Recording available: Public lecture: What’s happening in Australia’s energy markets?
ABOUT
What’s happening in Australia’s energy markets, and when will it end?
The last few months have seen unprecedented domestic natural gas prices that have followed dramatic price rises in internationally traded oil and coal. At the same time, some of our generation assets were flooded or offline, and some have been accused of improper behaviour. The entire National Electricity Market (NEM) was suspended for the first time since it was established.
But which of these factors – or others – really drove the suspension of the NEM? How long will they remain in place? What are the implications for energy consumers? And what changes to our energy markets are needed to relieve these pressures and allow us to continue to decarbonise?
The Melbourne Energy Institute hosted a public discussion centred on recent events, the situation now, and possible future directions for Australian energy markets. Discussion was moderated by Senior Research Fellow Dr Sangeetha Chandrashekeran, and featured MEI Director Professor Michael Brear alongside experts Mr Matthew Warren, Principal of Boardroom Energy, and Ms Lynne Gallagher, CEO of Energy Consumers Australia.
SLIDES & RECORDING
PANELLISTS
Professor Michael Brear
Director
Melbourne Energy Institute, University of Melbourne
Professor Michael Brear is a mechanical engineer and the Director of the Melbourne Energy Institute (MEI) at the University of Melbourne. MEI facilitates the University’s research on the technical, economic, environmental and social impacts of energy. Michael is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, the Combustion Institute, Engineers Australia and the Australian Institute of Energy. He previously established the University’s multi-disciplinary degree, the Master of Energy Systems. Prior to commencing at the University of Melbourne, Michael worked for ICI Australia (now Orica), and then undertook graduate studies at Cambridge University and post-doctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mr Matthew Warren
Principal
Boardroom Energy
Mr Matthew Warren has spent the past 25 years working inside Australia’s energy and environmental policy debates. He has worked for renewables, coal and everything in between. Matthew has been Chief Executive of the Australian Energy Council, Energy Supply Association of Australia and the Clean Energy Council. He is author of the Walkley nominated book Blackout – How is Australia running out of energy? He was also the environment writer for The Australian and has worked for the New South Wales Minerals Council. A professional journalist and economist, he is a regular contributor on energy policy and climate change for the Australian Financial Review.
Ms Lynne Gallagher
Chief Executive Officer
Energy Consumers Australia
Ms Lynne Gallagher is the Chief Executive Officer of Energy Consumers Australia (ECA). She is an economist/econometrician by qualification and has substantial experience in economic modelling and policy reform processes, including working with the Council of Australian Governments, and in strategic issues management in the corporate sector. Her career has seen her spend 15 years in a technical environment, followed by 12 years in practice and as an adviser. Prior to her appointment as ECA's Director of Research, Lynne was Executive Director, Industry Development at Energy Networks Australia. Lynne brings to ECA strong insights, a strategic focus and a consumer advocacy perspective which has been honed from her work with network businesses, retailers and regulators.
MODERATOR
Dr Sangeetha Chandrashekeran
Senior Research Fellow
University of Melbourne and ARC Life Course Centre
Dr Sangeetha Chandrashekeran is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and the Australian Research Council Life Course Centre. Sangeetha has researched extensively on energy with a focus on changing state and market relations, equity dimensions and environmental outcomes. Prior to undertaking her PhD, Sangeetha worked in climate change and energy policy.