Installer Roadshows

The SEC repeated the successful State Energy Summit format in Adelaide in

early August once more in front of a packed auditorium. This time the speaker line up included engineer, scientist and author of Rewiring Australia Saul Griffith whose powerful message: “The macroeconomic argument for electrification is a slam dunk… with lower costs to the consumer by ~2025,” went a’flutter in the twittersphere.

Northern neighbours

Early in August Smart Energy Council President Steve Blume addressed the B20 Indonesia-Australia Business Summit in Canberra where he emphasised the strong and enduring ties between the two nations. “With our friends in Indonesia we share a common border, common interests and like-minded goals for shaping a renewable energy future,” he said. “Our geographical proximity and shared aspirations for smarter energy and transport systems bode well for this strategic region and we seek to strengthen our ties for mutual benefit.” SEC’s Wayne Smith (right) with Neoen and Indonesian Energy Dept representatives

On the road with Geoff Bragg’s Roadshows

Between July 21 and August 11 Sunman and Smart Energy Council Director Geoff Bragg reached 500 Installers at Installer Roadshows in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. “The solar industry had been rattled by the real-world application of the introduction of solar array standard AS/NZS 5033:2021 leading to confusion and frustration among designers, installers, manufacturers and suppliers,” said Geoff whose talk centred on compliance measures.

SEC acknowledges the support of Roadshow event partners Emerging Energy Solutions, GoodWe, Growatt, Risen Energy, Solar Juice, Solis, and Trina Solar.

Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Summit

Elsewhere in this magazine we unpack the outcomes of the highly successful EV Summit held in mid-August to accelerate EV uptake.

The 250 gathered were first to hear of Labor’s commitment to a Consultation Paper On Fuel Efficiency Standards which follows repeated calls backed by submissions by the Smart Energy Council along with business and industry groups. The SEC teamed with the Electric Vehicle Council and The Australia Institute to stage the Summit with support from Boundless (Mike Cannon-Brookes’ new philanthropic body).

Such was the success of the event that SEC is busy planning the next: Batteries on Wheels in late November in Sydney. A driving force! SEC’s Wayne Smith and John Grimes with Behyad Jafari of EVC and TAI’s Richard Merzian discuss the urgent need for robust fuel efficiency standards as a critical part of climate action

Jobs and Skills Summit

Chief executive John Grimes was one of just 100 industry leaders to attend the Jobs and Skills Summit held in Canberra in early September. There, he represented the renewables sector based on input from SEC members. We eagerly await some positive and pragmatic outcomes from this important event that will shape the future of the skills base as well as the national economy.

Accolade on the world stage

In late August John Grimes visited India where he was presented with the Energy and Environment Foundation’s 2022 Global Excellence Award in Renewable Energy. John was recognised for his ‘vision, leadership, outstanding contribution and for demonstrating excellence in the renewable energy sector.’ Congratulations boss, Team Smart Energy is chuffed!