The 2024 Foresighting Forum, hosted at the Aerial UTS Function Centre in Sydney on the 14-15 February, brought together consumer advocates, government and industry, to consider how we can deliver an energy system that benefits everyone.
This year’s program featured keynote speakers Audrey Zibelman (Zibelman Energy Advisors) and Michael Colgrove (Energy Trust of Oregon), an interactive session encouraging attendees to “don the consumer hat” by exploring barriers to consumers participating in the energy transition, as well as the announcement of the 2024 Gill Owen Scholar, Madison Sturgess (Original Power).
Catch up on all the panel sessions and keynote speeches from the 2024 Foresighting Forum, below!
Forum Highlights
Get an insight into what it’s like to attend the Forum in our Highlights video.
Fireside Chat: Audrey Zibelman (Zibelman Energy Advisors)
Keynote Address: Michael Colgrove (Energy Trust of Oregon)
View Michael’s presentation here.
Fireside Chat: Michael Colgrove (Energy Trust of Oregon) and Luke Menzel (Energy Efficiency Council)
Opening Remarks
Panel Sessions: Day One
Over the two-day event, the 2024 Foresighting Forum hosted five panel discussions on topics ranging from community energy resilience in the face of extreme weather, to empowering consumers to understand the information, services and tools available to them in the energy transition. Watch the session recordings below.
The benefits and barriers to electrification for consumers
A successful energy transition will ensure that all consumers can benefit from going all-electric and that no one is left behind. This session focused on the challenges and opportunities of electrification and how we can ensure all Australians have the ability and agency to make the switch.
Speakers:
- Kate Minter, Rewiring Australia
- Evette Smeathers, Horizon Power
- Damian Sullivan, Brotherhood of St. Laurence
- Deborah Fewster, Victorian Council of Social Service (Chair)
Community energy resilience
Increasing extreme weather is changing reliance on energy as an essential service while also threatening to disrupt consumers’ access to it. This is felt perhaps most keenly by those living in remote or regional areas. This session focused on what energy resilience looks like for different communities and how we can empower and support communities to develop it.
Speakers:
- Heather Smith, Coalition for Community Energy
- Scott Dwyer, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures
- Michael Klerck, Tangentyere Council
- Rob McLeod, Renew
- Jill Cainey, Erne Energy (Chair)
Reflections and conclusions (Day One)
Moderated by Rick Morton, with:
- Ron Ben-David, Monash University
- Alison Reeve, Grattan Institute
Panel Sessions: Day Two
Empowering and supporting consumers in the energy transition
This session featured Australian consumer advocates and community leaders in a discussion about how communities are leading initiatives to empower and support consumers to understand the information, services, and tools available to them, as well as the help consumers need to make the transition.
Speakers:
- Erin Chancellor, ACT Government
- Asha Ramzan, Sydney Community Forum
- Simon Moore, Business NSW
- Madison Sturgess, Original Power
- Donna Luckman, Merri-bek City Council (Chair)
Where to from here?
Moderated by Rick Morton, with:
- Ron Ben-David, Monash University
- Alison Reeve, Grattan Institute
- Michael Colgrove, Energy Trust of Oregon
- Brian Spak, Energy Consumers Australia
Insights and reflections
Find out what it’s like to attend the Foresighting Forum, from the attendees themselves!
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Angela Maguire (event support – The Gap Consultancy), Phil Bourne (videography/video editing), Michael Blyde (photography), and Rick Morton (MC/Moderator).