In a first for Australia, over 35 industry partners will work together to explore a future vision for Australia’s electricity system. This vision will help guide the expected $240 billion investment required by the sector over the next 20 years.

The partners, including electricity generators, distributors, transmission service providers, retailers, regulators, government, consumer and environment groups, will collaborate over the next twelve to eighteen months as part of the CSIRO facilitated Future Grid Forum.

CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship director Dr Alex Wonhas says the forum will play an important part in providing guidance for Australia’s electricity sector to shape its future for the 21st century.

“The sector recognised that a whole of system approach was required and that there is a need to develop a common view of the key options available. We have a huge energy transformation ahead of us.

”The industry will be very different in 50 years time. This forum aims to inform the decisions we need to make today that will shape Australia’s future electricity supply, prices, and the industry’s carbon emissions.”

This project builds on past forums, including energy futures, future fuels and sustainable aviation fuels; all based on CSIRO’s proven forum methodology that centres on collaboration with industry, consumers and other stakeholders to develop a clear road map for the future of energy in Australia.

The Forum will draw on the expertise of forum participants and use sophisticated economic and energy market modelling to map out future scenarios.

The Forum process will complement the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper and reviews carried out by the Australian Energy Market Commission and the Productivity Commission.

Australia’s Future Grid Forum partners include:

AGL
Alstom
AmpControl Group
AMIRA International
Aurora Energy
Ausgrid
Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Australian Energy Regulator (AER)
Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics
CitiPower/Powercor
Clean Energy Council
ClimateWorks Australia
Commonwealth Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
Energex
Energy Retailer’s Association of Australia (ERAA)
Energy Supply Association of Australia (ESAA)
Ergon Energy
General Electric (GE)
Grattan Institute
GridAustralia
Hydro Tasmania
Landis+Gyr
Origin Energy
Queensland Department of Energy and Water Supply
SA Power Networks
Siemens
Smart Grid Australia
South Australian Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy
Stanwell Corporation
Stockland
Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
The Climate Institute
Total Environment Centre
Victorian State Government Department of Primary Industries
Western Power