A new research project is putting ‘virtual energy networks’ for households and businesses to the test. Virtual energy networks (VENs) allow consumers to buy solar energy directly from their neighbours, or sell excess rooftop solar to someone across town, or even interstate, all through an online platform. VENs are already used by some councils, schools and businesses with multiple sites, for instance to share solar generated on a community centre with an office or depots. But most energy retailers haven’t extended this system to households. Dr Andrea La Nauze, an Associate Professor of Economics at Deakin University, is leading a study to look at how the use of VENs can be extended, and is now recruiting participants for the trial.

If you’d like to take part in the virtual energy network study, you can email the team at ven@deakin.edu.au or just search “Deakin Virtual Energy Network” in your browser.

Trading solar: buying and selling solar power with neighbours and friends

In this episode, we bring you the highlights from our Investment conference: Markets, MAGA and Megatrends. Covering topics such as:

-	Macro-economics, geopolitics and deglobalisation
-	Strategic asset allocation powered by demographics
-	How does USS, one of the UK’s largest pension funds integrates climate and demographics into its investment strategy
-	Investing in the energy transition

We chat to guests and speakers to bring you the highlights of the conference, their key takeaways and new investment ideas. 


S6 Ep.23: Markets, MAGA and Megatrends

A growing movement of Australian farmers is stepping up to tackle climate change head-on. Climate change is already hitting agriculture hard with drought, floods, and extreme weather costing farmers tens of thousands each year. Born from a meeting of 30 frustrated farmers tired of being ignored about climate change a decade ago, Farmers for Climate Action has grown into a national force representing more than 8,000 farmers committed to climate solutions. From carbon-neutral beef production to farmers installing solar and batteries to reduce emissions and take pressure off the grid, renewables present an opportunity for regional communities, not just for cutting emissions and costs, but for boosting farm incomes, strengthening local economies, and creating a more equitable energy future. Natalie Collard is the CEO of Farmers for Climate Action.

The future of farming - how renewables can reshape agriculture

In this first episode of a four-part special podcast series with Siemens, Chiranjib Sengupta sat down with John Nixon, Vice President for Global Strategy in Energy, Chemicals, and Infrastructure, and Mike Houghton, Global Head of Sales at Siemens Digital Industries Software, to discuss how incorporating digital twins into oil and gas operations can unlock unique efficiencies and also make the industry more sustainable. As the global energy infrastructure landscape faces up to the realities of ageing assets, decarbonisation and the urgent need for digitalisation, leaders across energy, chemicals, and urban systems are confronting a main challenge: how to make infrastructure more intelligent, adaptive, and resilient. John and Mike discuss how the fusion of digital twins, artificial intelligence, and industrial software is changing the way energy infrastructure is designed, operated, and optimised. They explore how digital twins are evolving into living models that replicate real-time conditions, enabling predictive maintenance, risk mitigation, and system-wide efficiency at unprecedented levels. They also highlight how at Siemens, these capabilities are no longer experimental, but an essential part of their portfolio as industrial operators seek to future-proof assets against climate disruption, resource constraints, and operational efficiency.

Siemens: pioneering intelligent operations with digital twins

New modelling from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis shows we’ve been looking for solutions to rising electricity prices in the wrong places. The real key to slashing household energy bills isn’t more power plants or political debate over gas vs renewables. And it’s not one-off bill rebates either. It’s targeted energy upgrades in our homes. Efficient electric appliances, rooftop solar, home batteries, and thermal upgrades could slash bills by 80 to 90%, with the biggest savings in cities like Sydney. These upgrades not only reduce household energy use and bills but also cut demand on the broader grid, benefiting everyone by lowering peak demand and gas reliance. But what will it take to make these savings a reality? Jay Gordon is an Energy Finance Analyst at IEEFA and author of the new report.

We’ve been trying to fix rising electricity prices the wrong way

Tonight, Wednesday, July 30th, at 6 pm on The Brian Crombie Hour I interview ✅ Charles St-Arnaud. ALL my 🎤 podcasts and 🎦 video casts can be accessed any time on my web site https://briancrombie.com which holds repository of all my shows. 📌 Charles St-Arnaud, chief economist at Alberta Central credit union, brings over 17 years of experience in public and private sector economics across Canada and globally, with roles in New York, London, and Hong Kong. During the global financial crisis, he advised top officials at the Department of Finance in Ottawa and has also held positions at the Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley. During our discussion, St-Arnaud explores Alberta’s separatist sentiment, drawing comparisons to Quebec and Brexit. He argues Alberta’s push is driven more by economic frustration than cultural identity, much like Brexit. He warns, however, that Alberta may be overlooking how much the global energy landscape has shifted since the early 2010s—making another boom like 2010 unlikely. 

📺 Videos: https://briancrombie.com/video-gallery
🎧 Podcasts: https://briancrombie.com/podcasts-the-brian-crombie-hour
📻 The Brian Crombie Hour airs nightly at 6 PM on Sauga960AM
📌 Subscribe to Brian’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/2Oioec8

#briancrombie #AlbertaEconomy #CharlesStArnaud #CanadaPolitics #EnergyTransition #BrexitParallels #WesternAlienation #EconomicPolicy

Charles St-Arnaud | Alberta Separation

Tonight, Wednesday, July 30th, at 6 pm on The Brian Crombie Hour I close the show with some of my own thoughts on ✅ separation desires in Quebec, Brexit, Alberta and even Peel. ALL my 🎤 podcasts and 🎦 video casts can be accessed any time on my web site https://briancrombie.com which holds repository of all my shows.

📺 Videos: https://briancrombie.com/video-gallery
🎧 Podcasts: https://briancrombie.com/podcasts-the-brian-crombie-hour
📻 The Brian Crombie Hour airs nightly at 6 PM on Sauga960AM
📌 Subscribe to Brian’s YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/2Oioec8

#briancrombie #AlbertaEconomy #CanadaPolitics #EnergyTransition #BrexitParallels #WesternAlienation #EconomicPolicy #Alberta

Brian Crombie | Alberta

In a new podcast series that spotlights Asia's clean energy pioneers, Eco-Business spoke to Assaad Razzouk, chief executive of Singapore-headquartered Gurin Energy, about the challenges and opportunities of the renewables sector in Asia in uncertain times.

Tune in as we discuss:

* From finance to carbon markets to renewables: Razzouk's career path
* Scaling renewables and the localisation imperative
* Where are the opportunities in Southeast Asia?
* Intermittency and planting wind farms in nature reserves
* "Winning" the conversation on renewables in the Trump 2.0 era
* China, India and the growth trajectory for clean energy
* Advice for a new generation of clean energy entrepreneurs

Power and economic strength are now determined by who can harness solar and batteries fastest: Assaad Razzouk

In this episode, Blooh Solution explores hydrogen’s vital role in the global energy transition. Learn how hydrogen fuels industries, powers vehicles, and stores renewable energy, bridging the gap to a carbon-free future. Discover the challenges, innovations, and opportunities shaping a sustainable, hydrogen-powered world.

Blooh Solution Talks About Hydrogen’s Role in the Global Energy Transition

Dieser Podcast von BLOOH Solution beleuchtet, wie nachhaltige und ethische Mineralienbeschaffung in Afrika die globale Energiezukunft stärkt. Er erklärt unseren Ansatz zu Transparenz, Umweltverantwortung und fairem Wachstum – und zeigt, warum verantwortungsvolle Gewinnung von Kobalt und Mangan entscheidend für die Energie-Transformation ist.

BLOOH Solution spricht über nachhaltige Mineralienbeschaffung in Afrika

Join Anne Delaney as she tracks the electrification of everything with people at the forefront of the electrification transition.

BLOOH Solution Ltd. creates eco-friendly technology and energy systems, helping build a cleaner, smarter, and greener future for everyone.

Brian Crombie has 20 years of corporate experience, a depth of knowledge in all facets of finance, strategic planning and corporate / business development for a wide breadth of companies in several industries. Brian has deep political, community and charitable involvement as well.

Investment Uncut is a podcast about investing. In each episode, hosts Mary Spencer, Laetitia Anstee-Parry and Jacob Shah are joined by guests to cut through the noise in the world of investing, bringing clarity to your investment decisions. LCP’s investment team advise large institutional investors including pension funds with billions of pounds of assets under management. 

Look out for new episodes every other Wednesday.

A trusted source delivering fresh perspectives and exclusive insights that shape the future of energy.

New tracks tagged #energytransition