In this, the last episode for the year, the team have a fascinating wide-ranging discussion on the multiple issues for Australian businesses to switch to renewable energy sources.
James tells the team of the rapid transition by several large Australian mines to renewable energy, and the team consider if the same is possible for smaller business operations. Paul discusses the business issues of commercial reality and costs vs the demands and expectations of the changing supply chain. He addresses the volatility of diesel fuel costs compared to locally-produced renewables.
Tennant delves into the multiple issues of system-wide power sources vs microgrid power supply.
The conversation then ranges across power storage, variable demand of electricity loads by business, and the cost and feasibility of hydrogen transport amongst other issues. And what it means to us as business people.
The team discuss hydrogen as a domestic source and as a potential export product, the current state of the ‘nuclear energy’ debate, and the issues around Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation.
Paul proposes Carbon Utilisation be discussed more and reminds us that ‘energy efficiency’ is an important first step to decarbonisation for many small businesses.
After a long career in multiple aspects of supply chain management, corporate training and business advisory, James brings a business improvement mindset to his role as General Manager of Supply Chain Resilience for Ai Group. A skilled communicator and adviser, James has been involved with Oil & Gas, the Defence industry and supply chain across the board for over 40 years.
James has a Masters degree in International Management and a partially completed Doctor of Business Administration. He says he'll get around to finishing it when he retires.
Tennant Reed is Director - Climate Change and Energy at Ai Group. He has worked on these issues since 2008, advising Ai Group’s Leaders’ Group on Energy and Climate Policy; coordinating joint research and advocacy with wider energy stakeholders; facilitating the Australian Climate Roundtable; developing reports on energy prices, carbon border adjustments and business energy use; reviewing emissions targets for the State of Victoria; and closely observing international climate negotiations.
Paul Hodgson is an advisor in innovation, the energy transition and economic growth with diverse experience and insights gained over a 30 year career. Amongst his current roles, he is Interim CEO of the Scaling Green Hydrogen Cooperative Research Centre Bid, a member of the Australian Government’s Low Emissions Technology and Services Working Group, and a Non-Executive Director of Queensland Manufacturing Institute Ltd.
With a Bachelor of International Business and a Master of Sustainable Development, he is passionate about developing and connecting local talent and enterprise capability into global ESG and net zero market opportunities. From 2019-2021, he led the development of a national hydrogen technology cluster network, which now has 18 regional clusters across Australia.
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