My initiatives and engagements in the electricity sector fall broadly into the following categories.

The DERlab

I have led the design and construction of a $4m power systems testing lab at the ANU. The lab is designed and operated for a wide range of users across industry and R&D.

Please get in touch if you wish to know more and make use of this world class facility! See https://der-lab.net.au/ for details.

This project is a joint initiative of the ANU, ITP Renewables, UNSW Canberra, and evoenergy. It is funded by the ACT Government.

All DERlab posts are here.

Policy

I make regular contributions to the (sadly troubled) Australian energy policy discourse.

All Policy posts here.

Microgrids

I’m a leader of an interdisciplinary team working to bolster the resilience of our electricity supply through the use of microgrid technologies to create a “grid of microgrids”.

All Microgrids posts are here.

Community batteries

I’m part of an interdisciplinary team at the ANU working on the potential for medium scale battery storage, aka Community batteries.

All Community battery posts are here.

Solar for rentals

I founded a social enterprise called SunTenants that makes solar work for rental properties. This was acquired by Solar Analytics in 2019.

All Solar for rentals posts are here.

Solar for apartments

I lead the first deployment of solar + storage into an Australian apartment building in 2015-16, at a housing co-operative in Sydney called Stucco.

All Solar for apartments posts are here.

Latest posts

• Electric Vehicles and The Grid – analysis for DEIP
  In research commissioned by ARENA and the Distributed Energy Integration Program, we’ve analysed the gaps in knowledge and current activities around the integration of electric vehicles (of all sizes) into the electricity system. The executive summary is below and the full report is available here.
• Providing electric vehicle charging at ANU
  As life continues to return to the ANU campus we’re finally able to announce that we’re providing free electric vehicle charging – powered by the DERlab. Vice Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said: “I see this as the first small step, or a precursor to having charging available more broadly on campus. I envision a set… Continue reading →
• Neighbourhood batteries in Australia: Anticipating questions of value conflict and (in)justice
  We have a new paper published today in Energy Research & Social Science. Highlights Energy professionals and citizens hold diverse values on algorithm design, governance and the energy transition generally. Differences in how values are interpreted and which values are emphasised suggest future points of conflict (and injustice). Systemic issues raised both down and upstream… Continue reading →
• Picture story in The Australian
• Examining the vehicle-to-grid niche in Australia through the lens of a trial project
  We have a new paper in the journal Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions. Highlights Vehicle-to-grid is viewed as a sub-niche of electric vehicles and distributed energy. Vehicle-to-grid is in an embryonic stage of development in Australia. Proponents hold strong long-term visions, but are unsure how to get there. Learning has focused on problem solving; other… Continue reading →