 24 - Thursday 25 in Sydney.
With the final guestlist now confirmed, the Consumer Grid Summit promises to bring together an intentionally diverse group of 40 delegates spanning government, regulatory bodies, networks, retailers, tech, research and consumer advocacy.
This includes the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC), Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Australian Energy Regulator (AER), ARENA, EEC, Ausgrid, Essential Energy, Endeavour Energy, Western Power, AGL, Tesla, Energy Consumers Australia, CSIRO, UNSW Energy Institute, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures and many more.
The Summit will go beyond the usual speeches and forums to put these delegates to work. Through collaborative systems thinking and foresighting activities, they will establish shared visions and practical steps towards a future grid that benefits all consumers.
RACE for 2030 CEO Dr Bill Lilley said the Summit will break down traditional barriers at a crucial moment for the sector.
"More than 100 current and emerging leaders told us that the siloed nature of the energy sector remains one of the biggest barriers to accelerating the energy transformation equitably."
"At the same time, there is a feeling that we are entering a window of opportunity, where the pressures, technologies and expectations are starting to align."
"The Summit will bring together the people and perspectives needed to act on that opportunity. The difference here is that we'll go beyond talking about the future in abstract terms, by creating the space to work through what it takes to deliver it," Dr Lilley said.
The Summit will be facilitated by broadcaster Craig Reucassel, with sessions led by UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures Prof Chris Riedy, Catalyst Energy Principal and Lead Systems Architect Mark Paterson, and RACE for 2030 CEO Dr Bill Lilley.
Insights from the two-day process will be synthesised into a final report providing a practical reference point for the next phase of the transition.
Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission Tim Jordan, said the Summit provides a rare opportunity to take a more integrated view.
"The challenges we're facing are interconnected, and exploring those interactions with people from across the sector helps us make the right decisions," Commissioner Jordan said.
Lotte Wolf, Executive Manager, Energy Policy at Energy Consumers Australia, said sector alignment is critical to ensuring fair outcomes for consumers.
"Consumers already play a central role in the energy transition, but many face real barriers to participate.
"Bringing together different parts of the sector to focus on affordability and better system design is critical to making sure everyone benefits. The moment is now for the community to work together the supercharge the electrification of homes and small businesses," Wolff said.
Ralph Griffiths, GM Policy and Regulation at AGL, said the energy transition is fundamentally changing how customers engage with the system.
"The opportunity now is to make that transition simpler, more affordable and more valuable for consumers, and that requires coordination across the whole sector," Mr Griffiths said.
Dani Alexander, CEO of UNSW Energy Institute and Interim CEO of NSW Decarbonisation Hub said aligning efforts across the system will be key to progress.
"A lot of the pieces for transformation already exist, but they're not always aligned," Ms Alexander said.
"Creating space to work through how those elements come together in practice is essential to accelerating progress."
Prof Yolande Strengers, Research Director at Monash Energy Institute, said the process will reflect the changing role of consumers in the system.
"How households engage with energy is changing rapidly. Understanding those shifts alongside technology and market developments is essential to shaping the future system."
A full list of organisations attending the summit can be viewed here: https://www.racefor2030.com.au/content/uploads/CGS-Summit-Attending-Organisations.pdf
About us:
About RACE for 2030:
Reliable, Affordable, Clean Energy (RACE) for 2030 is an industry-led cooperative research program established to drive energy innovation across the supply chain to deliver improved, lower cost and lower emission energy services for energy customers.
RACE for 2030 brings collaborative innovation across the energy value chain, from energy users to suppliers of energy, technology providers and start-up companies, governments, and Australia's leading energy researchers.
