Is the future of Australia’s energy system riding on better grid connections?

In this, our final episode of the season, we’re joined by Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections at Ausgrid, and Stuart Ayres, CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW), to unpack how grid connections are evolving to support a smarter, cleaner energy future.

Together, they explore the big questions: How can the grid keep up with growing demand from EVs, renewables, and data centres? What role does smart planning play in delivering reliable, efficient connections?

They also discuss the challenges of electrifying homes and businesses, how the industry is adapting, and what needs to change to ensure our grid is ready for the future. 

What does it take to build real community trust in the energy transition?

In this episode, host Sarah Aubrey is joined by Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority and former NSW Energy Minister, and Kelly Wood, Group Executive for Transmission Development & Growth at Ausgrid to unpack what’s working, and what initiatives are being explored when it comes to community benefits of the energy transition.

They explore how to build genuine trust, the importance of consultation, and how infrastructure can be delivered with communities, not to them. From sharing benefits to shifting mindsets, this episode is all about making the transition faster, fairer and more inclusive.

Is energy storage the key to unlocking a more reliable and affordable energy future?

In this episode, we’re joined by Frank Calabria, CEO and Managing Director of Origin Energy, and Rob Amphlett Lewis, Group Executive Distributed Services & PLUS ES at Ausgrid, to explore how innovations in energy storage are transforming Australia’s energy landscape.

Together, they tackle the big questions: How can households and businesses benefit from battery storage? How can storage bring down the cost of the energy transition for everyone?

They also discuss the role of retailers, networks, and policymakers in making energy storage more accessible, the emerging non-battery alternatives, and what needs to happen next to unlock the full potential of this game-changing technology.

Could unlocking distribution networks be the key to a faster, more affordable energy transition?

In this episode, Dom van den Berg, CEO of Energy Networks Australia, and Tim Jarratt, Group Executive – Market Development and Strategy at Ausgrid, explore how Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) can help accelerate the shift to clean energy.



Together, they tackle the big questions: How can smarter use of existing infrastructure cut costs for consumers? What’s holding networks back? And what needs to change to make the transition more accessible for everyone?

Is moving away from gas the key to a more sustainable and  affordable future? In this episode, we’re joined by Brendan French, CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, and Marc England, CEO of Ausgrid, to explore how home electrification is reshaping Australia’s energy landscape and saving households money.



Together, they tackle the big questions: What’s in it for households? Are the long-term savings compelling enough to outweigh upfront costs? Can the grid support widespread electrification? They also discuss the biggest barriers holding households back, the role of industry and networks in driving change, and what needs to happen to accelerate the shift.

Are EVs the key to reducing energy costs and cutting emissions in Australia? In this episode, we’re joined by Doug McNamee, Founder and CEO of JOLT, and Rob Amphlett Lewis, Group Executive - Distributed Services & PLUS ES at Ausgrid, to unpack the challenges and opportunities in the EV space.



Together, they tackle the pressing questions: Why has the EV transition slowed in Australia? Is our grid ready to handle the surge in EV adoption? What’s being done to make EV charging more accessible at home and beyond? They also explore Ausgrid’s role in driving the shift towards an electric future and discuss the pivotal infrastructure needed to support widespread EV uptake.

How can we integrate renewables into the grid at lightning speed? In this episode, we’re joined by Junayd Hollis, Group Executive - Customer, Assets & Digital at Ausgrid, and Eamon Waterford, CEO of the Committee for Sydney, to explore strategies for fast-tracking the energy transition.

Together, they dive into the big questions: Are we doing enough to drive change? How can households and businesses play a bigger role? What lessons can we learn from other regions further along their renewable journey? They also discuss the potential of unlocking rooftop solar, the balance between large-scale and local generation, and whether a focus on distribution networks could help us speed up progress while reducing costs.

How can energy networks evolve to truly meet customer needs and drive a fairer, faster energy transition? Join us as we chat with Gavin Dufty, consumer advocate and National Director of Energy Policy and Research at St Vincent de Paul Society, and Alida Jansen van Vuuren, Head of DSO at Ausgrid. Together, they dive into reshaping energy pricing, enhancing customer flexibility, and transforming networks to create an energy future that benefits everyone.