John Grimes was appointed Chief Executive in 2008, and has grown the profile and influence of the Smart Energy Council since that time.

John is a bold advocate for the smart energy industry and sits on a number of expert reference committees and boards providing advice to several state governments and the energy sector.

John started his career as an officer in the Air Force and went on to found and grow a number of companies, including a startup company he took to a successful listing on the ASX with a market capitalisation in excess of $30m.

His most recent company was in the environmental sector with operations in Australia, the US and the Middle East.

John has a passion for the solar, storage and the smart energy industry. He is regularly called upon by the media to provide relevant and independent comment in these areas.

Wayne Smith is a political strategist who helps shape and develop the tactics for the Smart Energy Council.

A professional lobbyist and policy advisor, Wayne also plays a wider role in guiding the Smart Energy Council policy and presenting industry submissions.

As manager of Government Relations, Wayne Smith is responsible for policy, advocacy, strategy and campaigning across the organisation.

Wayne has held senior roles in the renewables industry for over a decade, working and consulting for some of Australia’s leading renewable energy companies and industry bodies.

Wayne has been a senior adviser for a number of Federal Shadow Ministers and has previously worked for the Federal and ACT Governments, as well as a number of peak non-government organisations.

Sharon is the Financial Controller and maintains all financial aspects for the Smart Energy Council.

With a diploma in Accounting, Sharon has worked over the last 20 years looking after the finances of various small businesses and has held a series of managerial jobs.

With a strong background in accounting, extensive budgeting, auditing and financial management knowledge.

Having joined the team in July 2014 she began by running our Solar 2015 Exhibition & Conference and continues to contribute to various areas of the council.

Sharon has a passion for all aspects of finance and is recognised for her fantastic organisational skills.

As a solar industry participant for around 20 years, Geoff Bragg brings practical, technical, boots on the ground knowledge of the PV industry, together with high level PV industry representation.

As a trainer Geoff creates and delivers Continuous Professional Development training, enabling solar installers and designers to gain CPD points and remain accredited.

As a member of Standards Australia’s EL-42 renewable technology committee Geoff has have contributed to the development of recent editions of AS/NZS 4777.2 2020, and AS/NZS 5033 2021, covering Inverters connected to grid, and solar PV arrays in Australia.

Geoff also operates a small business, Sunman Solar Pty Ltd, that provides bespoke PV and energy storage systems, both on and off-grid in the Northern Tablelands district of NSW.

Nicola has assembled the Smart Energy Council’s magazine over several years and in that time seen the masthead morph from Solar Progress to Solar and Storage to the present-day Smart Energy. This, she says, reflects the speed of developments in the essential transition towards a low carbon economy.

Reporting on renewable energy might be regarded an unlikely path for someone whose formative years were spent around oil and gas plants in dusty hot deserts and humid tropical jungles and who had a nodding ‘donkey’ pumping oil in the front garden overlooking the South China Sea.

Moving on… after living in seven counties by age 20, Nicola settled on Australia as the land offering the best opportunities and she has enjoyed roles in lobbying, media and communications for various publishers and organisations, and edited or contributed to several industry newsletters and magazines. Nothing more important or fascinating, however, than smart energy in all its forms and working alongside the Council which continues to play a leading role driving industry developments and policies.

For her part, Nicola aspires to a smart home powered 100pc by renewable electricity and is benefitting from a rooftop PV system that has slashed power bills and carbon emissions. Result! Lots to like – and a smart alternative to polluting oil and gas.

Nola joined the Smart Energy Council in 2024. Her role involves developing strategies and content to support the organisation’s mission and members. As a strategic writer, Nola is committed to putting her words to good use and communicating for impact.

Prior to joining the Smart Energy Council, Nola was Content Manager at KPMG Australia, developing content in areas including cyber security, the Federal Budget, decarbonisation, critical infrastructure, and geopolitics.

Nola also worked at the Global infrastructure Hub – the G20’s trusted infrastructure entity with a mandate of advancing sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure. As Content Writer and Editor, Nola’s work involved communicating the impact of the organisation’s initiatives to a global audience of policymakers, NGOs, and infrastructure practitioners.

Nola’s other roles have included Freelance Writer, Corporate Client Manager at AMP, and Export Adviser and Project Manager at Austrade.

In her spare time, Nola enjoys ocean swimming, hiking, skiing, and spending time with her family and cocker spaniel.

After a stint in Business Advisory at RSM, Ivan ventured into the renewables industry in 2021, and hasn’t looked back since. He specialised in renewable energy certificates, but enjoyed making connections and learning the ins and outs of the fast growing renewables sector.

Outside of work, Ivan is unfortunate enough to follow St Kilda Football Club, loves cricket and enjoys fishing and cooking.

Yune joined the Smart Energy Council in April 2024 as a digital marketer, bringing 5 years of experience across B2B SaaS and B2C industries. He delights in building brand growth, and recognises the rising momentum in the Australian energy sector. Yune sees the exciting opportunity to connect Australian businesses/innovators with our blossoming journey towards a more sustainable future.

Yune is passionate about using marketing to solve business challenges and enjoys wearing different hats to effectively troubleshoot. His toolkit encompasses both digital and traditional channels, spanning organic and paid socials, native advertising, Google advertising, email marketing, radio spots, television commercials, digital out-of-home campaigns, and adept social media community management.

Outside the office, you’ll likely find Yune with a book in one hand and a dirty matcha in the other. If you do strike up a conversation with him, you’ll find yourself chatting about food, fitness, and new life experiments!

Yuan Fang is assisting Chinese companies to enter the Australian smart energy market successfully, then continue to grow market share.

Yuan brings with her several years of marketing experience in the solar and energy storage industry.

This makes her well placed to advise Chinese companies. She also has access to key reports and local industry intelligence she can share.

Yuan has a passion for the smart energy industry.

She is a dynamic and results-driven professional with a highly successful background in marketing, management, and new business development.

She remains focussed on exceeding customer service expectations, ensuring optimum brand impact.

Marcela has been working at the company since December 2023 as an administrative assistant.

With a degree in Sociology and a master’s in Climate Change and Environmental Management, she has successfully bridged her two passions: studying society and protecting the environment.

Marcela has dedicated her efforts to the field of environmental conflicts in Argentina, where she has further cultivated her passion for environmental conservation.

She strongly believes in the transition to a more sustainable and responsible society, particularly through the use of renewable energy, underscoring her deep commitment to the cause.

Zoe Grimes came to the Smart Energy Council in June 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Event and Tourism management from the University of Canberra. Zoe is a rising event management star with ambition, expertise, and passion.

Zoe possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment across the large-scale commercial retail and hotel event sectors. In her previous roles, she has honed her problem-solving, customer service and communication skills.

Zoe’s commitment to excellence extends to creating safe and diverse events and spaces.

Jess joins the Smart Energy Council with a wealth of experience in customer relationship management and a strong background in the health and wellness sector. With an MBA and qualifications in Entrepreneurship, she enjoys putting into practice her knowledge and skills and finding pathways for growth. Passionate about fostering sustainable practices and promoting environmental stewardship, Jess is dedicated to contributing to the advancement of smart energy solutions in Australia.

In her down time, Jess also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, watching sci-fi movies, and telling lame ‘Dad’ jokes to annoy her children.

Scott is an author, researcher, policy advisor and an adjunct professor at Monash University. He is a highly experienced senior executive with over 30 years’ experience in climate change, energy, water, waste and natural resource management.

He is senior advisor to the Smart Energy Council for renewable hydrogen, renewable ammonia and renewable metals. He has led the development and implementation of the Zero Carbon Certification Scheme. As Executive Director Renewable Energy for the Victorian Government, he led the delivery of renewable energy policy across Victoria.

Scott has been a member of the Energy Transition Hub – Strategic Advisory Panel at the University of Melbourne and works as a consultant to governments, businesses and community organisations. He was instrumental in the development of the NSW Electricity Strategy and Renewable Energy Zones in NSW.

Scott is a non-executive Director of the not-for-profit company Hi Neighbour helping workers transition in the Illawarra region.

Leigh Heaney is a public affairs and government relations specialist who
provides the SEC with extensive experience in Government and the political
process.

Leigh delivers advice on evolving issues and trends at a national level,
bringing a strong understanding of government and parliamentary processes
and procedures, as well as a strong policy background and skills in
negotiation and communication.

Leigh joined the Smart Energy Council from Transport for New South Wales
where he managed a large program of road asset transfer projects. Prior to
that he spent more than a decade working as chief of staff to the Hon. Matt
Thistlethwaite in both the House of Representatives and the Senate working
in Government in the portfolios of Pacific Island Affairs, Multicultural
Affairs, Infrastructure and Transport and in opposition in the portfolios of
Treasury, Financial Services, the Republic, Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Previously he had also held Industrial and Executive positions at the RTBU
and the AWU.

Darren Johannesen, is a senior product stewardship executive who brings a wealth of expertise to the SEC in the Circular Economy He has a background as an entrepreneur, with direct experience in Solar Cell and Module  Manufacturing, and Consumer Energy (Small Scale Solar) Retail.

Backed by postgraduate studies in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Strategic Foresight, Darren brings a down-to-earth perspective to environmental challenges, aiming for solutions that make sense for both businesses and the planet.

Wilf Johnston is the Smart Energy Council’s General Manager for Western Australia, joining the team in early 2024. In this role, Wilf is responsible for supporting our members in the region and advocating for smart energy policies in WA.

An industry veteran, Wilf was formerly the Australian CEO of Enphase (one of the world’s leading inverter manufacturers) and the Chair of the Smart Energy Council’s Consumer Energy Working Group.

Wilf has a stellar track record and a wealth of knowledge and experience that will play a critical role we embark on a journey to transform Western Australia’s renewable energy landscape

Joanna Kay is the General Manager of the Smart Energy Council and leads Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, to promote and develop renewable hydrogen as a sustainable fuel source. Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia is a peak industry body for the renewable hydrogen industry and promotes the development and adoption of renewable hydrogen and its derivatives in Australia and for Australian businesses internationally. Joanna spearheads the work of the Zero Carbon Hydrogen Scheme, an industry-led scheme that promotes the uptake and distribution of renewable hydrogen products and their derivatives in Australia and overseas.

Joanna’s experience spans both private and public sectors, in Australia, China and India- including as the Australian Government Specialist Advisor to the International Solar Alliance. Most recently Joanna has been appointed to the University of Adelaide’s Institute of Sustainability, Energy and Resources as a board member.

Alistair McGrath-Kerr joined the smart energy council in August 2021 as Sales Manager. With a long held passion to support Australia’s transition to renewable energy, he is moving into this role excited about the possibilities to drive industry change.

Alistair’s first experience with renewable energy was a toy solar powered car at age 7, and the switch was flicked – that excitement has driven him ever since. It led him to a Masters Degree in Engineering Management with a thesis in residential battery storage and a Design and Install Off Grid CEC Accreditation, as well as certificates in Passive House Building design.

Before the Smart Energy Council, Alistair has worked for a variety of small to medium sized solar companies, energy efficient and passive house building consultants.

An optimistic people-person, Alistair is ready to share his excitement for all things smart, efficient and digital with you. Be careful – if you ask, Alistair will chat with you about family-friendly electric bikes, his permaculture garden or perfecting sourdough baking.

Carlos joined the Smart Energy Council full time as a Senior Project Officer in January 2023. Carlos holds a Bachelor of Science with a Major in International Business and a Minor in Computer Science from Endicott College in Massachusetts, USA and more recently a Master’s in International Business from the University of Canberra.

His previous experience includes work for government, education, not-for-profit and private sectors in multinational and small-medium companies. Carlos is an effective communicator, team player, experience in managing staff, delegation of work and tasks and prioritization of competing deadlines.
Carlos speaks Spanish and English fluently and Portuguese at a superior level.

Elvira Pan joined the Smart Energy Council in October 2022.

Her passion for digital value and sustainability has driven her to utilise a growth mindset and marketing experience to promote the visibility and awareness of sustainable development and smart energy solutions.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, International Business and Trade, and a master’s degree in Marketing and Organisational Sustainability. She brings a sense of business operations and strength in the marketing area combined with her work and life experience in America, Australia, and China.

As a continuous learner with high consistency, responsibility, and problem-solving, whether she’s providing administrative support or executing a project, she can be counted on to deliver. She takes pride in being an honest, genuine, reliable, and compassionate individual, and receiving positive accolades from people with whom she has associated.

Connor has been working at the Smart Energy Council since January 2024 as a policy officer, after previously working as a management consultant for federal, state and territory departments.

Connor completed a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Economics and Business Law at UWA and is currently undertaking a Diploma in Project Management at CIT.

Combining his studies with experience in the agile and fast-paced world of consulting, Connor supports the Smart Energy Council’s Advocacy team by providing assistance across a broad array of matters in a surge capacity.

He is passionate about assisting industry to ensure an effective and efficient transition to clean energy solutions in Australia and globally whilst ensuring sustainable biodiversity of the environment.

Emily Rozanc is a Programme and Policy Officer at Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia, a division of the Smart Energy Council. She is also completing her Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours) at The University of Sydney, with graduation expected at the end of 2024.

Her career journey has been marked by a diverse range of experiences, from engineering and operations roles, to marketing and customer experience positions. She brings to the table her technical skills and innovation, alongside her strong passion for youth in STEM, spanning over half a decade with her involvement with the One Giant Leap Australia Foundation and the Harry Messel International Science School.

Emily is committed to fostering a stronger, greener future for Australia and internationally, advocating for sustainable policies and supporting renewable energy initiatives through her role in the Zero Carbon Hydrogen Australia  and Smart Energy Council team.

Cristina started working with the Smart Energy Council in August 2020 on a casual basis, but since the start of 2021 she has officially joined the team as an admin assistant for the Smart Energy Council and the ACT Renewables Hub.

She holds a Master of Human Nutrition and Food Quality, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management.

From her previous roles in clinical health and education, Cristina has developed strong customer service, communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Cristina’s personal interests in creating a more sustainable world have led her to a career change and the renewable energy industry is undoubtedly, a great opportunity to continue learning and growing.

Stephen began working as an IT Officer with the Smart Energy Council in December 2023. Stephen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a Minor in Marketing Communications from Torrens University, in Brisbane, Australia. He also holds a Diploma of Financial Planning.

He is a self taught programmer and web-developer with a keen interest in technology and has completed numerous short courses online in programming, app development and cyber security. He has spent over a decade training in a variety of technologies and providing technical support in a variety of environments.

Stephen has a broad range of experience in the private sector in small business. He previously spent six years working for a major Australian airline and two years working in the public sector in Council. His experience includes work in environmental tourism, sales, customer and client service, and disability support.

Catherine Van Der Merwe joined the Smart Energy Council in January 2024 as Sales Co-ordinator. As a continuation of her passion for positive change in the Australian energy sector she is driven to connect business innovators to the growing renewable energy community trade and industry.

Catherine’s education in political relations and experience in the international trade industry from both the public and private sectors has resulted in a drive to support the renewable energy industry in its next exciting phase within Australia. She will use this role to support this next phase with a passion for business-to-business connection and helping the innovators in the industry to further their work.

Connor began working in Smart Energy in 2019, and now works as Policy Adviser at the Smart Energy Council. Previously Connor worked at Stride Renewables.

At the Smart Energy Council, Connor runs the Distributed Energy Resources Working Group, and the Large-Scale Renewables Working Group. These groups are made up of the full spectrum of Smart Energy Companies in Australia, from Suncable to smart energy management companies.

Connor also regularly represents the Smart Energy Council in Parliamentary Senate hearings regarding the energy transition, speaks and chairs on electrification policy, and
previously co-authored the ‘Unleashing Renewable Energy Storage Report’, subsequently adapted as the Federal Capacity Investment Scheme – $10bn Investment
in Renewable Energy Storage.

This year Connor is examining the role of policy in supporting small-scale energy storage across the country, and better integrating DER into the energy grid.

Work at Stride Renewables included working on the development of Blind Creek Solar Farm. The project includes 300MW of Solar and 600 MWh of battery storage, the project having now won ‘Community Engagement Award’ of the year. His work extended into advising on renewable energy connections in the newly declared Renewable Energy Zones and research in the emerging markets in DER.

Connor studied Sustainable Development and Law at ANU and wrote his research Honours in 2021 on the need for a bespoke Federal approach to developing the necessary
transmission for the energy transition.