Join us for our upcoming energy forum titled, Navigating the changing energy landscape, which will provide you and your organisation with essential insights into emerging trends, technological and policy changes, and challenges facing the energy sector and South Australian households.
The program will include sessions on:
- Electrification
- Energy efficiency & REPS
- Tariffs and smart meters
- Virtual power plants and batteries
Community sector organisations are pivotal in empowering local communities to actively engage in the energy transition, advocating for equitable access to clean energy and supporting vulnerable populations. By participating, you will enhance our collective capacity to emphasise social equity and inclusion in energy decision-making.
Even if your organisation isn’t directly involved in energy, these changes will impact your members and the communities you serve. This forum aims to equip attendees with the knowledge to navigate the energy transition effectively and understand its implications.
Date: Wednesday 26 June 2024
Time: 10am - 3.30pm
Venue: UCity, 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide
SACOSS members are able to purchase tickets for $55, with non-member tickets starting from $77. Lunch will be provided.
If you would like any further information on the Energy Forum, please contact SACOSS Events and Membership Engagement Coordinator, Amy Swinburne on 8305 4222 or amy@sacoss.org.au
With thanks to our event sponsors for their valued support
|
Event Partner
|
|
Community Sector Supporters
|
Speaker information:
|
Dan Cox
Dan Cox is Senior Executive, Community Services at UnitingSA. He oversees a diverse portfolio including homelessness, mental health, disability services, employment/training and child, youth and family services. In this context, those experiencing financial hardship and at risk of homelessness are represented across the portfolio, with many people struggling to overcome health, social and economic disadvantage. The UnitingSA team of financial counsellors, NDIS support workers, case managers, tenancy support officers and psychosocial support workers often work with clients to provide information, education and support across all life domains. Dan has broad experience in health and community services in government, non-government and research capacities. This experience has highlighted that to tackle complex issues, evidence, sound policy and legislation, adequate funding and quality, connected service delivery is required. |
|
Alex Fry
Alex joins us from the SA & NT Financial Counsellors Association (SAFCA) where she works on systemic advocacy for people in vulnerable financial situations, and those in the financial counselling workforce that support them. Alex has a background in utilities literacy and advocacy, having coordinated the ConnectEd program, where she developed a special interest in energy affordability and equity.
Alex has a varied background in community housing, community development and engagement. She uses her experience and knowledge to navigate the complexities of asset upgrades, accessing programs, grant making and holistic household benefits when in looking at home electrification, efficiency, and comfort.
|
|
Jay Gordon
Jay Gordon is an Energy Finance Analyst at IEEFA, focusing on the Australian electricity sector. His work focuses on demand-side opportunities, including energy efficiency and electrification, interactions with gas networks, and the implications for energy consumers.
Jay has experience in modeling Australia’s energy system transition, including investigating the role of the electricity sector in helping the broader economy transition towards a net-zero future. Jay previously worked at Climateworks Centre, where he led the organisation’s energy system modelling capabilities. This included the development of Australian decarbonisation scenarios to inform the Australian Energy Market Operator's Integrated System Plan |
|
Merrily Hunter
Merrily Hunter is the Founder and CEO of MAC Trade Services, the largest REPS electrification service provider in South Australia, and serves as Vice President of the Energy Efficiency Council Board. In 2022, MAC acquired ZEN Energy's solar and battery engineering business to expand their services into building some of the largest renewable assets on the NEM. Prior to founding MAC, Merrily established and ran AGL's first energy efficiency compliance department with a dedicated focus on vulnerable homes. With over 24 years in business and the energy sector, Merrily leads a team of 45 and a network of over 200 tradespeople dedicated to the energy transition.
|
|
Dr Andrew Nance
An Electrical Engineer by training, Andrew has become one of South Australia’s most widely experienced and well respected energy specialists. A SACOSS staff member in 2004 and part-time advisor for a decade after that, Andrew is passionate about making sure consumers don’t get ripped off during the energy transition. In 2018, Andrew completed a PhD in Energy Policy at University College London and has served as Chair of various Customer Panels for SA Power Networks, AEMO, Evoenergy and the Australian Energy Regulator. Andrew is a director at The Energy Project – an Adelaide-based consultancy that helps business and government clients navigate the markets for energy and energy things. |
|
Dr Bryn Williams
Dr Bryn Williams is an independent energy consultant and renewable energy advocate. Prior to March 2024 he worked for more than 10 years for SA Power Networks where he led the development of strategies to integrate South Australia’s world-leading levels of Consumer Energy Resources (CER) with the grid. Bryn is an expert in the areas of smart meters and tariff reform and considers these as key parts of the puzzle in ensuring an efficient, just and fair transition to renewable energy that benefits all. He is co-author of SA Power Networks’ 2020 Rule change proposal for access and pricing of Distributed Energy Resources which led to reforms to Australia’s National Electricity Rules to allow the cost of network upgrades to enable solar to be funded by solar customers through two-way tariffs, and co-author of the 2023 rule change Accelerating the deployment of smart meters and unlocking their benefits.
|
