Join Dr Greg Trainor as he sits down with Network Edge founders Ben Meek and Neil Belford to announce the launch of the Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform. This special episode explores how Network Edge is applying lessons learned from building energy transition businesses in the US market to create collaborative digital solutions for Australia's energy transformation. The conversation covers the development of Network Edge's U30 framework - a comprehensive strategy for utility digitalisation that reimagines how electricity networks operate in a world of distributed energy resources. Ben and Neil discuss their vision for open source collaboration in the energy sector, drawing inspiration from successful US industry forums and the need for better coordination between utilities, regulators, community groups, and technology providers. Key topics include the emergence of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the challenge of managing two-way energy flows from 4 million Australian solar installations, and how local government can play a bigger role in the energy transition. The episode also reveals plans for a distributed energy management forum and explains how the podcast serves as an anchor for bringing together diverse voices across the energy ecosystem.
Join Dr Greg Trainor as he sits down with Network Edge founders Ben Meek and Neil Belford to announce the launch of the Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform. This special episode explores how Network Edge is applying lessons learned from building energy transition businesses in the US market to create collaborative digital solutions for Australia's energy transformation.
The conversation covers the development of Network Edge's U30 framework - a comprehensive strategy for utility digitalisation that reimagines how electricity networks operate in a world of distributed energy resources. Ben and Neil discuss their vision for open source collaboration in the energy sector, drawing inspiration from successful US industry forums and the need for better coordination between utilities, regulators, community groups, and technology providers.
Key topics include the emergence of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the challenge of managing two-way energy flows from 4 million Australian solar installations, and how local government can play a bigger role in the energy transition. The episode also reveals plans for a distributed energy management forum and explains how the podcast serves as an anchor for bringing together diverse voices across the energy ecosystem.
(04:00) Background on Network Edge and US energy market experience
(07:00) Digitisation challenges and 4 million Australian solar installations
(09:00) Network Edge advisory work with electric operators and regulation
(11:00) US energy market collaboration models and industry forums
(14:00) Launch of Wired for Energy Open Source Community Platform
(16:00) Open source approach inspired by tech giants and collaboration
(17:00) Podcast as central anchor for knowledge sharing ecosystem
(20:00) U30 framework: digitalising utilities and operational technology
(22:00) Making U30 framework available as open source resource
(24:00) Local government propensity modelling project with Macquarie University
(25:00) Distributed energy management forum participants and value
(27:00) Distribution System Operators vs current network companies
(30:00) Platform governance, membership and international scope
(32:00) Community energy templates and global best practices