Wired for Energy

Join Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford for a special panel discussion with Megan Fisher, CEO of Energy Lab, alongside two breakthrough startups from their portfolio: Dr Thomas Nann, CEO and Co-founder of Allegro Energy, and Nick Hazell, CEO and Founder of Algenie.

Energy Lab has spent nearly 10 years building Australia's premier climate tech accelerator, supporting 280 startup alumni through 10 different programs—from launching ventures to scaling internationally. With 450 mentors, 240 angel investors, and deep connections across the energy industry, they're filling a critical gap in specialist support for founders tackling the hardest problems in decarbonisation.

This episode showcases two companies at different stages of their journey. Allegro Energy has developed a breakthrough microemulsion electrolyte for long-duration flow batteries, solving cost and safety challenges that have plagued competing technologies. After completing commercial trials with Origin Energy and CSIRO, they're scaling towards grid-scale deployments of 100+ megawatts. Algenie is reimagining algae cultivation with helical photo bioreactors made through plastic extrusion—slashing costs so dramatically that gigatons of CO2 could be sequestered into bioplastics, textiles, food, and fuel. Their technology thrives on intermittent renewable energy, turning grid constraints into competitive advantages.

(04:00) Energy Lab overview: programs, mentors, and supporting climate tech founders

(10:00) Allegro Energy's microemulsion electrolyte breakthrough for flow batteries

(18:00) AR Genie's helical photo bioreactor and the gigaton CO2 opportunity

(28:00) International expansion strategies and mentor network value

(38:00) Manufacturing in a renewable world and embracing intermittency

(44:00) Academic to commercial transition and shifting incentives

(50:00) Raising ambition to gigaton scale and making climate impact

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford speak with Alan Hunter, CEO and Founder of NRN (National Renewable Network), and Jess Padman, Director of Energy Products, about their innovative approach to making renewable energy accessible to everyone—without the upfront costs, maintenance headaches, or complexity.

This episode explores how NRN has reimagined solar and battery adoption by removing the financial barrier. Instead of customers buying their own systems, NRN installs, owns, and maintains the assets, then licenses them to energy retailers who use the capacity 24/7 for their hedging strategies. Customers simply get lower energy bills—typically saving $700-$1000 annually—without any capital investment or maintenance risk.

Alan shares his journey from door-to-door solar sales to discovering that the traditional ownership model wasn't working for many Australians. Jess explains the sophisticated digital platform that makes the entire customer journey seamless, from quoting through to installation tracking.

The conversation tackles critical industry challenges: why only 15% of battery owners join VPP programs (even among early adopters), the conflict of interest across stakeholders when customers own their assets, and why $2.3 billion in battery subsidies aren't solving grid problems. Learn how NRN's model eliminates these conflicts by positioning energy retailers as the true customers, how they size systems to maximise retailer profitability while delivering customer savings, and their vision for expanding into heat pumps and EV charging—potentially even vehicle leasing as part of the energy plan.

(05:00) NRN's business model: install, own, maintain, and license to energy retailers

(11:00) Digital platform advantage and keeping customers engaged through simplicity

(18:00) Evolution from residential PPAs and partnering with solar retailers

(24:00) Why only 15% of battery owners join VPPs, and the $2.3 billion subsidy question

(30:00) Working with distribution networks and government partnerships

(35:00) Startup advice and future expansion into heat pumps and EV solutions

(40:00) System sizing strategy and the need for retailer-network collaboration


 

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Dr Greg Trainor speaks with Nigel Barry, Founder and CEO of Intelfuse, about the dramatic transformation of vegetation management from gut instinct to precision data science. 

With over 30 years in the industry, Nigel shares how his experience witnessing the devastating Ash Wednesday fires shaped his career mission to protect communities and infrastructure.

This episode explores how LiDAR technology, digital twins, and AI are revolutionising how utilities manage the single largest cause of power outages. Nigel explains the "vegetation management equation" and why traditional methods had only 42% repeatability—meaning the same tree inspected by 10 people would yield the same result just four times. Learn how Intelfuse is achieving 99.9% repeatability and enabling utilities to know every tree on their network.

The conversation covers Nigel's transformative experience with Florida Power & Light's 35 Mules innovation program, the future of robotic tree cutting, and why viewing trees as assets changes everything. Discover how digital inspection, automated compliance, and continuous drone monitoring are creating a complete "digital line of sight" that's changing utility operations, insurance negotiations, and wildfire prevention strategies across Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

(02:00) From aspiring musician to energy industry leader via Ash Wednesday fires

(04:00) How the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires shaped a 30-year career mission

(06:00) Moving from hourly contracts to performance-based vegetation management

(09:00) Why vegetation management was a "black art" until recently

(11:00) How the 2003 US system blackout drove LiDAR adoption

(13:00) What is LiDAR and how it measures vegetation with 5cm accuracy

(16:00) Vegetation as the single largest cause of outages and highest OPEX item

(19:00) Learning from US wildfire experiences and insurance industry pressure

(21:00) The vegetation management equation: inventory × risk × resources

(24:00) Community dialogue and the challenge of two-way electron flow

(27:00) Digital twins: applying 60 attributes to every tree as an asset

(30:00) How digital proof is transforming utility insurance negotiations

(32:00) Why human inspection has only 42% repeatability versus 99.9% with technology

(36:00) Reimagining 100-year-old processes through University of Melbourne partnership

(39:00) Data quality as the foundation for AI and automation success

(41:00) Florida Power & Light's 35 Mules innovation program experience

(43:00) Future vision: drones with lasers, robotic cutting, and continuous monitoring

(46:00) Complete digital ecosystem: knowing every tree and every action taken

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Dr Greg Trainor and Neil Belford sit down with Charles Cattermole, Principal at Outpost Ventures, for a look into the human side of Australia's energy transition. From his accidental entry into energy through the Australian Navy to roles at Green Sync and Energy Australia, Charles shares hard-won insights about scaling innovation within large utilities and the critical importance of people over technology in driving change.

The conversation explores the challenges of virtual power plants, the complexity of Australia's energy markets, and why trust remains the biggest barrier to customer adoption of interactive energy products. Charles reveals lessons from successfully scaling a pilot from 20,000 to 250,000 customers, discusses the misalignment between startup accelerators and utility needs, and shares his vision for securitising distributed energy resources like traditional power stations.

About Charles:
Charles Cattermole is a technical and commercial advisor with over 13 years of experience in the energy sector. Over this period, Charles' experience has ranged from energy management organisations, utilities such as EnergyAustralia and Ausnet, as well as technology companies like GreenSync, Evergen, and AMP X. Charles is also the former treasurer of the Australian Institute of Energy and focuses on helping organisations commercialise products, projects, and services that focus on the energy transition.

(01:00) Accidental entry into energy via the Australian Navy

(02:00) Early roles in energy auditing and management

(03:00) Green Sync, Energy Australia and scaling innovation

(04:00) Success stories: 20,000 to 250,000 customers

(05:00) Learning from different industry perspectives

(06:00) Energy transition is about people, not technology

(08:00) Digital natives vs traditional leadership challenges

(10:00) Virtual power plants definition and customer trust

(12:00) Community energy models and market design constraints

(14:00) Body corporate and apartment building challenges

(15:00) Risk management frameworks blocking innovation

(17:00) Skills shortage and hiring outside the industry

(19:00) Importance of customer experience for engineers

(20:00) Simple solutions: the IT pager system success story

(22:00) Vendor relationships and trust in small industry

(23:00) Marvel at electricity reliability despite complexity

(25:00) Startup ecosystem and misaligned utility pilots

(27:00) Is Australia's three-tier market system outdated?

(29:00) Financial risk management for new market entrants

(31:00) Vision for securitising distributed energy portfolios

(33:00) Career advice: purpose-driven vs career-driven approaches

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

On this week's episode, we have Ryan Wavish, GM of Innovation at Engie Australia, to explore how one of the world's largest energy companies is navigating Australia's unique energy transition challenges. From his early days at boutique consultancy Marshman Hill working with ARENA's A-Lab initiative to leading Engie's ambitious 500MW virtual power plant vision by 2030, Ryan shares insights into building customer trust, managing distributed energy resources, and creating the "business model of the future" for energy retailers.

(01:00) Working at global energy company Engie

(03:00) Getting into renewables after Copenhagen

(04:00) Marshman Hill and ARENA's A-Lab initiative

(07:00) GM Innovation role and future business models

(09:00) Customer flexibility and asset control

(11:00) Building trust with energy customers

(12:00) Global collaboration across Engie businesses

(15:00) Technology platforms and business systems

(18:00) Engie's value and sustainability philosophy

(21:00) ARENA VPP trial growth to 50MW

(24:00) Customer lessons and price sensitivity

(26:00) Are Australia's energy markets too complex?

(28:00) Role of community energy models

(29:00) Simplifying energy through mobile apps

(31:00) Career advice for energy newcomers

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Join Dr Greg Trainor as he sits down with Network Edge founders Ben Meek and Neil Belford to announce the launch of the Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform. This special episode explores how Network Edge is applying lessons learned from building energy transition businesses in the US market to create collaborative digital solutions for Australia's energy transformation.

The conversation covers the development of Network Edge's U30 framework - a comprehensive strategy for utility digitalisation that reimagines how electricity networks operate in a world of distributed energy resources. Ben and Neil discuss their vision for open source collaboration in the energy sector, drawing inspiration from successful US industry forums and the need for better coordination between utilities, regulators, community groups, and technology providers.

Key topics include the emergence of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the challenge of managing two-way energy flows from 4 million Australian solar installations, and how local government can play a bigger role in the energy transition. The episode also reveals plans for a distributed energy management forum and explains how the podcast serves as an anchor for bringing together diverse voices across the energy ecosystem.

(04:00) Background on Network Edge and US energy market experience

(07:00) Digitisation challenges and 4 million Australian solar installations

(09:00) Network Edge advisory work with electric operators and regulation

(11:00) US energy market collaboration models and industry forums

(14:00) Launch of Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform

(16:00) Open source approach inspired by tech giants and collaboration

(17:00) Podcast as central anchor for knowledge sharing ecosystem

(20:00) U30 framework: digitalising utilities and operational technology

(22:00) Making U30 framework available as open source resource

(24:00) Local government propensity modelling project with Macquarie University

(25:00) Distributed energy management forum participants and value

(27:00) Distribution System Operators vs current network companies

(30:00) Platform governance, membership and international scope

(32:00) Community energy templates and global best practices

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Join hosts Dr Greg Trainor and Neil Belford as they sit down with Luc van Duinen, VPP Lead at Dame Technologies, for a comprehensive exploration of virtual power plants from a global perspective. From his early days at Engie in the Netherlands working with potato farmers and their "Ferrari" batteries to building VPP platforms across multiple Australian energy companies, Luc shares valuable insights into the evolution of distributed energy management.

The conversation covers the stark differences between European and Australian energy markets, the challenges of customer education versus business engagement, and why controllable load represents massive untapped potential.

About Luc:
As a mechanical engineer specialised in sustainable energy technologies, Luc van Duinen has led the development of multiple Virtual Power Plant (VPP) products for both commercial & industrial (C&I) and residential sectors. Luc has managed the end-to-end development of one of the first VPPs to successfully provide fast ancillary services in Europe, and is passionate about pioneering innovative VPP business models.

(01:00) Early career at Engie Netherlands and startup incubation
(03:00) World Cup halftime and coal power station analogy
(05:00) Differences between European and Australian energy markets
(07:00) Regulatory approaches: Europe vs Australia
(08:00) Working across multiple Australian VPP projects
(10:00) Business vs residential VPP value proposition
(12:00) Platform building and asset type diversification
(14:00) Customer control and the virtual red button
(15:00) VPP impact on market development and renewables
(16:00) Grid frequency control and FCAS pricing trends
(17:00) EV integration and behavioural charging patterns
(18:00) Current role at Dame Technologies and platform development
(19:00) AI applications in price forecasting and customer advice
(21:00) Trading models and upcoming regulatory changes
(22:00) Technology vs change management balance
(25:00) Talent and skills development for VPP operations
(26:00) Success stories: potato farmers and Ferrari batteries
(28:00) Market complexity and compliance challenges
(30:00) Untapped flexibility potential and low-hanging fruit
(31:00) Career advice: taking ownership and pushing boundaries

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Join hosts Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford as they chat with Andy McCarthy, founder and former CEO of Gippsland Solar, for an inspiring conversation about building Australia's renewable energy future from the heart of coal country. Andy shares his remarkable journey from a troubled teen with ADHD to becoming a solar industry pioneer, establishing his company in the Latrobe Valley surrounded by coal-fired power stations and eventually selling to RACV Solar.

(02:00) Early life struggles and discovering solar through battery work
(05:00) Moving to Latrobe Valley and starting Gippsland Solar
(07:00) Typical customers and hiding solar panels from neighbours
(09:00) Hazelwood closure and community attitude changes
(11:00) Building bridges and changing approaches to coal communities
(14:00) Industry challenges: race to the bottom vs long-term value
(17:00) Battery rebates and sustainable industry development
(20:00) Community energy models and behind-the-meter solutions
(22:00) Commercial solar uptake and hospital case study
(25:00) Electric vehicle adoption and early charging infrastructure
(29:00) Australia's world-leading solar success factors
(32:00) Manufacturing opportunities lost and energy security
(35:00) RACV acquisition and Gen-tailer business models
(37:00) Advice for renewable energy entrepreneurs
(39:00) Customer engagement and listening to needs
(41:00) Next chapter: CEP Energy and embedded networks

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford sit down with Kevin Hart, CEO of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association, to explore the evolving landscape of wind power in Aotearoa. Kevin shares his remarkable journey from international judo competitor to renewable energy leader, before diving into the challenges and opportunities facing the sector—from global supply chain constraints and complex regulation to the huge potential of offshore wind. The conversation unpacks the critical role of firming, energy storage, and community involvement in building a secure, reliable future for New Zealand’s energy grid. It's a timely discussion for anyone interested in the transition to clean energy, leadership in action, and what it really takes to scale renewables.

(01:35) Kevin Hart’s journey from international judo to energy leadership

(03:46) Inside the New Zealand Wind Energy Association

(06:33) Wind energy today: challenges, capacity goals, and grid impact

(15:31) Global supply chain pressures and regulatory complexity

(17:46) What’s next: the future of wind energy in New Zealand

(20:48) Community buy-in and the promise of offshore wind

(34:12) The firming gap: batteries, storage and the role of tech

(38:20) Kevin’s outlook: optimism and opportunity on the horizon

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io

In this episode of the Wired for Energy podcast, hosts Dr. Greg Trainor and Neil Belford sit down with Bruce Thompson, Managing Director of Thompillai. They chat about how renewable energy is being rolled out across Australia, the tricky bits of our energy systems, and Bruce’s early work with community energy projects. From the ups and downs of renewables to the future of smart grids, Bruce shares stories from his long career and gives us a look at where energy policy might be headed.

(01:47) Bruce Thompson's Early Career and Interests

(02:31) The Evolution of Renewable Energy

(05:28) Community Energy Initiatives

(15:04) Green Sync and Virtual Power Plants

(20:46) Current Energy Challenges and Solutions

(22:45) Scaling Up Solar Systems

(23:07) Challenges in Standardising Smart Technology

(23:39) Telecommunications vs. Energy Rollout

(24:16) Diverse Equipment and Installation Complexities

(24:55) Current Orchestration and Future Potential

(26:11) Implementing Common Smart Inverter Protocol

(29:03) Dynamic Operating Envelopes and Market Formation

(33:18) Policy Coordination and Technical Work Streams

(40:23) Future-Proofing Solar and Embracing Electrification

(42:21) Concluding Thoughts and Future Prospects

About Bruce

Bruce has spent over 20 years in scaling small scale renewable energy technologies working at the intersection  of technology, commercial, social, policy to build practical and scalable responses to climate change.

Bruce spent 12 years with the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, establishing and leading initiatives including the EcoSmart Electricians training program, Moreland Solar City, ZeroNet Energy Town and the Positive Charge social enterprise to engage community, industry and government in effective and efficient models to transform our energy sector.

He was awarded the Brian Robinson Foundation Fellowship in 2007 for young environmental leadership and travelled to Europe to research community based decentralised energy and low-income energy efficiency programs

Bruce joined GreenSync in 2016 to support the company's strategic development with executive responsibility for commercial, operations, partnerships and industry engagement. He was instrumental in establishing the deX technology to enable customer energy resources (CER) to better connect to the grid, providing value and avoiding risks. Bruce stepped down as the CEO in 2023 following the successful transition of the company to its new ownership structure. 

Bruce currently provides strategic advisory service to clients across government, corporate and the not-for-profit sector. He was invited to join ARENA’s Advisory Panel in 2023 and was appointed to the Federal Government’s Consumer Energy Taskforce in early 2024. Bruce also contributes to a number of NGOs and is currently a Board Director for Environment Victoria.

The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker during this podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer or any other organization they may be affiliated with.

Our guest shares personal experiences and insights based on their individual journey, and listeners should understand that these reflections are meant for informational purposes only.
Any advice or opinions presented in this podcast should not be construed as professional guidance, and individuals are encouraged to seek their own counsel regarding their specific situations.

Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.

To find more information about the energy transition visit - www.networkedge.io