Researching community-led strategies for a democratised and just energy transition in Australia.
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A blog documenting the journey of researching the development of community energy in the United Kingdom.
As the recipient of Energy Consumers Australia’s 2024 Gill Owen Scholarship I am travelling to the UK to interview people across its evolving energy landscape with the hopes of uncovering insights to unlock community energy in Australia.
I hope to also identify how UK projects and policies encourage equitable participation in their energy transition and ensure a just transition that builds the resilience and prosperity of vulnerable communities.
While nationally relevant, I intend to apply these learnings to my work along side First Nations communities in Australia at Original Power and the First Nations Clean Energy Network.
the latest from the power exchange blog
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Week 3: customer vs asset based design
(Please note: This blog post refers to interviews undertaken between May 26-31, 2024) As I headed to England’s North East this week, my colleagues back in Australia launched the Marlinja Community Microgrid; Australia’s first First Nations owned, grid connected community microgrid. It has been an absolute honour to be part of the team working alongside
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Week 2: communities of interest
Last week’s meetings with the Shadow Energy Security Minister and PRASEG could not have been a better-timed political briefing, as days later we had a sodden UK national election announcement! With the national political overlay in mind, I travelled the South West region of England where local mandates on Net Zero rang clearly. More than
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Week 1: Place based opportunities
Shortly after a sold-out First Nations Clean Energy Network’s Symposium in early May, I finally began my long journey to the United Kingdom, but not before a rousing community consultation with Ngardara Co-operative and Borroloola Traditional Owners . With plenty of time to let my mind wander on back-to-back long haul flights I began to
This research project is supported by Energy Consumers Australia’s Gill Owen Scholarship program and Original Power.
Special thanks to Lauren Mellor, Simon Quilty, and David Green for your generous encouragement and advice.
Power Exchange 