Conference

The impact of the April 28th blackout in the Iberian Peninsula went well beyond its regional scope and immediate economic effects. From the outset, various interest groups began to speculate not so much about the causes of the incident (which remain not fully known), but about the broader lessons that in their view (and interest) should be drawn for the future. These extend beyond Spain and Portugal to the global stage: what kind of electricity system expansion is needed to advance decarbonization while ensuring long-term adequacy and short-term security?

The blackout underscores the urgent need for rigorous, deliberate, and consensus-driven system planning—methodologically, institutionally, and regulatorily. First, in line with ongoing debates on the distribution side, security and network planning must strike the right balance between operational and capital expenditures, between market and regulated frameworks. It also highlights the need to reconsider the European transmission system operator model—or alternatively, to establish independent planning offices—and to strengthen regulators' technical capacity to assess and monitor proposed investments. Without such reforms, Europe risks heightened security vulnerabilities and growing inefficiencies as it advances toward decarbonizing its power systems.

Andre will examine the intersection of the three transformative forces reshaping global markets: the shift away from the rules-based order to transactional relationships, the race for artificial intelligence supremacy, and the AI-energy nexus.Drawing on recent developments from President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs to China's rare earth export controls and the boom in generative AI, the presentation explores how energy security has become the priority but is being implemented differently on a region-by-region basis. His narrative shows that globally integrated supply chains now face the risk of systematic weaponisation that is highly intertwined, such as gas leverage, rare earth restrictions, semiconductor export controls, and tariffs. As global data centre electricity demand surges 165% by 2030, electricity infrastructure bottlenecks are rapidly emerging globally. WA possesses strategic advantages that will position it well to capture significant value in the new energy-intensive geopolitical world.

Meet our moderator & panellists

‍

FLEXIBLE POWER SYSTEMS IN WA

A CONVERSATION

Exploring the technologies, collaborations, and system thinking behind WA’s shift to flexible, low-emissions power

This session brings together leaders delivering and operating flexible, integrated power systems to explain how power systems are evolving to support a stable, low-emissions future—where gas, future fuels, storage and renewables work together. Rather than traditional project updates, speakers will share their views from their delivery experience - how integrated, hybrid solutions are being deployed across mining, regional, and interconnected systems. Hear how collaboration across infrastructure, OEM innovation, and system operations is enabling decarbonised energy at scale—including 24/7 mining, green iron, and Indigenous-led projects. While demand-side flexibility will be acknowledged, the focus is on the technical pathways and system thinking needed to scale renewable electrons and low-emissions molecules across Western Australia.

Join us for insights from our panellists and an interactive discussion on biodiversity, community outcomes, and the future of renewable energy in Australia, hosted by Wenona Hadingham:

• Driving Responsible Renewable Development – Lessons on ESG and supply chains in renewable projects with Dr Mary Stewart

• Protecting Carnaby Cockatoos – Minimising environmental impacts in Western Australia with James Beckett

• Powering Affordability – How energy efficiency in the built environment is making housing more sustainable, equitable, and ESG-aligned with Luke Menzel

• Yackandandah, Victoria – A community-led transition to 100% renewable energy with Dr Juliette Milbank

Join us for an interactive discussion with all speakers on WA's Intelligent Transition: AI, Data Centres & the Renewable Energy Advantage

Join us for a memorable evening as we wine, dine and celebrate the people behind Western Australia’s energy sector. Brought to you by the Australian Institute of Energy Perth and the City of Perth, this is our ninth celebration of excellence.

Venue Details

Venue: Fraser’s Restaurant, Kings Park
Address: 60 Fraser Ave, West Perth, WA 6005
Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Pre-drinks and canapés: 6pm and Dinner: 8pm

This Year's Categories Are:

* Energy Professional of the  Year
* Energy Innovation of the Year
* Young Energy Leader of the Year
* Emerging Star of the Year
* Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Energy

Nominations for the 2025 WA Energy Awards closed on Monday 28 July 2025 at 11:59pm (AWST). For enquiries, please contact Cleta Blakiston at registrationswa@aie.org.au.

Hear an energising presentation from Dr Saul Griffith, followed by a fireside conversation on how demand-side electrification is scaling at pace across household, commercial and industrial sectors.

Drawing on experience from Rewiring America and Rewiring Australia, Saul will spotlight how policy “carrots” like the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have unlocked momentum and accelerated the adoption of clean technologies in community and corporate transitions alike. In WA, efforts in DER and industrial electrification show what’s possible.

This session celebrates those wins and asks: how do we take them further, faster, together?

‍

As global grids struggle to absorb excess renewables and data centres consume more fossil-fuelled electricity, Project Ohm offers a new approach. By deploying small, decentralised AI computing nodes powered by stranded renewable energy, and using AI to schedule workloads based on real-time energy availability. This session will explore how rethinking infrastructure at the intersection of AI and renewables can unlock global benefits, starting at the edge.

Behind the Meter Grid Connected DER Flexibility Grid and Market Innovations: Residential, & Commercial & Industrial
‍

James Choi, former Ambassador to Korea, will provide a customer-focused view on how green iron production drives demand for renewable electricity and green hydrogen and what customers expect. The session will cover key technologies progress and policy developments shaping market trends, with a focus on current energy system and industry implications.

Meet our moderator & panellists

‍

Unlocking the MWs – Achieving decarbonisation priorities as both the distribution and transmission network operator

How relationship building, energy planning and community-focused initiatives can deliver positive outcomes for regional and remote WA.

Share your questions with our speakers

Join us for some insightful presentations from our panellists and an interactive discussion on:

Home Grown – Fuel Switching to Electrified Transport in WA
The technology, process and integration innovations

• Bus and ferry fleet electrification with Lindsey White
• Prime movers, freight trains and hybrid mining trucks with Jan Haak
• Electric mine truck conversions with Clayton Franklin

‍

Meet our moderator & panelists

Australia’s electricity system is increasingly influenced by weather conditions, affecting not only generation and demand but also the real-time operations of the physical network. With the expansion of renewable energy sources, weather variability now plays a direct role in determining system reliability, market performance, and infrastructure integrity.

The Bureau of Meteorology is supporting this transition by providing high-resolution weather data and customised forecast products designed for the energy sector. Serving as a sovereign source of reliable weather intelligence, the Bureau’s contributions are essential to the evolution of Australia’s energy landscape. Through collaborative partnerships, decision-support solutions, and sophisticated observation networks, the Bureau supports the ongoing resilience, efficiency, and adaptability of the nation’s energy system in response to current and future climate challenges

‍

The New Real Time Energy Market commenced on 1 October 2023. Steve’s presentation will reflect on market data two years on, focussing on price outcomes and the influence of large Battery Energy Storage Systems.

Despite differences in market design, market structure, population and geography, there is much that WA can learn from key trends and observations in the National Electricity Market (NEM). Greg Ruthven will share insights from the NEM - in demand, supply, transmission development, distribution grid challenges, and investment finance - and the implications for consumers, investors and policymakers in Western Australia.

Meet our moderator & panelists