Unveiling the Story Behind South Australia Blackout

Caused by extreme weather condition, South Australia’s blackout last September has proven that Australia’s energy network definitely has room for improvements. Though such event is rare, given the impact of it on such a big region, it is important for Australia to understand what happened last September in order to prevent it from happening again. Only by identifying the underlying causes of the blackout, we can strengthen the system’s resistance against future network failures and rebuild its stability.

The first section of the conference aims to give you a clear picture of South Australia’s blackout amidst the mix information that has been circulating around media platforms. With insights shared from our line-up of experts, you will be able to get down to the roots of the problem and devise valuable lessons to better prevent and restrain the impacts of such energy crisis.

• Power System Security now and into the future
• The growing inter-dependencies between gas and electricity
• The future of the National Electricity Market

Cameron Parrotte
Executive General Manager, WA Function
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
In January 2016, Cameron was seconded to the AEMO focusing on the transfer of System Management out of Western Power to the AEMO. From April 2016 he began acting in the AEMO Executive General Manager Western Australia role and was formally appointed in July 2016. In this role Cameron provides leadership to the WA market operations, implementation of Electricity Market Review initiatives and accountability for system management. Cameron joined Western Power (then the State Energy Commission of Western Australia) in 1992 as a cadet engineer and left in July 2016 as the Executive Manager Network Planning and Operations role. Cameron held numerous senior management and senior engineering positions covering technical, field and system operational aspects of electricity networks and markets. Cameron has a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours), a Bachelor of Commerce (Management major) and a Masters of Technology. He is a Chartered Professional Engineer, on the National Professional Engineers Register and is a member of the Institute of Engineers Australia.

• Quick look into South Australia’s energy network and infrastructure before the blackout
• What initiated the network’s chain of faults and how the network infrastructure responded
• How wind turbines respond in different crisis scenarios
• What are the potential culprits for the state-wide blackout?
• The extent of impact of SA outage

• Infrastructure drawbacks during the energy crisis
• Forecast and analysis procedures and areas for improvement

Panel Discussion

Getting to the Roots of the Problem: What Brought Us Here? 

• Would the same outcome happen with a different energy mix?
• Is Australia’s aggressive policies toward renewables to be blamed for the blackout?
• What does SA blackout means to SA as well as Australia’s energy network?

Panelists: 

• Professor Kenneth Baldwin, Director, ANU Energy Change Institute and ANU Public Policy Fellow
• Cameron Parrotte, Executive General Manager, WA Function, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
• Andrew Dillon, General Manager Corporate Affairs, AusNet Services
• Kieran Donoghue, General Manager, Policy, Australian Energy Council
• Tony Meehan, Executive Manager, Strategy & Regulation, TransGrid

 Finding Effective Policy Framework for Australia’s Energy Problems

The Finkel Review’s preliminary report has given us a brief look into the current state of Australia’s energy policy and clearly, the country can do better. With renewable energy continuously being injected into the national grid and traditional coal energy fading out of the picture, Australia needs to ensure its policy can keep up with the changes in its energy mix. It is of no help with the lack of clarity and unification between the state and federal government on the country’s energy direction. More than ever, the sector needs a realignment in direction, planning and strategizing to pave the way towards a clearer and stable energy future.

In the afternoon of Conference Day 1, you will explore possible policy directions to help Australia improve on energy security while achieving its international commitments. Our program will walk you through roadblocks as well as best practices from countries that have successfully resolved similar challenges. Most importantly, you will have the chance to discuss Finkel Review’s findings and how Australia’s energy policy should transform itself in years to come.

• How can Australia meet its commitment to the Paris Agreement via its energy policies?
• Are the current policies surrounding the NEM able to meet our climate goals while ensuring energy security?
• How can Australia eventually achieve a carbon-neutral energy system without compromising its energy security?

Managing the Implications of a Diminishing Role for Coal in the Domestic Electricity Mix

• Implications of coal generators’ closure on national energy stability and reliability
• Issues with mandatory retirement policies
• How stable energy market and emissions policy can bring clarity to the coal exit process

Kieran Donoghue
General Manager, Policy
Australian Energy Council
Kieran manages the Australian Energy Council policy, research and analysis functions. Prior to this, he was General Manager Policy at the Energy Supply Association of Australia (ESAA). Before joining ESAA in February 2010, Kieran spent three and a half years at Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, as Head of Networks Financial Issues. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in London and spent several years in a variety of finance roles at international companies.

Case Study: Lessons from Germany: The Keys to a Stable Renewable Energy System

• Germany energy structure then, now, and the future
• Policy frameworks to improve renewable energy innovation and adoption without compromising on network security
• Considerations for unintended positive and negative consequences

Liam Byrnes
Principal Energy Analyst
Aurizon
Liam is an experienced energy professional with expertise in energy economics, market adaptation and distributed generation. He works with industry and government to shape their energy strategy and drive projects and initiatives by providing expert advice to support enterprise planning and decision making in a rapidly evolving commercial environment. His PhD examined the viability of renewable energy in regional and remote Australia, highlighting the role of policy in shaping project viability and the energy mix. Over his career, Liam has worked on a diverse range of projects as the Australian manager of a German headquartered renewable energy and efficiency business, a lawyer, researcher and economist. He is passionate about Australia’s energy policy, sustainability, market structure and rural energy and regularly engages with government, industry and academia.

Panel Discussion

Discussing Finkel Review’s Findings – Where is Australia’s Energy Policy Heading From Here?

• What are the implications of increasing renewable energy percentage in the national energy mix?
• Should Australia limit the amount of renewable energy injected into its national grid?
• Should an emission intensity scheme replace current RET and coal closure?
• What is holding Australia back from aligning federal and state’s energy policies?

Panelists: 

• Professor Kenneth Baldwin, Director, ANU Energy Change Institute and ANU Public Policy Fellow
• Liam Byrnes, Principal Energy Analyst, Aurizon
• Alex Wonhas, Managing Director of Energy & Resources, Aurecon
• Kieran Donoghue, General Manager, Policy, Australian Energy Council

Enjoy a glass of champagne whilst networking with other like-minded individuals on topics that are of most interest to you and fellow delegates.

Australia’s Current Energy Challenges

There is no doubt that the energy sector has some of the most complex and contentious issues. If energy reform is not realized soon enough, the sector will have to answer to serious problems which will impact the whole country’s economy and security.

In the second day of the conference, you will explore the impact of energy insecurity on every single part of the country and how we can prepare ourselves for future energy crisis. The conference will serve as a forum to address the problems of rising energy price and discuss the persistent issues of current pricing mechanism. Join in the conversation and find out how Australia can ensure grid stability, energy affordability, and reduce carbon emission.

Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target: Challenges and Opportunities

In June 2016 the Victorian Government committed to renewable energy generation targets of 25 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2025. In this presentation Victoria’s Renewable Energy Advocate, Simon Corbell, will outline the challenges and opportunities of the VRET policy and the actions government, industry and community will need to take to achieve the targets.

Simon Corbell
Victoria’s Renewable Energy Advocate
Simon Corbell was appointed as the first Victorian Renewable Energy Advocate in December 2016 to promote the state’s renewable energy sector, provide independent advice to the Victorian Government and assist the state in meeting its renewable energy targets.

Simon was previously Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Environment and Climate Change of the ACT and served in the ACT Legislative Assembly between 1997 -2016.

In these roles he championed policy which put the ACT on track for 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020, through policies to support large scale solar, wind and battery storage projects.

Simon was a joint winner of the Banksia Foundation’s Gold Award for the ACT Solar Auction program in 2015, and has been recognized by the Clean Energy Council and the Climate Alliance for his work in championing the clean energy transition in Canberra and nationally. He is also a Patron of the Australian Solar Council, Adjunct Professor of the University of Canberra and Associate Honorary Professor at the ANU Energy Change Institute.

Designing a Regulatory Framework to Maintain System Security in a Changing World:

• What system security challenges is the electricity sector facing as the generation mix changes?
• What are the options available to better control and respond to changes in system frequency in the NEM?

Suzanne Falvi
Senior Director, Market Development
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Suzanne has a background as an energy regulatory lawyer and in her time at the Commission, has led and been involved with a broad range of rule change requests and reviews involving electricity, gas, networks and retail issues. Before joining the AEMC Suzanne worked as a Senior Policy Advisor for the ACT Government on implementing the National Energy Customer Framework and local renewable energy schemes. Prior to that, Suzanne specialized in competition, consumer protection, administrative law and commercial litigation for Minter Ellison, and worked as corporate counsel for a renewable start-up on intellectual property and energy regulatory issues. She has a Degree in Economics, an Honours Degree in Law and a Masters in International Law from the Australian National University.

• Australia’s energy price trend over the years
• How current energy policies impact electricity prices
• Comparing the cost of maintaining current system versus replacing outdated infrastructure
• How new energy business models such as P2P and sharing economy can bring energy-sufficient and empower Australians

Panel Discussion

Affordability – Reliability – Carbon Emission: Impossible Balancing Act?

• Can current policies achieve affordability and reliability while reducing carbon emission?
• Has the current energy pricing architecture failed to bring about efficiency and affordability?
• Should retailers pay the penalty for not acquiring enough renewable energy certificates if current policies fail to reach target?
• What is the role of privately owned distribution companies and retailers in balancing out affordability – reliability – carbon emission?
• How can Australia align its energy policies and pricing system?

Panelists: 

• Professor Kenneth Baldwin, Director, ANU Energy Change Institute and ANU Public Policy Fellow
• Kieran Donoghue, General Manager, Policy, Australian Energy Council
• Michael Edward Ottaviano, Managing Director, Carnegie Clean Energy
• Phil Blythe, Managing Director and Co-Founder, GreenSync
• Liam Byrnes, Principal Energy Analyst, Aurizon

• Healing of GIS database to map the low voltage network thanks to data analytics
• From machine learning to business outcomes: customer satisfaction and reduction of operating expenditures

Technology Answers for More Reliable Energy System

Australia’s energy infrastructure is calling for help. Designed more than 20 years ago, the country’s energy infrastructure is now out of touch with the current technology scene. With renewable energy taking up a larger part of the energy mix, Australia energy operators will need to upgrade themselves to address the instability of the new mix is posing to the grid.

In the last section of the conference, you will discover the latest innovations that can tackle the inherent instability issues of renewable energy, explore new technology trends in the industry to fire up efficiency as well as learn best practices from case studies around the world.

Technology and Engineering Options for a Secure and Affordable Australian Electricity System

• Australia’s electricity system’s transformation through the large-scale deployment of new and often decentralized demand and supply side of technologies
• Engineering solutions to manage the increase in demand and supply variability at all times and geographic scales
• The challenge of electricity generators, network operators and end-users to select the right approach and solutions to maintain the security, resilience and affordability of Australia’s future energy system.

Alex Wonhas
Managing Director of Energy & Resources
Aurecon
Dr Alex Wonhas has recently joined the Executive Team of Aurecon, a global engineering firm, where he is the global market Managing Director for Energy & Resources. Prior to Aurecon, Alex was the Executive Director with responsibility for Environment, Energy & Resources at CSIRO, Australia’s national research agency. In his role as Executive Director, Alex was instrumental in leading many nationally relevant energy initiatives such as the Future Grid Forum, the Australian National Outlook and the Network Transformation Roadmap. Alex served as an adviser to the 2012 and 2015 Energy White Papers. He was also a Board member of many energy related institutions and companies such as the Australian Solar Institute, the Australian National Low Emissions Coal R&D and Evergen. Prior to CSIRO, Alex worked for McKinsey & Company and advised clients on their energy and resource strategies. Alex holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge.

• Integration of energy storage with renewable energy generation
• Pumped hydro – low cost, proven technology
• Balancing demand and supply
• Kidston pumped storage project – 1,500 MWh of energy storage integrated with 270 MW solar PV

• How analytics technology revolutionizes grid operations, asset management, and customer service delivery to bring about energy efficiency
• The new economy dynamic of future smart energy system
• Regulatory implications of smart grid

• Diversification of energy source and supply is key to building resilience during this time of disruption in the energy sector
• Hybrid systems combining wave, solar, wind, battery storage and diesel via microgrids are the future of energy stability
• Carnegie’s unique business model encompassing the full value chain of design, development, finance, construction, operation and maintenance is supporting innovation and adaptability to keep up with the pace of change
• Case studies: Discussion on some of Carnegie’s key microgrid projects being delivered in conjunction with Carnegie’s subsidiary, Energy Made Clean, and JVA partner Lendlease, to provide unprecedented energy stability

Closing Remarks by Conference Chairman