In this episode of Wired For Energy, Greg Trainor and Neil Belford sit down with Mark Vincent, Chief Operating Officer at South Australian Power Networks. From facing down potential statewide blackouts to pioneering world-first programs like Flexible Exports, Mark takes us inside the bold thinking, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and technical innovation that's reshaping South Australia's energy landscape. Hear how SA Power Networks tackled voltage challenges, built a virtual power plant from scratch, and helped lead the global conversation on distributed energy. If you're curious about how to turn crisis into innovation—and how a utility can become a tech leader—this is a must-listen.
In this episode of Wired For Energy, Greg Trainor and Neil Belford sit down with Mark Vincent, Chief Operating Officer at South Australian Power Networks. From facing down potential statewide blackouts to pioneering world-first programs like Flexible Exports, Mark takes us inside the bold thinking, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and technical innovation that's reshaping South Australia's energy landscape. Hear how SA Power Networks tackled voltage challenges, built a virtual power plant from scratch, and helped lead the global conversation on distributed energy. If you're curious about how to turn crisis into innovation—and how a utility can become a tech leader—this is a must-listen.
(02:45) How innovation started at SA Power Networks (with help from the regulator)
(04:00) The rise of residential solar and the need for Flexible Exports
(06:30) Collaboration with AEMO, OEMs, and regulators to prevent another state blackout
(09:00) Convincing the board and stakeholders innovation was essential
(10:15) Building one of the world’s first automation systems with ADMS
(14:00) How voltage control helped avoid state blackouts
(6:30) Raising voltage across the network—simple idea, powerful results
(8:00) South Australia's leadership in renewables and its impact on the grid
(21:00) When rooftop solar became a serious network issue
(23:00) Virtual Power Plants and the lesson of unexpected load spikes
(25:30) Why dynamic operating envelopes are essential for the grid’s future
(28:30) The importance of guardrails, not control, in distributed energy
(30:00) Why South Australia led the world in integrating renewables
(32:00) Attracting and retaining talent through purpose and impact
(34:00) How customer engagement reshaped SA Power Networks
(36:00) Why trials should always be designed with scale in mind
(37:00) A missed opportunity: the future subdivision that never happened
(39:00) Mark’s career advice: chase opportunities, get broad, and talk to people
Wired For Energy is a production of Network Edge, with episodes produced and edited by Posterboy Media.
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