Energy Unpacked

On this episode of Energy Unpacked, we are thrilled to welcome Slava Kozlovskii, the CEO of evee to discuss the all electric car rental and sharing platform.Tune in to learn how the platform works and compares to other car-sharing and rental options, including:🌟 Unique platform features👥 Typical customer segments and trip lengths🏠 Superior value proposition to hosts, and the🌍 Benefits to our environment Check out evee here https://www.evee.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoolxoCcn0Jaf6bHohz-cM7cpE9ytZywNtq1DreAOC3ITYPA4_7X

This week, Tom Gay from Origin Energy joins our podcast to provide a comprehensive overview of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). In this episode we go back to basics, covering what a VPP is, and how it can support different players in the energy transition. If you're curious about how to get additional value from your battery, heat pump, or EV charger, or simply want to understand some of the VPP products available in the market, this episode is for you. We’re not as quick as we would like! Please note that this episode was recorded in August 2024, and specific product offers and details mentioned in this episode should be verified. You can learn more about Origin Energy’s VPP offerings here https://www.originenergy.com.au/solar/panels-batteries/virtual-power-plant/

We’re starting Season 2 with a bang, interviewing the always engaging Dennis Freedman- Managing Director ANZ at Aquila Clean Energy and Board Member for the Clean Energy Council. We love how Dennis simplifies complexity and connects the dots between industry, investors, the market, and regulation. In this episode, we explore: Key elements of successful grid-scale renewable energy projects Different types of players and commercial structures  Factors influencing investment in renewables in Australia Evolving regulations and their impact on the sector, and  The significance of social license  Join us for a fun and insightful discussion as we unpack these critical themes 🌱🔋 You can learn more about Aquila Clean Energy here https://www.aquila-clean-energy-apac.com, and connect with the Clean Energy Council at https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/.

We're back with Season 2 of Energy Unpacked! This podcast is all about breaking down topics related to the Australian Energy Transition, a transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent and centralised energy system to a decentralised renewable-based one.  In Season 2, your co-hosts Bronte Wilson and Adam White, we will be interviewing industry experts on a range of topics including Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), EV charging and EV sharing , next-generation solar & long-duration storage, grid-scale project development and much more. If you’re passionate about climate change or the energy industry or just want to learn more about the Energy Transition please plug in.

This week we speak to social scientist Dr Hedda Ransan-Cooper about her insights on community batteries and DER as it relates to residential customers. Hedda leads the social science program within the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program (BSGIP) at ANU.We explore what differentiates a community battery from other battery projects, and community expectations around the problems these batteries should solve/ services they should provide. Hedda also highlights some of the issues and risks associated with an energy system relying on customer owned DER. Learn more about Hedda’s research here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359314754_Neighbourhood_batteries_in_Australia_Anticipating_questions_of_value_conflict_and_injustice, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372597082_Community_perspectives_on_microgrids_and_resilience_in_the_Eurobodalla_Australia and connect here https://au.linkedin.com/in/hedda-ransan-cooper-ba334a12

It seems fitting to round out one of our last episodes of this season with a call for more people to join the energy industry as we embark on a once in a lifetime transition. There is no shortage of work required to decarbonise our electricity grid, but there are shortages in the people and skills required to do that work. In this conversation we provide an overview of this looming problem, the drivers, and potential solutions. Sources used in the creation of the episode include: 2021 Infrastructure Market Capacity Reporthttps://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/publications/2021-infrastructure-market-capacity-report https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics 2022 Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Surveyhttps://alga.com.au/app/uploads/LG-Workforce-Skills-and-Capability-Survey-National-Report.pdf E3 Fast track The Australian Electricity Workforce for the 2022 Integrated System Plan: Projections to 2050.Revision 1.https://aemo.com.au/-/media/files/major-publications/isp/2022/supporting-materials/the-australian-electricity-workforce-for-the-2022-isp.pdf

On the podcast today, we interview Matthew Charles-Jones on the topic of community energy. Matt is a founding member of the community energy group Totally Renewable Yackandandah, which is helping power a small Victorian town with 100% renewable energy. In this episode we unpack how Yackandandah came to be a national leader in the adoption of rooftop solar, and what the takeaways are for other parts of Australia. You can learn more about Totally Renewable Yackandandah and their initiatives here; https://totallyrenewableyack.org.au/.

Energy is at the center of decarbonising the economy, and we need all hands on deck to do it, so why not start here?  Your co-hosts Bronte Wilson and Adam White will provide jargon-reduced insights into the Australian Energy Transition, a transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent and centralised energy system to a decentralised renewable-based one.  You can expect short explainer episodes on some of the key challenges and opportunities, as well as longer Q&A episodes with industry experts. Topics for Season 1 range from the future of solar panel recycling to the state of our clean energy innovation ecosystem, and the role of community batteries in our future grid.  If you’re passionate about climate change or the energy industry or just want to learn more about the Energy Transition please plug in. 

As an industry, we often talk about innovation and think of all the technology involved in our sector, but today we talk about another area where innovation is just as important to ensure the energy transition succeeds, the lights stay on and the beer stays cold- Business Models and Services. To unpack this seemingly dry topic, we have Joshua Harvey at Photon Energy. Learn more about Phonton Energy’s end-to-end service offerings here https://photonenergy.com.au/ 

This week, it’s just us—Adam and Bronte—on the mic, reflecting on the common threads, key insights and ideas that have stuck with us from the Innovation Miniseries. If you haven’t caught all the miniseries episodes yet, this is a great place to start—a snapshot of the themes and conversations with brilliant innovators from Plico, Kapture, 5B, and Project Ohm.

In this episode, we sit down again with Brian Innes - this time with his Accenture hat on- to unpack how AI is actually being used in the energy transition—and where it may be overhyped.We explore how machine learning is helping forecast supply and demand, optimise generation, and unlock flexibility in industrial processes to better match renewable energy. Rather than replacing humans, AI is emerging as a decision-support tool—augmenting operators and enabling participation in increasingly complex, fast-moving energy markets.We also touch on the broader system impacts, from improving grid efficiency to the growing importance of data, as well as key challenges like model drift, oversight, and the rising energy demand of data centres.

In this episode of Energy Unpacked we talk with Nicole, Chief Strategy Officer from 5B about the innovative Maverick solar technology, including its advantages in deployment speed and land use efficiency. We also discuss the company's global expansion strategy and learnings, risk management in large projects, and the importance of customer feedback in product development. A particularly great episode for innovators in the clean technology space.

This week we’re joined by Brian Innes, founder of Plico, an innovator in the VPP space. Brian shares his journey into the energy industry and explains Plico’s unique membership model, designed to address key challenges of owning and operating DER in Australia.We explore the importance of customer education and engagement, flexible ownership structures, and the critical role of asset management and ongoing support in successful VPPs. The conversation also looks ahead to future trends, including the growing integration of electric vehicles into the energy ecosystem.

In this episode of Energy Unpacked, we sit down with Raj Bagri, founder and CEO of Kapture, an Australian climate tech startup developing compact, modular carbon capture systems that retrofit directly onto diesel generators.Raj shares her unconventional journey from hospitality to climate tech and how a non-engineering background became an advantage in building a commercially viable carbon capture business. She explains how Kapture’s technology captures up to 95% of CO₂ emissions at the point of source and converts them into a valuable low-carbon byproduct that can be used in other products such as concrete and fertiliser.

AI is driving a surge in energy demand—but what if it could also help solve some of the grid’s biggest challenges? In this episode, we chat with Matthew Meszaros, CEO of Project Ohm, about how AI infrastructure can support the energy transition—not just consume power. We unpack how flexible, distributed GPU nodes can act as a new class of “digital DER,” shifting compute demand to align with renewable generation, reduce energy costs, and improve grid stability. From why demand-side flexibility matters in a renewable-heavy grid, to which AI workloads can be scheduled versus those that can’t, Matthew shares how Project Ohm’s model challenges traditional data centres and points toward a global, “follow-the-sun” future for clean, low-cost compute.

We’re back!After a year away, Adam White and Bronte Wilson return with Season 3 of Energy Unpacked — and this time, we’re going deeper.This season features two focused mini-series:1. 🔬 InnovationExploring how the energy transition demands more than just deploying existing tech. We unpack innovation across:Hard-to-abate sectorsCarbon capture Community VPP models AI and data centers2.⚡ Grid-Scale ProjectsA deep dive into large-scale solar, wind, batteries, and transmission. We ask:Are we building fast enough?What’s holding projects back?How do developers de-risk billion-dollar infrastructure?Plus, we share a few personal updates and introduce the new team member helping bring Season 3 to life.Honest conversations. Real challenges. Practical insights.This podcast is all about breaking down topics related to the Australian Energy Transition, a transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent and centralised energy system to a decentralised renewable-based one. If you’re passionate about climate change or the energy industry or just want to learn more about the Energy Transition please plug in.

Are distribution networks more than just poles and wires? Could they be the platforms that enable a smarter, more flexible energy future? And if so—what do we need to unlock their full potential?In our final episode of Season 2, we sit down with Andy Dunne from Ausgrid, who is leading Project Edith, a pioneering initiative focused on enabling flexible resources through innovative network pricing.We discuss:⚡ How Project Edith is helping to refine how flexible assets interact with distribution networks🔗 The potential of dynamic local pricing 🚀 Key learnings and challenges from the project so far🔮 What’s could be next for network innovation in AustraliaYou can find out more about Project Edith here https://www.ausgrid.com.au/About-Us/Future-Grid/Project-EdithIf you’ve been following along this season, thank you! We’ve loved unpacking the big questions around the energy transition, decentralisation, and the future of the grid—and we’ll be back soon.

This week on Energy Unpacked, we're joined by Business Development Manager Sinead Steele from Energy Locals to discuss innovative energy solutions for high-rise developments. 🌇Episode Highlights:🤝 Partnering early for cost-effective solutions and future-proofed sites🌟 Creating value for all customers🚗 Demand for EV charging and electrification⚡ The impact of changing regulation on embedded network designMany high-rise building residents miss out on the benefits of solar and other low-carbon solutions. It’s exciting to see new developments integrating this infrastructure, making it easier for tenants to benefit. You can learn more about Energy Local’s projects here https://energylocals.com.au/projects/

In this episode we are joined by industry guru Andy McCarthy, who has recently published his first book "Here Comes the Sun." We delve into crucial energy transition themes, including the development of our future workforce, building trust in communities, and the importance of behind-the-meter assets in our energy system.Connect with Andy McCarthy: Learn more about Andy and his book "Here Comes the Sun" at andymccarthy.com.au.

We were blown away by our conversation with Kira Rundel from RayGen this week, an Australian technology company that has developed a cutting-edge solar thermal and long-duration storage solution. Kira, who heads up Strategic Projects, shared insights on: 🔧 How the technology works and compares to more mainstream solutions 🔄 The evolution of the company and key pivots 💡  Current use cases and future co-location opportunities 👷 Insights from existing projects It’s hard not to get excited hearing about clever solutions to critical energy transition challenges. You can learn more about RayGen here https://raygen.com/