Program theme
The EN26 event theme ‘Powered by Connection’ highlights collaboration across the energy sector to drive Australia’s energy transition and provides a framework for the EN26 program sessions and content.
Key dates
- Program theme announced: Mid-May 2025
- Industry topics confirmed: Mid-May 2025
- Call for abstracts opens: 20 May 2025
- Abstract submissions close: 11 August 2025
- Full program released: November 2025
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17:30 – 19:30 |
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19:30 – Late |
Chairmans Dinner (Invitation only) |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
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08:00 |
Arrival Tea and Coffee
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Exhibition Hall Opens EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
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08:50 – 09:10 |
Opening Ceremony Welcome to Country Opening Address: Matt Kean Hon Chris Bowen MP | Minister for Climate Change and Energy |
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09:10 – 10:30 |
Plenary Session 1 THEME 1 Gridlock or greatness: Meeting the data-driven energy surge Supported by ElectraNet 
Gridlock or greatness Robin Khuda | AirTrunk Panel Discussion | Theme 1 Moderator: Panel: Robin Khuda | AirTrunk Rik Ions-Mclean | Microsoft ANZ Amantha Imber | Inventium |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
INSIGHTS HUB (Exhibition Hall) |
POWER TALKS STAGE (Exhibition Hall) |
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1030 – 11:00 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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Session 1
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Session 1
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls A) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls B) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls E1, E2) |
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11:00 – 12:00 |
THEME 1 Gridlock or greatness: Meeting the data-driven energy surge |
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Concurrent Session 1A
The Digital Load Surge: What Networks Need to Know Moderator: Oliver Nunn | Endgame Analytics |
Concurrent Session 1B
When AI Meets the Grid: Visibility, Control and Futureproofing |
Concurrent Session 1C
The Heart Of Digital Networks: People Moderator: Mark Sprawson | EA Technology |
Concurrent Session 1D
Strengthening the Future Grid: Security, Flexibility and Coordination |
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View presentations
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Powering the digitial future: balancing data centre growth with australia’s energy opportunities and challenges
Rebecca Vallance | Baringa |
The Next Frontier: Scalable, Reliable, Future-Proof Low Voltage Grid Management
Jacqui Mills | Schneider Electric |
AI Adoption is a whole of business proposition, not purely a technology solution
Peter Outridge | KPMG |
NEPKI – Securing our renewable future and why we are in this together
Blake Ashton | SAPN |
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When data centres aren’t delulu, networks need a solulu
Elaine Luc | Houstonkemp Economists |
AI solutions to infer the presence and usage of behind-the-meter electrical devices
Daniel Guppy | Blunomy |
Five human-centred ways to get more value from AI
Amantha Imber | Inventium |
Integrating Batteries into the Grid: Unlocking Reliability, Flexibility, and Net Zero
Craig Stallan | Lumea |
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Impact of data centres on the grid
Fatima Bazzi | Ausgrid |
Role of artifical intelligence in Energy networks – critical use cases
Deepak Sambhi | KPMG |
Role of the human in an AI/digitised energy system
Jon Saltmarsh | Energy Systems Catapult
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Why we need a distributed hive mind of meters to monitor the future grid and coordinate solutinos with customers’appliances in real time
Justin Betlehem | Ausnet |
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Proactive Management of Energy Networks for the Future: The Case for Next Generation Network Planning
Stephen Lette and Riza Tolentino | Endeavour |
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
INSIGHTS HUB (Exhibition Hall) |
POWER TALKS STAGE (Exhibition Hall) |
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12:00 – 13:00 |
Lunch Break in Exhibition Hall
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Session 2
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Session 2
Could the NSW Distribution System Plan be a template for Australia? Timothy Jarratt | Ausgrid Colin Crisafulli | Essential Energy Anne Pearson | Essential Energy |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
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13:00 – 14:00 |
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14:00 – 15:20 |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
INSIGHTS HUB (Exhibition Hall) |
POWER TALKS STAGE (Exhibition Hall) |
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15:20 – 15:50 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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Session 3
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Session 3
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls A) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls B) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls E1, E2) |
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15:50 – 16:50 |
THEME 4 Power without permission: Who gets to shape the future?
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Concurrent Session 2A
Building Trust: Social Licence & Lasting Legacy Moderator: Emma Shanks | Energy Networks Australia |
Concurrent Session 2B
Customer First: Putting Communities At Our Heart Moderator: Lily Rickard | Energy Networks Australia |
Concurrent Session 2C
Inclusive Energy: A Fair Future for Everyone |
Concurrent Session 2D
Understanding Customers: The Key to Residential Electrification |
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View presentations
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The Energy Resilience Community Fund
Karen Winsbury | Ausnet |
Powering Customer Experience for a Net-Zero Future
Jess Morris | SAPN |
Noone left behind: Designing an inclusive energy future
Renate Vogt | United Energy |
A Tale of Two Networks: electrification insights from AusNet’s gas and electricity businesses
Nick Cimdins and Moyo Tian | Ausnet |
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How long linear projects of today will affect those of tomorrow
Marcus Baker | CNC project management |
Energy Masters: Household willingness to adopt demand flexibility behaviours
Lynette Washington | Uni SA |
Inclusive energy: enhancing accessibility for all customers
Kylie Dobson | AGIG |
Electrify 2515: A lighthouse for residential electrification and least-cost network planning
James Hazelton | Endeavour |
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Ombudsman insights from the REZ frontline: building trust from the ground up
Janine Young | Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW |
Bringing diverse customer needs into network planning
Stephen Craig | CSIRO |
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Mainstreaming a consumer-led energy transformation: the contribution of projects Symphony and Jupiter to the technology and market maturity of DER integration and orchestration in Australia Dani Alexander | UNSW |
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Co-Designing Australia’s Energy Future: Putting Customers at the Heart of the Energy Transition
Vida Cheeseman | Endeavour Energy |
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H,J) |
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17:00 – 18:30 |
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Halls F, G |
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18:30 – 22:30 |
| Plenary Hall (Halls C & D) | |||||
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07:30 |
Arrival Tea and Coffee
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08:50 – 09:10 |
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09:10 – 09:40 |
Keynote Session 1
THEME 1. Gridlock or greatness: Meeting the data-driven energy surge Gridlock or greatness Robin Khuda |
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09:40 – 10:30 |
Panel Discussion | Theme 1
Panel: Robin Khuda | Founder & CEO, AirTrunk Rik Ions-Mclean | Sector Lead – Manufacturing and Energy, Microsoft ANZ Amantha Imber | Inventium |
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10:30 – 11:00 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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11:00 – 12:00 |
THEME 1. Gridlock or greatness: Meeting the data-driven energy surge |
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Concurrent Session 1A
The Digital Load Surge: What Networks Need to Know Moderator: Oliver Nunn | Endgame Analytics |
Concurrent Session 1B
When AI Meets the Grid: Visibility, Control and Futureproofing |
Concurrent Session 1C
The Heart Of Digital Networks: People |
Concurrent Session 1D
Strengthening the Future Grid: Security, Flexibility and Coordination |
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07:30 |
Arrival Tea and Coffee
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09:00 – 09:30 |
Opening Address
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09:30 – 10:00 |
Keynote Session 1
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10:00 – 11:00 |
Plenary Session 1
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11:00 – 11:30 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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11:30 – 12:30 |
Concurrent Session 1A
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Concurrent Session 1B
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Concurrent Session 1C
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Concurrent Session 1D
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View presentations
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11:30 – 11:40 |
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11:40 – 11:50 |
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11:50 – 12:00 |
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12:00 – 12:10 |
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12:10 – 12:30 |
Q&A
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Q&A
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Q&A
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Q&A
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12:30 – 13:30 |
Lunch Break in Exhibition Hall
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13:30 – 14:00 |
Keynote Session 2
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14:00 – 14:30 |
Keynote Session 3
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14:30 – 15:30 |
Plenary Session 2
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15:30 – 16:00 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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16:00 – 17:00 |
Concurrent Session 2A
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Concurrent Session 2B
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Concurrent Session 2C
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Concurrent Session 2D
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View presentations
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16:00 – 16:10 |
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16:10 – 16:20 |
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16:20 – 16:30 |
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16:30 – 16:40 |
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16:40 – 17:00 |
Q&A
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Q&A
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Q&A
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Q&A
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17:00 – 18:30 |
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18:30 – 22:30 |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
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08:00 |
Arrival Tea and Coffee
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Exhibition Hall Opens EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
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08:50 – 10:35 |
Plenary session 3 THEME 3 Grid zero: Building Australia’s net-zero powerhouse Supported by SA Power Networks 
MC Welcome Address System snapshot: What’s going on in global energy systems? Gracie Brown | McKinsey Grid zero: Building Australia’s net-zero powerhouse Catherine Ball | Scientific Futurist Panel Discussion | Theme 3 Moderator: Panel: Catherine Ball | Scientific Futurist Devrim Celal | Kraken Andrew Bills | SAPN Massimo Danieli | Grid Automation, Hitachi Energy |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
INSIGHTS HUB (Exhibition Hall) |
POWER TALKS STAGE (Exhibition Hall) |
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10:35 – 11:05 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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Session 4 Operational Excellence Through Integrated Energy Transition and Electrification Solutions Roy Ghandi | Schneider Electric |
Session 4
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Hall A) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Hall B) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls E1, E2) |
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11:05 – 12:05 |
THEME 3 Grid zero: Building Australia’s net-zero powerhouse
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Concurrent Session 3A
Redefining the Future: Evolving Roles in a Changing System |
Concurrent Session 3B
Renewable Gas: Driving Sustainable Growth |
Concurrent Session 3C
Vision for the Future: What’s The Big Picture |
Concurrent Session 3D
Electrification & CER: Deep Dive into the Consumer Experience Moderator: Jonathon Dore | AEMO |
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View presentations
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Progressing the DSO journey
Andrew Bills | SAPN |
Driving the renewable gas sector forward with policy
Suzie Jakobovits | Jemena |
The future of energy – what does 2035 look like?
Mark Coughlin | Coughlin Advisory |
Electrification: what will it really do to Demand and Costs?
Chris Dunstan | CSIRO |
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The QLD DSO – Building the ship to sail off the map
Blake Harvey | Energy QLD |
Biomethane opportunities to decarbonise Australian industry
Hugo Kheilfa | Blunomy |
Future-Back: Reimagining Australia’s Electricity Networks for Net Zero
Bill Lilley | Race for 2030 |
Beyond the meter: behavioural demand modelling for smarter planning
Renan Grace | KPMG |
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Mapping the gas networks of tomorrow
Owen Sharpe | AGIG |
Developing the biomethane industry in WA through collaboration and connection – Case study on the East Keralup Biomethane Project
Lou Cuddihy | ATCO |
Averting a costly legacy: tackling the aging infrastructure challenge through strategic, collective action
Mark Vincent | SAPN |
Consumer Energy Resources Reforms: Navigating the National CER Roadmap, Emerging Models and where the market is heading
Tanya Denning | K&L Gates |
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Western Power : enabling a once-in-a-generation energy transition
Andrew Blaver | Western Power |
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
EXHIBITION HALL (Hall H, J) |
INSIGHTS HUB (Exhibition Hall) |
POWER TALKS STAGE (Exhibition Hall) |
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12:05 – 13:05 |
Lunch Break in Exhibition Hall
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Session 5
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Session 5
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
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13:05-14:25 |
Plenary Session 4
THEME 2 Hardwired for Change: Regulation, innovation, action Supported by CEFC 
Hardwired for Change: Regulation, innovation, action Paul Simshauser | Ibredrola Australia Panel Discussion | Theme 2 Moderator: Panel: Paul Simshauser | Ibredrola Australia Anna Collyer | Australian Energy Market Commission Tim Nelson | Griffith University |
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
EXHIBITION HALL (Halls H, J) |
INSIGHTS HUB (Exhibition Hall) |
POWER TALKS STAGE (Exhibition Hall) |
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14:25 – 14:55 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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Session 6
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Session 6
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PLENARY HALL (Halls C, D) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Hall A) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Hall B) |
CONCURRENT SESSION (Halls E1, E2) |
Additional CONCURRENT SESSION Hall K |
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14:55 – 15:55 |
THEME 2 Hardwired for Change: Regulation, innovation, action
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Concurrent Session 4A
Rethinking Regulation: Embracing Change for a New Era Moderator: Bruno Coelho | SAPN |
Concurrent Session 4B
On the Road to Transformation: EVs and Transport Electrification Moderator: Daniel Bye | CitiPower and Powercor Australia |
Concurrent Session 4C
Investing in the Future: Tariffs and The Grid Moderator: Emma Ringland | Endeavour Energy |
Concurrent Session 4D
Charting New Paths: Creative Approaches to Network Planning |
Concurrent Session 4E
Planning For Success: Strategic ISP and Network Planning for a Connected Future |
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View presentations
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Smart meters, smarter charging: Consumer-driven data solutions for EV Integration
Michael Dello-Iacovo | Energy Consumers Australia |
Network tariffs: is the future defective of cost reflective
Dale Yeats | Houstonkemp Economists |
From Engineers to everyone: how redefining the Digital Twin is unlocking enterprise-wide utilisation
Col Ussher | Essential |
Fragmenting the national regulatory concensus – the road to reg flexibility and action?
Geoff Petersen | Gilbert and Tobin |
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Do we need a Hilmer 2.0 review for energy?
Fiona McAnally | Ausgrid |
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Network pricing: the future if not about pricing electricity, it is about pricing behaviour
Pratib Parthiban | SAPN |
View to the future: How we are revolutionising network planning to support customers to electrify their homes and businesses
Tom Langstaff | Powercor |
Electranet’s CEO on SA grid work and scale of the challenge | Grid Zero: Building Australia’s Net-Zero Powerhouse
Simon Emms | Electranet |
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Getting our wires crossed: Can a fragmented NEM deliver an efficient energy transition for consumers? Dylan Frangos | HoustonkempEconomists |
Unlocking maximum grid value from transport electrification
Kate Thompson | EA Technology |
Banking on the Grid: How strategic investment delivers value
Bobby Vidakovic | Clean Energy Finance Corp |
Hardwired for Change: empowering a flexible energy marketplace through network services innovation
Chad Moulden | Piclo |
Evolving network planning to meet net zero challenges: lessons from state innovation and system integration
Claire Rozyn | Farrierswier |
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Securing Australia’s Energy Transition Chris Davies | AEMO |
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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Combined Q&A and Panel Discussion
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16:05 – 16:15 |
Conference Closing Remarks
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16:30 – 18:30 |
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07:30 |
Arrival Tea and Coffee
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08:15 – 08:30 |
Welcome Address
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08:30 – 09:00 |
Keynote Session 4
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09:00 – 09:30 |
Keynote Session 5
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09:30 – 10:30 |
Plenary Session 3
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10:30 – 11:00 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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11:00 – 12:00 |
Concurrent Session 3A
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Concurrent Session 3B
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Concurrent Session 3C
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Concurrent Session 3D
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View presentations
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11:00 – 11:10 |
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11:10 – 11:20 |
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11:20 – 11:30 |
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11:30 – 11:40 |
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11:40 – 12:00 |
Q&A
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Q&A
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12:00 – 13:00 |
Lunch Break in Exhibition Hall
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13:00 – 13:30 |
Keynote Session 6
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13:30 – 14:00 |
Keynote Session 7
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14:00 – 15:00 |
Plenary Session 4
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15:00 – 15:30 |
Coffee Break in Exhibition Hall
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15:30 – 16:15 |
Concurrent Session 4A
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Concurrent Session 4B
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Concurrent Session 4C
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Concurrent Session 4D
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View presentations
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15:30 – 15:40 |
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15:40 – 15:50 |
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15:50 – 16:00 |
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16:00 – 16:15 |
Q&A
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16:20 |
Conference Closing Remarks
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16:30 – 18:30 |
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Industry Streams
The industry streams will provide:
- Targeted discussions on sector-specific issues
- Case studies and real-world applications
- Insights from experts and industry leaders
EN26 is driven by four key themes:
1. Gridlock or greatness: Meeting the data-driven energy surge
Discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by the rise of data centres, AI, and big data technologies in the energy transition.
2. Hardwired for change: Regulation, innovation, and action
Future-proofing of Australia’s energy networks through regulatory reform and innovation to meet digital demands and extreme weather events.
3. Grid zero: Building Australia's net-zero powerhouse
Explore how Australia can align infrastructure, technology, and policy to lead the global energy transition ahead of COP31.
4. Power without permission: Who gets to shape the future?
Explore how energy sectors can earn societal trust and redefine Australia’s energy story to meet the needs of our communities.