The Power of Connections: Navigating Australia's Grid Evolution
Is the future of Australia’s energy system riding on better grid connections?
In this, our final episode of the season, we’re joined by Fatima Bazzi, Head of Customer Connections at Ausgrid, and Stuart Ayres, CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW), to unpack how grid connections are evolving to support a smarter, cleaner energy future.
Together, they explore the big questions: How can the grid keep up with growing demand from EVs, renewables, and data centres? What role does smart planning play in delivering reliable, efficient connections?
They also discuss the challenges of electrifying homes and businesses, how the industry is adapting, and what needs to change to ensure our grid is ready for the future.
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32:11
The Role of Community: Navigating Local Impacts
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.
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25:45
Storage Secrets: Innovations Transforming Energy
Is energy storage the key to unlocking a more reliable and affordable energy future?In this episode, we’re joined by Frank Calabria, CEO and Managing Director of Origin Energy, and Rob Amphlett Lewis, Group Executive Distributed Services & PLUS ES at Ausgrid, to explore how innovations in energy storage are transforming Australia’s energy landscape.Together, they tackle the big questions: How can households and businesses benefit from battery storage? How can storage bring down the cost of the energy transition for everyone?They also discuss the role of retailers, networks, and policymakers in making energy storage more accessible, the emerging non-battery alternatives, and what needs to happen next to unlock the full potential of this game-changing technology.
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46:33
The Opportunity for NSW: Harnessing The Power Of The Grid
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?
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33:21
Electrification of the Home: A Household Revolution
Is moving away from gas the key to a more sustainable and affordable future? In this episode, we’re joined by Brendan French, CEO of Energy Consumers Australia, and Marc England, CEO of Ausgrid, to explore how home electrification is reshaping Australia’s energy landscape and saving households money.
Together, they tackle the big questions: What’s in it for households? Are the long-term savings compelling enough to outweigh upfront costs? Can the grid support widespread electrification? They also discuss the biggest barriers holding households back, the role of industry and networks in driving change, and what needs to happen to accelerate the shift.
About Wired for Good: Conversations for a Better Energy Future
Welcome to Wired for Good: Conversations for a Better Energy Future—the podcast brought to you by Ausgrid that dives into the heart of Australia’s energy transformation. Hosted by electrification advocate Sarah Aubrey, each episode explores how we can build a faster, fairer, and more affordable energy landscape for all Australians.
This series brings together top experts and industry leaders to answer the big questions: What will it take to achieve an energy future that benefits everyone? How can we make this transition both impactful and inclusive?
Join us each month as we uncover the possibilities, spark collaboration, and drive real change—one powerful conversation at a time.
Listen to Wired for Good: Conversations for a Better Energy Future, Lex Fridman Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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