Australia 4.0 Summit Keynote Speaker - Emeritus Professor Roy Green AM MAICD

Roy is Special Innovation Advisor at the University of Technology Sydney and former Dean of the UTS Business School. He has undergraduate degrees from the University of Adelaide and a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge. Roy has pursued a career in universities, government and industry and published widely on innovation and industrial policy, including with the OECD and European Commission.

He chaired the Australian Government’s Innovative Regions Centre, CSIRO Manufacturing Sector Advisory Council, Queensland Competition Authority, NSW Manufacturing Council and the Port of Newcastle. Currently, Roy chairs the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub and is a board director of CSIRO and SmartSat CRC. He is leading a review of the Federal government’s Energy Industry Jobs Plan for the Net Zero Economy Authority.

Debate Topics & Teams

Debate Topic #1 – What does success look like?

Summary: When the electricity grid has been transformed to embrace renewables and legacy systems, how will we know the transition to the Consumers Grid is complete? What will success look like and over what timeframe?

Moderator:                             Terry Lampard, National President, Electric Energy Society of Australia
A4 Committee Lead:              Wayne Fitzsimmons OAM

Proposition:

Success in transformation of the grid means service providers using AI to make all the decisions for the "best" outcome for each and every Australian rather than customers deciding what they need and want from service providers.

If we set 2035 as the horizon for completing the transition, then we will know we have succeeded in transforming the national electricity system when the following requirements are demonstrably in operation.

• The average retail price of electricity is below $0.10c/kwh for all Australians
• Grid resilience delivers confidence of supply at all levels in the face of natural disaster, peak demand, and demand growth.
• A digitally enabled, truly national, energy market
• Fit-for-purpose regulation that prioritises the consumer and enables efficient operation of and investment in networks.
• Universal access to electricity data that respects privacy
• Majority of the technology solutions employed for the electricity system will be sovereign Australian IP.

Debate Topic #1 Moderator: Terry Lampard

Terry Lampard - BEng MEng Mgt FIEAust CPEng NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aus) MIEEE

Terry has over 45 years of experience in the Electricity Supply Industry. He spent 37 years at Ausgrid in a variety of technical and managerial roles, finally as General Manager – Design and Engineering. He was the Lead Technical Advisor at NSW Treasury for the Electricity Network Lease transactions, which realised over $34B. He has been a participant and/or Chair of numerous industry standards committees in Standards Australia and the Energy Networks Association, was a Board Director of the Australian CRC for Renewable Energy, has lectured in High Voltage Engineering at Sydney University and is currently National President of the Electric Energy Society of Australia.

Debate Topic #2 – Creating the 'Consumers’ Grid'

Summary: The Consumers Grid will ensure efficiency, economy, efficacy, equity, sustainability, resilience and deliver national competitive advantage (productivity).

Moderator:                           James Seymour, former CEO, C4NET  
A4 Committee Lead:           Tim Ryan  
Proposition:

To optimise the personal, community, and system benefits of a high-CER system, it is inevitable that the fixed component of network charges will need greater weighting.

The old, linear, unidirectional, top-down model of electricity generation, supply and regulation is permanently disrupted by the advent of renewable energy and storage systems deployed throughout the network (DER) by commercial operators and consumers (CER).

ICT (Information & Communications Technology) combined with CER (Consumer Energy Resources) undoubtedly provides opportunities for Consumers to lower their costs.

The Consumers' Grid makes an assumption that the "grid" (especially Distribution Networks) is actually our - the consumers' - "Community Commons" and that we want it, and the network service providers (DNSP), to be focussed on digitalised solutions that enable providers and consumers to collectively improve network capacity, productivity, and our (consumers') energy use and cost efficiency - cheaper, smarter, better.

We seem to be clinging to a world dominated by the supply side, where the grid is optimised to match "supply side only control" risking the benefits of harnessing the ability of demand side levers to lower costs for all.

The Consumers' Grid model aims to provide the most equitable and efficient framework by having a network cost recovery based on a capacity subscription model that guarantees minimum amount of export and import capacity at all times to the consumer operating with DOE (Dynamic Operating Envelopes). This model will facilitate access to spare capacity at no, or little, charge except when and where there is actual congestion. This subscription model explicitly supports FTM (Front of The Meter) storage (OASIS, ESaaS), and portability of subscription for kerbside Electric Vehicle Charging Installation (EVCI), or alternate location, EV charging/discharging.

This creates the greatest flexibility for consumers, but needs to do so in a way that is fair, reasonable, equitable, and efficient.   

Debate Topic #2 Moderator: James Seymour

James Seymour is the Director of Apten Advisory, a specialised advisory and data analytics firm dedicated to addressing the energy sector’s rapidly evolving challenges. He brings more than 20 years of experience across the energy sector.

As CEO of the Centre for New Energy Technologies (C4NET), James led the development and delivery of a $25M portfolio of industry-led, data-driven collaborative research projects supporting Australia’s energy transition. Under his leadership, C4NET drove access to, and utilisation of, large-scale smart meter data, enabling evidence-based policy development, consumer behaviour insights, and electricity system modelling.

Debate Topic # 3 – Standards underpin our national success

Summary: Ensuring the most appropriate standards are in place for a successful transformation to the Consumers’ Grid.

Exploiting the advantage Australia has by leading renewable energy adoption to develop sovereign standards, and/or adapt international standards for products, services and network planning will:

• Require the adoption of the C4NET EPS planning tools in combination with the AEMO ISP to provide a truly holistic         approach that can provide clear signals on investment, regulation, and interoperability
• Accelerate the energy transition
• Underpin the stability and resilience of the future grid
• Stimulate innovation and commercialisation of sovereign solutions that will form the basis for a new, sustained export sector to support the rest of the world in the transition of all energy systems

Proposition:  Australia should define sovereign standards to shape its energy future.

Moderator:                           George Sfinas, Engagement Manager, Standards Australia
A4 Committee Lead:           Dr Ian Oppermann

Pro Core Argument: Australia’s unique energy landscape and leadership in consumer energy resources demand sovereign standards tailored to national needs.

Supporting Points:

• Local Relevance: High rooftop solar penetration, remote communities, and decentralised grids require customised solutions.
• Innovation Leadership: Sovereign standards can drive local innovation and create exportable technologies.
• Strategic Sovereignty: Control over standards ensures alignment with national policy and energy security.
• Global Influence: Australia can set benchmarks and contribute to international standards from a position of strength.

Con Core Argument: Adopting established international/overseas standards ensures interoperability, reduces costs, and accelerates deployment of consumer grid technologies.

Supporting Points:

• Efficiency: Leveraging existing standards avoids duplication and speeds up implementation.
• Interoperability: Global standards ensure compatibility with imported technologies and multinational systems.
• Cost Savings: Reduces the burden of developing and maintaining unique standards.
• Global Integration: Aligning with major economies supports trade, investment, and technology exchange.

Debate Topic #4 - Skills – grow and sustain the workforce

Summary: Australia needs to triple the supply of qualified engineers and tradespeople to complete the transformation of the energy system. The skills shortage threatens to delay renewable projects and undermine the shift to a smarter, digital energy grid — making it a question of whether to prioritise quick fixes to meet urgent demand or long-term reforms to build lasting capability.

Proposition:

Australia should focus its efforts on meeting the energy transition skills gaps with short-term solutions rather than long-term skill building

Moderator:                           CJ Wilson, Sustainability Specialist, Robert Bird Pty Ltd
A4 Committee Lead:           Colin Farrelly

This will best be achieved by:

• Increased number of private sector training providers offering upskilling/cross-skilling short courses
• Quadrupling the number of domestic students graduating as relevant professionals and technicians from Australian universities and vocational training by 2028 and sustaining that level for at least one decade
• Providing incentives to existing workers and future workers to undertake retraining or primary training through student fee relief and tax relief that are effective for at least 20 years post-graduation.

Debate Topic #4 Moderator: CJ Wilson, Sustainability Specialist, Robert Bird Group Pty Ltd

With a background as a civil engineer and 10 years as a construction project manager on notable commercial buildings like the Google Bay View Campus and Stanford University SESI Project, CJ brings a deep understanding of building operations and project delivery. His passion for a sustainable future led him to specialize in sustainable design, earning a Masters in Architectural Design of High Performance Buildings from the University of Sydney.

As an embodied carbon and sustainability specialist at Robert Bird Group, CJ develops process-based systems that accelerate the adoption of sustainable strategies in operations and project delivery. He is also the chair Engineer’s Australia NSW Sustainable Engineers Society Chapter, coordinating efforts including upskilling for the energy transition and net zero economy.

Debate Topic #5 – Digitalising the Grid

Summary: Digitalisation is a necessary foundation for the successful transformation of the national electricity grid. The defining aspects of this digitalisation address control, monitoring, privacy, adaptability, and redundancy.

Proposition: A utility led digitalisation step change is the right path to the Consumers' Grid

Moderator:                           Neil Horrocks, Networks Program Leader for RACE for 2030
A4 Committee Lead:           Jordan Green AM

Success in this effort demands:

• Emphasising sovereign capabilities and sovereign solutions
• Cybersecurity and system resilience designed for a consumer centric grid
• Changed roles and resourcing for regulators to be more collaborative and less siloed
• Industry leading the design, implementation, and funding of digital infrastructure

Debate Topic #5 - Debaters

Jason Clark - Managing Director, Calab.ai

In his role as the Managing Director of Calab.ai, Jason leverages generative AI to transform legacy operations. He leads the design and commercialisation of technologies that help transform industries and unlock new value. With over 20 years of senior leadership experience, Jason has scaled high-growth businesses, delivering major operational transformations. He brings deep sector expertise in utilities, having held senior executive roles at Ausgrid and AGL.

Simon English - Network Technology Manager, Powercor & Citipower

Simon English is an electrical engineer with over 30 yrs experience in operational technology related disciplines. He has worked in a wide range of industries including oil and gas, airports, pharmaceutical manufacturing, casinos and prisons as well as the electricity distribution sector. He has specialised in a wide variety of technology areas and systems engineering capability and has spent a significant portion of his career managing the challenges and opportunities where information technology and operational technology merge. Simon currently works for Citipower, Powercor and United Energy mapping out the future needs for technology in the power network as the energy transition rapidly moves into the distribution networks.

Sharon Swift - Senior Manager, UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute (DGFI)

Sharon Swift is a Senior Manager at the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute (DGFI), where she plays a central role in building strategic connections between researchers, industry partners, and business leaders to forge interdisciplinary collaborations and translational outcomes. With a global career spanning several decades across business, operations, and entrepreneurship, Sharon brings a rare combination of commercial acumen and academic insight to her work. Her expertise in partnership development and stakeholder engagement helps to expand DGFI’s collaborative networks and delivering outcomes that bridge research and application. Sharon’s professional interests centre on communication, collaboration, and capability building across the energy transition. She is passionate about improving energy literacy and consumer empowerment, inspiring curiosity in young learners exploring STEM, and encouraging experienced professionals to share their expertise. She also works to shape decarbonisation career pathways, recognising the vital role workforce development plays in addressing the global climate challenge.

Michael Dello-Iacovo - Executive Manager of Advocacy & Policy, Energy Consumers Australia

Michael is an Executive Manager of Advocacy & Policy at Energy Consumers Australia where he champions better energy outcomes for residential and small business consumers. His work spans areas including electricity distribution networks, electric vehicle integration, and energy resilience strategies. A key achievement has been leading ECA's Integrated Distribution System Planning rule change request, which aims to modernize network planning and data collection rules to better serve Australian consumers in the energy transition. Michael brings an unusually interdisciplinary perspective to energy policy. He holds a PhD focused on the application of seismic techniques in space exploration. His diverse career also includes hands-on experience as a geophysicist in the Australian energy sector, heading strategy for a think tank focused on animal welfare and AI policy, and has engaged directly with democratic processes through running for public office. This background — spanning hard sciences, industry operations, emerging technology governance, and public service — equips him to tackle the technical, social, and political dimensions of Australia's energy transformation.

Debate Topic #5 Moderator: Prof. Neil Horrocks - Networks Program Leader for Race 2030

Neil Horrocks has more than 30 years of energy industry experience across the electricity and gas sectors including roles in retail, distribution and asset management. Neil is passionate about innovation that drives our energy transformation and is highly experienced collaborating with industry and academia in this pursuit. Neil is particularly interested in the opportunities that our digital world is creating to optimise the transition and has worked in projects in big data energy analytics, artificial intelligence, gamified behaviour change and optimised load control projects.

Neil currently is the Networks Program Leader and Deputy Chief Research Officer for RACE for 2030 where he works with networks and leading universities across Australia to explore new opportunities for customer participation in tomorrow’s electricity sector. He also Chairs the Customer and Community Reference Group at Urban Utilities.

Prior to joining Race for 2030, Neil has held roles as Director of the UQ Research Centre for Energy Data Innovation, CEO of Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Major Project Manager (Demand Management) at Energex.