Working Groups

WHAT ARE SMART ENERGY COUNCIL’S WORKING GROUPS?

The Smart Energy Council’s working groups are 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. Each group’s diverse membership, from a wide array of companies and organisations, provides the most cutting-edge advice guiding the Smart Energy Council’s comprehensive policy design.

SMART ENERGY COUNCIL CURRENTLY FACILITATES FOLLOWING WORKING GROUPS:

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CLIMATE CAPITAL FORUM

Chair – Blair Palese, Ethinvest

The Climate Capital Forum was established to keep Australia in the game as we race to Net Zero, plotting Australian renewable energy investment on a strategic course to decarbonise our economy. Taking an empirical approach to Australia’s renewable energy investment environment, providing advice to departments and leaders – helping Australia to realise its potential as a renewable energy and critical minerals superpower.

Involved Members:

Stephen Pfeiffer
Climate advocate and investor

DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES (DER)

Chair – Wilf Johnston, Enphase Energy

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) like solar PV, batteries, electric vehicles, and demand response are playing a greater and greater role in our energy system. The DER working group generates storage policy advice, V2G standards development, solar-grid integration and more.

Involved Members:

LARGE SCALE RENEWABLES

Chair – Jonathan Upson, Tilt Renewables

The Large Scale Renewables working group successfully saw the adoption of the Capacity Investment Scheme. A policy generated through the work of this group, $10 billion in new dispatchable renewable energy projects has been unlocked. The group also advises on the replacement of the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) and the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin Scheme.

Involved Members:

MANUFACTURERS & AUSTRALIAN MADE

Chair – Rod Scott, Selectronic

The Manufacturers Working Group focuses on promoting Australian smart energy companies that are currently innovating, developing and manufacturing smart energy products in Australia.

Currently developing our policy on local content for the SEC to present to the Government in ongoing advocacy. Providing advice to the Smart Energy Council that feeds into our work as a member of the National Reconstruction Fund advisory committee.

Involved Members:

RENEWABLE HYDROGEN

Chair – Joanna Kay, Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia

The Renewable Hydrogen Working Group is a collaborative initiative committed to advancing Australia’s position as a global leader in the emerging hydrogen economy. Focused on strategic pillars, our group analyses and contributes to key aspects of the hydrogen landscape, including:

Hydrogen Headstart: Examining and promoting early-stage hydrogen projects to ensure Australia’s rapid integration into the global hydrogen market.

National Hydrogen Strategy: Aligning with and providing insights into the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy, working towards sustainable and competitive hydrogen production.

State and Territories Hydrogen Policies: Reviewing, understanding, and influencing state-specific hydrogen policies and regulatory frameworks to foster a cohesive and supportive environment for the industry.

Guarantee of Origin Scheme: Evaluating and advocating for the implementation of a robust Guarantee of Origin Scheme to provide transparency and credibility to the renewable hydrogen supply chain.

Zero Carbon Certification Scheme: Engaging with stakeholders to shape the development and application of a Zero Carbon Certification Scheme, ensuring the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Our working group serves as a dynamic platform for industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and drive actionable outcomes that contribute to Australia’s leadership in renewable hydrogen production.

Together, we navigate the evolving landscape, addressing challenges and seizing opportunities for a sustainable and prosperous hydrogen future.

Involved Members:

SMART TRANSPORT

Chair – Jason Venning, FIMER

The Smart Transport working group acts as a brain trust for our transport advocacy – striving for a transport system that is clean, accessible, equitable, and connected to the energy grid of the future. Working group members receive industry updates, network with other members, hear from subject-matter experts and inform our transport advocacy.

Involved Members:

SOLAR INSTALLERS

Chair – Alistair McGrath-Kerr, Smart Energy Council

The Solar Installers Working Group offers guidance for establishing the Installer Accreditation Scheme, directing training, and providing an installer’s perspective on recycling and industry issues.

Involved Members:

SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING

Chair – Carlos Nunez, Smart Energy Council

The Queensland Solar Recycling Consultation Committee meets regularly during the two-phase solar recycling pilot. The group’s findings and recommendations guide the process of the solar panel recycling scheme and will reflect in the final recommendations provided to the Queensland State Government.

Involved Members:

PACIFIC WORKING GROUP

Chair – Richie Merzian, Smart Energy Council

The Pacific Working Group explores insights and opportunities to advance smart energy across the region. This includes information on government tenders, cooperation on training programs and diplomatic engagement including at the Pacific Island Forum. The remit for the group includes New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

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