Wired for Good: Conversations for a Better Energy Future

What happens when Australia’s business sector is forced to reckon with the real cost of staying fossil-fuelled?Host Sarah Aubrey is joined by Nigel Lowry (Ausgrid) and Dani Alexander (UNSW Energy Institute) to unpack the high-stakes challenge of electrifying everything from freight and transport to buildings and data centres.They explore the scale of business emissions, the hardest sectors to decarbonise, the race for EV infrastructure, and what oil shocks mean for energy independence - alongside the growing pressure data centres place on the grid and how organisations are tackling their own transition.This episode covers: business emissions; heavy freight electrification; EV infrastructure; diesel dependency; grid capacity; data centres; fleet and building decarbonisation; hydrogen vs electrification; and the policy needed to accelerate change.

In this special two-part episode, host Sarah Aubrey is joined by Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC), for a wide-ranging conversation on the global energy transition and Australia’s critical role in it.The conversation goes global; examining where the world stands against the Paris Agreement targets, which countries are leading and lagging, and the remarkable cost revolution underway in solar and battery technology that is reshaping what is possible. Part 1 covers the role of the ETC and how it drives global change; the state of decarbonisation worldwide; Australia’s coal dependency and what must change; the rapid cost decline of solar and batteries; and why Sunbelt countries like Australia are best placed to lead the next phase of the energy transition.

The DSP represents an incredible collaboration between Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy and Essential Energy to understand how distribution networks can play a bigger role in meeting NSW’s net zero targets. Sarah Aubrey is joined by Ausgrid’s Alida Jansen van Vuuren, Endeavour’s Melissa Doueihi and Essential’s Marc Thiebaut to explore how better use of existing poles, wires and sub-transmission infrastructure can unlock billions in value, defer transmission investment, support local storage, and help deliver a more equitable transition for customers across the state. With insights into community batteries, orchestration of rooftop solar and the future role of networks as system operators, this episode shows why distribution is becoming one of the most important levers in shaping the future grid.

Kicking off a new season and reflecting on what we’ve covered and where we’re going for season 2.Host Sarah Aubrey sits down with Tim Jarratt, Ausgrid’s Group Executive of Market Development and Strategy, touching on the evolution we’ve seen in Australia’s energy landscape and look ahead to some exciting innovations. Tune in to have a look at what’s shaping Australia’s energy future.Season 2 will dive into “Why the Middle Matters”—shining a light on the vital role of local networks and community infrastructure in driving a faster, fairer, and more affordable clean energy transition.In this episode Sarah and Tim dive into innovation at the heart of the grid: bridging access gaps in rooftop solar, scaling community batteries, and boosting collaboration across industry and regulators. Tim also shares global insights on emerging tech—from vehicle-to-grid systems to AI-powered network management.

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.

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?

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 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.