Pre-certified Frontier Energy’s Bristol Springs renewable hydrogen project. Oversaw the demise of the Energy Security Board (ESB) and #CoalKeeper. Founded the Climate Capital Forum, lobbying government and responsible investors to catalyse investment in decarbonisation projects. Made an extensive submission to the Fuel Efficiency Standards, after the release of the Electric Vehicle Strategy, and backed it up with a strong media campaign. Opposed the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) becoming mandatory in Victoria and Tasmania. Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen announces Capacity Investment Scheme auctions at Smart Energy Conference 2023, a scheme developed including work from the Smart Energy Council.

The Smart Energy Council welcomes a partnership with Rewiring Australia, advancing a shared plan of electrifying everything. Boldly advocated for a Government that believes in climate science, our support saw an unprecedented Oversaw the Albanese Government’s new emissions target, a 43 per cent cut to emissions by 2030. Federal, State and Territory Energy Ministers endorsed a new national Renewable Energy Storage Target scheme – based on extensive work by the Smart Energy Council. Launched a counter-campaign declaring war on the gas sector’s price-gouging, opposition of price caps and exorbitant profits following Russian energy sanctions. Buried #CoalKeeper and saw the Capacity Investment Mechanism brought to life. The Federal Government committed to a National Electric Vehicle Strategy and Fuel Efficiency Standards discussion paper at the Smart Energy Council’s EV Summit. Smart Energy Council CEO John Grimes addressed the Federal Jobs and Skills Summit, collaborating on the Powering Australia Skills Plan. Awarded grant funding to develop a Gender Action Plan, ensuring the Smart Energy Workforce is accessible for women. Established five key industry working groups: Australian Smart Energy Innovation and Manufacturing, Large-scale Renewables, Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy Storage, Smart Transport. Established the Positive Quality program, setting high standards for excellence in solar manufacturing. Stopped Federal Government’s attempt to abolish the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Hosted the record-breaking Smart Energy Conference, navigating COVID restrictions and providing contemporary health advice for the smart energy sector. Fended off the Federal Government’s #CoalKeeper plans that would see Aussies families taxed to prop up aging coal generators. Intervened to avoid a nationwide solar shutdown, saving tens of thousands of jobs, by extending regulation compliance dates for inverters. Launched our Federal Election campaign, featuring viral “Bin him” and “Chuck them out” sticker crusades – a successful outcome at the polls. Partnership launch with the German Energy Agency (DENA) to establish a certification for renewable hydrogen. Hosted Federal Labor leaders in Cairns for the announcement of the New Energy Apprenticeships scheme. Began works to establish the ACT Renewable Hydrogen Cluster. Hosted the massive Global Race to Zero Summit ahead of COP26, featuring thought-leaders, High Commissioners, Ambassadors and a former Prime Minister. Contribution to amendments made to solar battery standard. Contribution to fixing Victorian Government constrained solar battery rebates. Getting Victorian solar workers safely back to work after lockdown. Launch of world leading Zero Carbon Certification Scheme. Stopped NSW State Government attempt to tear up solar feed in tariff contracts. Stopped Federal Government attempt to abolish the Renewable Energy Target. Established and continued management of the ACT Renewables Hub in partnership with the territory government. Contribution to fixing Victorian Government Solar Homes Program.

Advocacy - Smart Energy Council

We advocate for our members and for smarter energy policy

How we're driving change:

2024

2023

Pre-certified Frontier Energy’s Bristol Springs renewable hydrogen project.
Oversaw the demise of the Energy Security Board (ESB) and #CoalKeeper.
Founded the Climate Capital Forum, lobbying government and responsible investors to catalyse investment in decarbonisation projects.
Made an extensive submission to the Fuel Efficiency Standards, after the release of the Electric Vehicle Strategy, and backed it up with a strong media campaign.
Opposed the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) becoming mandatory in Victoria and Tasmania.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen announces Capacity Investment Scheme auctions at Smart Energy Conference 2023, a scheme developed including work from the Smart Energy Council.

Earlier

The Smart Energy Council welcomes a partnership with Rewiring Australia, advancing a shared plan of electrifying everything.
Boldly advocated for a Government that believes in climate science, our support saw an unprecedented
Oversaw the Albanese Government’s new emissions target, a 43 per cent cut to emissions by 2030.
Federal, State and Territory Energy Ministers endorsed a new national Renewable Energy Storage Target scheme – based on extensive work by the Smart Energy Council.
Launched a counter-campaign declaring war on the gas sector’s price-gouging, opposition of price caps and exorbitant profits following Russian energy sanctions.
Buried #CoalKeeper and saw the Capacity Investment Mechanism brought to life.
The Federal Government committed to a National Electric Vehicle Strategy and Fuel Efficiency Standards discussion paper at the Smart Energy Council’s EV Summit.
Smart Energy Council CEO John Grimes addressed the Federal Jobs and Skills Summit, collaborating on the Powering Australia Skills Plan.
Awarded grant funding to develop a Gender Action Plan, ensuring the Smart Energy Workforce is accessible for women.
Established five key industry working groups: Australian Smart Energy Innovation and Manufacturing, Large-scale Renewables, Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Energy Storage, Smart Transport.
Established the Positive Quality program, setting high standards for excellence in solar manufacturing.
Stopped Federal Government’s attempt to abolish the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Hosted the record-breaking Smart Energy Conference, navigating COVID restrictions and providing contemporary health advice for the smart energy sector.
Fended off the Federal Government’s #CoalKeeper plans that would see Aussies families taxed to prop up aging coal generators.
Intervened to avoid a nationwide solar shutdown, saving tens of thousands of jobs, by extending regulation compliance dates for inverters.
Launched our Federal Election campaign, featuring viral “Bin him” and “Chuck them out” sticker crusades – a successful outcome at the polls.
Partnership launch with the German Energy Agency (DENA) to establish a certification for renewable hydrogen.
Hosted Federal Labor leaders in Cairns for the announcement of the New Energy Apprenticeships scheme.
Began works to establish the ACT Renewable Hydrogen Cluster.
Hosted the massive Global Race to Zero Summit ahead of COP26, featuring thought-leaders, High Commissioners, Ambassadors and a former Prime Minister.
Contribution to amendments made to solar battery standard.
Contribution to fixing Victorian Government constrained solar battery rebates.
Getting Victorian solar workers safely back to work after lockdown.
Launch of world leading Zero Carbon Certification Scheme.
Stopped NSW State Government attempt to tear up solar feed in tariff contracts.
Stopped Federal Government attempt to abolish the Renewable Energy Target.
Established and continued management of the ACT Renewables Hub in partnership with the territory government.
Contribution to fixing Victorian Government Solar Homes Program.

Smart Energy Council Working Groups

Chaired by leading member companies, policy and industry experts, each working group meets regularly to discuss barriers and opportunities in the smart energy sector and adjacent industries, informing Smart Energy Council policy submissions and advocacy priorities. Working groups will make ad-hoc delegations to State and Federal Parliaments, as well as overseas, in order to represent industry at the highest levels.

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