On this week's episode, we have Ryan Wavish, GM of Innovation at Engie Australia, to explore how one of the world's largest energy companies is navigating Australia's unique energy transition challenges. From his early days at boutique consultancy Marshman Hill working with ARENA's A-Lab initiative to leading Engie's ambitious 500MW virtual power plant vision by 2030, Ryan shares insights into building customer trust, managing distributed energy resources, and creating the "business model of the future" for energy retailers.(01:00) Working at global energy company Engie(03:00) Getting into renewables after Copenhagen(04:00) Marshman Hill and ARENA's A-Lab initiative(07:00) GM Innovation role and future business models(09:00) Customer flexibility and asset control(11:00) Building trust with energy customers(12:00) Global collaboration across Engie businesses(15:00) Technology platforms and business systems(18:00) Engie's value and sustainability philosophy(21:00) ARENA VPP trial growth to 50MW(24:00) Customer lessons and price sensitivity(26:00) Are Australia's energy markets too complex?(28:00) Role of community energy models(29:00) Simplifying energy through mobile apps(31:00) Career advice for energy newcomers
The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations. Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io
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34:26
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34:26
Launching the Network Edge Open Source Platform with Ben Meek
Join Dr Greg Trainor as he sits down with Network Edge founders Ben Meek and Neil Belford to announce the launch of the Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform. This special episode explores how Network Edge is applying lessons learned from building energy transition businesses in the US market to create collaborative digital solutions for Australia's energy transformation.The conversation covers the development of Network Edge's U30 framework - a comprehensive strategy for utility digitalisation that reimagines how electricity networks operate in a world of distributed energy resources. Ben and Neil discuss their vision for open source collaboration in the energy sector, drawing inspiration from successful US industry forums and the need for better coordination between utilities, regulators, community groups, and technology providers.Key topics include the emergence of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the challenge of managing two-way energy flows from 4 million Australian solar installations, and how local government can play a bigger role in the energy transition. The episode also reveals plans for a distributed energy management forum and explains how the podcast serves as an anchor for bringing together diverse voices across the energy ecosystem.(04:00) Background on Network Edge and US energy market experience(07:00) Digitisation challenges and 4 million Australian solar installations(09:00) Network Edge advisory work with electric operators and regulation(11:00) US energy market collaboration models and industry forums(14:00) Launch of Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform(16:00) Open source approach inspired by tech giants and collaboration(17:00) Podcast as central anchor for knowledge sharing ecosystem(20:00) U30 framework: digitalising utilities and operational technology(22:00) Making U30 framework available as open source resource(24:00) Local government propensity modelling project with Macquarie University(25:00) Distributed energy management forum participants and value(27:00) Distribution System Operators vs current network companies(30:00) Platform governance, membership and international scope(32:00) Community energy templates and global best practices
The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations. Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io
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35:00
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35:00
Virtual Power Plants: From Europe to Australia with Luc Van Duinen
Join hosts Dr Greg Trainor and Neil Belford as they sit down with Luc van Duinen, VPP Lead at Dame Technologies, for a comprehensive exploration of virtual power plants from a global perspective. From his early days at Engie in the Netherlands working with potato farmers and their "Ferrari" batteries to building VPP platforms across multiple Australian energy companies, Luc shares valuable insights into the evolution of distributed energy management.The conversation covers the stark differences between European and Australian energy markets, the challenges of customer education versus business engagement, and why controllable load represents massive untapped potential.About Luc:As a mechanical engineer specialised in sustainable energy technologies, Luc van Duinen has led the development of multiple Virtual Power Plant (VPP) products for both commercial & industrial (C&I) and residential sectors. Luc has managed the end-to-end development of one of the first VPPs to successfully provide fast ancillary services in Europe, and is passionate about pioneering innovative VPP business models.(01:00) Early career at Engie Netherlands and startup incubation(03:00) World Cup halftime and coal power station analogy(05:00) Differences between European and Australian energy markets(07:00) Regulatory approaches: Europe vs Australia(08:00) Working across multiple Australian VPP projects(10:00) Business vs residential VPP value proposition(12:00) Platform building and asset type diversification(14:00) Customer control and the virtual red button(15:00) VPP impact on market development and renewables(16:00) Grid frequency control and FCAS pricing trends(17:00) EV integration and behavioural charging patterns(18:00) Current role at Dame Technologies and platform development(19:00) AI applications in price forecasting and customer advice(21:00) Trading models and upcoming regulatory changes(22:00) Technology vs change management balance(25:00) Talent and skills development for VPP operations(26:00) Success stories: potato farmers and Ferrari batteries(28:00) Market complexity and compliance challenges(30:00) Untapped flexibility potential and low-hanging fruit(31:00) Career advice: taking ownership and pushing boundaries
The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations. Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io
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33:25
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33:25
From Coal Country to Solar Success with Andy McCarthy
Join hosts Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford as they chat with Andy McCarthy, founder and former CEO of Gippsland Solar, for an inspiring conversation about building Australia's renewable energy future from the heart of coal country. Andy shares his remarkable journey from a troubled teen with ADHD to becoming a solar industry pioneer, establishing his company in the Latrobe Valley surrounded by coal-fired power stations and eventually selling to RACV Solar.(02:00) Early life struggles and discovering solar through battery work(05:00) Moving to Latrobe Valley and starting Gippsland Solar(07:00) Typical customers and hiding solar panels from neighbours(09:00) Hazelwood closure and community attitude changes(11:00) Building bridges and changing approaches to coal communities(14:00) Industry challenges: race to the bottom vs long-term value(17:00) Battery rebates and sustainable industry development(20:00) Community energy models and behind-the-meter solutions(22:00) Commercial solar uptake and hospital case study(25:00) Electric vehicle adoption and early charging infrastructure(29:00) Australia's world-leading solar success factors(32:00) Manufacturing opportunities lost and energy security(35:00) RACV acquisition and Gen-tailer business models(37:00) Advice for renewable energy entrepreneurs(39:00) Customer engagement and listening to needs(41:00) Next chapter: CEP Energy and embedded networks
The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations. Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io
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43:40
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43:40
Wind Power & the Path Ahead: NZ’s Energy Evolution with Kevin Hart
Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford sit down with Kevin Hart, CEO of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association, to explore the evolving landscape of wind power in Aotearoa. Kevin shares his remarkable journey from international judo competitor to renewable energy leader, before diving into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector—from global supply chain constraints and complex regulation to the huge potential of offshore wind. The conversation unpacks the critical role of firming, energy storage, and community involvement in building a secure, reliable future for New Zealand’s energy grid. It's a timely discussion for anyone interested in the transition to clean energy, leadership in action, and what it really takes to scale renewables.(01:35) Kevin Hart’s journey from international judo to energy leadership(03:46) Inside the New Zealand Wind Energy Association(06:33) Wind energy today: challenges, capacity goals, and grid impact(15:31) Global supply chain pressures and regulatory complexity(17:46) What’s next: the future of wind energy in New Zealand(20:48) Community buy-in and the promise of offshore wind(34:12) The firming gap: batteries, storage and the role of tech(38:20) Kevin’s outlook: optimism and opportunity on the horizon
The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations. Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io
Ireland