First Fuel

In Episode 59 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Dr Mary Stewart, CEO of energy and climate advisory firm Energetics and President of the Energy Efficiency Council.

Luke and Mary discuss the key take outs from the Conference of Parties in Glasgow, the drivers for the avalanche of net zero commitments from Australian corporates, and the crucial role of energy management in the transition.

Mentioned in this episode:

First Fuel Episode 57: Urgency and action with Tim Goodson

Key topics:

- Outcomes of Glasgow Conference of Parties

- Role of ambition from the COP Presidency

- Drivers for net zero commitments for Australian corporates

- Translating emissions reduction ambition into action

- Strategic outlook of the Energy Efficiency Council

Connect with our guests:

Find Mary at https://twitter.com/Dr_Mary_Stewart

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 58 of First Fuel, we bring you a panel discussion from the launch of the fourth edition of the Energy Efficiency Council’s annual energy briefing for Australian businesses, Navigating a dynamic energy landscape.

Luke is joined by Wei Sue, System Lead for Sustainable Corporates at ClimateWorks Australia, Sally Townsend, Head of Sustainability at Blackmores Group and Holly Taylor, Head of Projects at the Energy Efficiency Council. They talk about how concerns around cost and carbon are driving business decision making around energy strategy, and how leading companies are translating net zero ambitions into action.

Mentioned in this episode:

Navigating a dynamic energy landscape: A briefing for Australian businesses (Energy Efficiency Council)

Corporate action for 1.5 degrees: Best practice for Australian company net zero commitments (ClimateWorks Australia)

Blackmores Sustainability Report 2021

Sustainability Advantage (NSW Government)

Key topics:

- Drivers for transformation in electricity and gas markets

- Business drivers for decarbonisation

- Best practices in operationalising net zero commitments

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 57 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Tim Goodson, an Energy Analyst at the International Energy Agency.

Luke and Tim discuss the IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 report, the importance of front-loading action on the pathway to net zero, and the role of renewables, electrification, energy efficiency and demand management in the transition.

Mentioned in this episode:

Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector

Key topics:

- Importance of near term action and hitting milestones on the pathway to net zero

- Role of renewables, electrification, energy efficiency and demand management in net zero journey

- Phasing out technology to spur innovation

- Social license in the transition

Connect with our guests:

Find the International Energy Agency at https://twitter.com/IEA

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 56 of First Fuel, we bring you a panel discussion from the joint opening plenary of Energy Efficiency Expo and All-Energy Australia, which took place just twelve days before the twenty-sixth Conference of Parties in Glasgow.

Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by John Connor, CEO of the Carbon Market Institute, Zoe Whitton, Executive Director at Pollination, Gretta Stephens, Chief Executive for Climate Change at Bluescope, Anna Malos, Country lead for Australia at ClimateWorks Australia, and Darren Miller, CEO of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

This stellar panel digs into the topic of the moment – Australia’s pathway to net zero.

Mentioned in this episode:

Energy Efficiency Expo

All-Energy Australia

Carbon Market Institute’s Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit

Investor Group on Climate Change’s annual investor survey

Bluescope’s net zero goal

ClimateWorks Australia’s Decarbonisation Futures report

Key topics:

- Net zero pathways by sector

- Investor approach to carbon risk

- Decarbonising steel

- Role of energy flexibility in net zero

- Hydrogen and electrification

- Supporting business planning for net zero

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 55 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Mark Lister, Chair of the Efficiency Valuation Organisation, the global body that drives best practice in the measurement and verification of energy savings.

In anticipation of the first World M&V Week, Luke and Mark discuss the history of measurement and verification, it’s crucial role in building confidence in the energy efficiency market, and how M&V practice is evolving over time.

Mentioned in this episode:

World M&V Week

Energy Efficiency Expo Virtual Conference

Key topics:

- Background of the Efficiency Valuation Organisation

- History and principles of the IPMVP

- M&V as market enabler

- Implications of digitalisation for M&V

- Role of M&V in delivering net zero

Connect with our guests:

Find the Efficiency Valuation Organisation at https://twitter.com/EVO_IPMVP

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 54 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by two guests. Jenny Edwards is a Director of Light House Architecture and Science and one of Australia’s leading experts in building envelope testing. John Konstantakopoulos is Managing Director of Efficiency Matrix and a YouTuber specialising in educational videos focused on building performance.

Luke, Jenny and John interrogate common misconceptions around airtightness, insulation and ventilation, and discuss how we can optimise all these variables to deliver efficient, comfortable, healthy homes to Aussie families.

Coming up:

Further, Faster, Together: Opportunities for collaboration between Germany and Australia on energy efficiency in buildings

https://www.eec.org.au/policy-advocacy/projects/further-faster-together

Webinar: Further, faster, together: Collaboration on energy efficiency in buildings 2.0

https://adelphi.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EBkoTszZR465UYEU_k42kw

Mentioned in this episode:

National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 public comment draft

https://consultation.abcb.gov.au/engagement/ncc-2022-public-comment-draft-stage-2/

How our energy efficient homes are a breeding ground for COVID-19

https://www.domain.com.au/news/how-our-energy-efficient-homes-are-a-breeding-ground-for-covid-19-1086246/

Condensation management (Renew article by Jenny Edwards)

https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/efficient-homes/condensation-management/#:~:text=Jenny%20Edwards%20recommends%20a%20holistic,homes%20are%20on%20the%20increase.&text=Poor%20moisture%20management%20also%20results,and%20last%20a%20long%20time

Key topics:

Policy landscape

- Update’s to residential energy efficiency provisions in Australia’s national construction code

- Practical principles for industry and policy makers looking to improve thermal performance

Improving residential energy efficiency

- Myths and misconceptions around insulation, airtightness, ventilation and condensation

- Straightforward building practices to optimise across these areas

Connect with our guests:

Find Jenny at https://www.lighthouseteam.com.au

Find John at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLaC1JZUVwvHAxt1FzyloA

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 53 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Ruud Kempener from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy.

Luke and Ruud discuss the European Union’s ambition to cut its emissions by at least 55% by 2030, the Commission’s suite of ambitious new policy proposals known as 'Fit for 55', and the central role of energy efficiency and energy management in the bloc's climate plans.

Mentioned in this episode:

European Green Deal: Commission proposes transformation of EU economy and society to meet climate ambitions

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_3541

Q&A: How ‘Fit for 55’ reforms will help EU meet its climate goals

https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-how-fit-for-55-reforms-will-help-eu-meet-its-climate-goals

First Fuel Episode 51: ‘This won’t hurt a bit’ with Tennant Reed

https://anchor.fm/energy-efficiency-council/episodes/51-This-wont-hurt-a-bit-with-Tennant-Reed-e16e3ab

From EEC HQ:

Certified Energy Manager training – registrations close 28 September

https://www.eec.org.au/events/training-2/training#/CEM 

Key topics:

European climate policy

- Previous policy measures

- Significance of Fit for 55 program

- Mechanisms for revision and adoption of proposals 

Fit for 55

- Key energy elements

- Energy efficiency provisions

- Targeted sectoral policies

- Social and consumer support

Connect with our guests:

Find Ruud at https://twitter.com/EnergyRuud

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 52 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director of the Energy and Climate Program at Grattan Institute to unpack their new report Towards net zero: Practical policies to reduce industrial emissions.

Luke and Alison discuss the distinct challenges of unlocking emissions reductions in small and large facilities, the opportunity to reform the safeguard mechanism to lower the carbon footprint of big emitters, and how we can leverage state-based energy efficiency schemes to support small and medium manufacturers on their emissions reduction journey.

Mentioned in this episode:

Towards net zero: Practical policies to reduce industrial emissions (Grattan Institute)

https://grattan.edu.au/report/towards-net-zero-practical-policies-to-reduce-industrial-emissions/

First Fuel Episode 51: ‘This won’t hurt a bit’ with Tennant Reed

https://anchor.fm/energy-efficiency-council/episodes/51-This-wont-hurt-a-bit-with-Tennant-Reed-e16e3ab

Key topics:

Industrial emissions reduction

- Broad categories of industrial emissions

- Policy for emissions reduction at different scales

- Merits of national versus state action

Policy options

- Reforming the safeguard mechanism to lower emissions in large industrial emitters

- Opportunities to leverage state based efficiency schemes to support smaller manufacturers

- Importance of sub-metering and energy management systems for energy performance improvement

Connect with our guests:

Find Alison at https://twitter.com/alison_reeve

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 51 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Tennant Reed, Head of Climate, Energy and Environment Policy at Australian Industry Group to discuss their recent paper on the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Luke and Tennant unpack what this and other potential future CBAMs will mean for the Australian economy, and the role a CBAM could play in Australia's own climate policy architecture.

Mentioned in this episode:

Swings and Roundabouts: The unexpected effects of Carbon Border Adjustments on Australia

https://www.aigroup.com.au/news/policies/2021/swings-and-roundabouts-the-unexpected-effects-of-carbon-border-adjustments-on-australia/

Tennant’s report celebration cake

https://twitter.com/TennantReed/status/1427397945553391625

Key topics:

Carbon border adjustment mechanisms

- EU proposed policy

- Rationale and goals of carbon border adjustments

- Design considerations for CBAMs

Potential utility for Australia

- Managing impacts of future carbon reduction policies on trade exposed industries

- Relative merits of free credits versus a CBAM

Connect with our guests:

Find Tennant at https://twitter.com/TennantReed

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts

In Episode 50 of First Fuel, Efficiency Canada’s Executive Director, Corey Diamond, is joined by Luke Menzel, CEO of the Energy Efficiency Council, Australia’s peak body for energy efficiency, energy management and demand response.

Luke and Corey discuss the origins of the Energy Efficiency Council, the challenges facing advocates trying to build an enduring consensus for change, and the areas in which Australia is leading the world on energy efficiency policy.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Green State

https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/green-state

National Australian Built Environment Rating System

https://www.nabers.gov.au

Energy Efficiency and Australia’s Economic Recovery – Summit Highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V40eP1xekgo&t=1s

First Fuel Episode 10: Swiss army knife of stimulus with Michael Liebreich

https://anchor.fm/energy-efficiency-council/episodes/10-Swiss-army-knife-of-stimulus-with-Michael-Liebreich-eg6rvm

Key topics:

Energy and climate advocacy

- Theories of change

- Balancing critique and engagement

- Grounding engagement around sectoral pathways

Building ratings and disclosure

- History of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System

- Role of government procurement and mandatory disclosure in driving adoption

- Impact on abatement and financial savings

Connect with our guest host:

Find Efficiency Canada at https://twitter.com/EfficiencyCAN

Connect with us:

Find Luke at https://twitter.com/lukemenzel

Find out more about the Energy Efficiency Council at www.eec.org.au

Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EECouncil

Email us at [email protected]

To find out how you can listen to an upcoming episode of First Fuel live, visit www.eec.org.au/podcasts