COMMUNITY ENERGY CONGRESS MELBOURNE 27-28 FEBRUARY, 2017

POWERING THE FUTURE TOGETHER Acknowledgement of Country

The Congress Organisers would like to acknowledge that the Community Energy Congress is being held on the lands of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to elders of the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung, Taungurong, Dja Dja Wurrung and the Wathaurung people, both past and present. We acknowledge the First Australians as the traditional custodians of this continent, whose cultures are among the oldest living cultures in human history. Contents

Welcome 2 About 3 Program overview 4 venue Map 6 Side Events 8 Plenaries 12 ReInvest: Social Event 20 Breakout #1 22 Breakout #2 30 Breakout #3 38 Places to eat 44 PARTNERS 45 Sustainability 45 SPONSORS 46 Welcome Welcome to the second Community Energy Congress.

I hope you’re excited as we are to be here. It’s amazing to bring together so many people working to strengthen community energy in Australia. This is not only an emerging part of Australia’s energy sector; it is a growing movement for a system that puts people and the planet first. Whether you are motivated by responding to climate change or taking control of your energy future and power bills, or you just love geeking out with the newest technology, the Congress has something for you.

While some of our politicians profess their love for black rocks, clean technologies such as solar, wind and storage keep coming down in price. The people in this room are taking these technologies, harnessing some of the best renewable energy resources in the world and innovating new business models that enable all of us to participate and benefit from the clean energy transition.

Since the first Community Energy Congress in mid 2014, the community energy sector has more than doubled to over 80 groups and 50 operating community energy projects. We are growing and we want to acknowledge the hard work and long hours that people in this room have put into making community energy projects happen. Thank you.

Together, we can make it easier, quicker and grow the impact of community energy; this Community Energy Congress is a step along the way. Whether you are a part of a community energy group, are new to the space, work in the energy sector or in policy this Congress is for you. So I invite you to take ownership of it. To do that I ask you to reflect on three questions:

1. To what degree do you intend to get value out of this event? 2. To what degree are you prepared to engage personally to achieve this? 3. To what extent are you prepared to take responsibility for the learning and engagement of others at this event?

The Congress will be what you make it. Throughout the program there are opportunities to create partnerships, develop new initiatives, get support for existing ones and expand what is possible for the community energy sector. However, most importantly we hope you have fun.

Thanks again for being part of the 2017 Community Energy Congress.

Nicky, Steve, and Sarah, on behalf of the Congress organising team.

Map Community Energy Groups

2 About

The Congress The Coalition for The Community Energy Congress is the premier Community Energy event on Australia’s community energy calendar. Congress 2017 is bringing together hundreds of Nearly three years ago at the inaugural people from across Australia. Our aims for the Community Energy Congress, we launched the Congress are to: Coalition for Community Energy (C4CE) and developed a shared vision for this sector. • Inspire participants to (continue to) create change in their communities, Our vision is to establish a vibrant community energy • Support people learn from successful sector, where communities across and throughout examples of community energy, Australia are hubs of sustainable innovation and collaborative action between residents, business, • Foster new networks, relationships and industry, and all tiers of government. collaborations, • Identify key opportunities and barriers Since then, C4CE has grown to more than 90 facing the sector, and organisations. While there have been some challenges, the Coalition continues to work • Facilitate sharing of information and towards delivering the founding objectives, strategies about overcoming the barriers including: and realising opportunities. We hope you will help make these aims a reality. • Guiding and supporting the development of the community energy sector • Creating a co-ordinated voice to better Community Energy advocate for the needs of the sector • Identifying and creating strategic In the National Community Energy Strategy we opportunities and attract investment for the “The wide range of define community energy as sector, and ways that communities can develop, deliver and benefit from sustainable energy. It can involve • Co-ordinating strategic initiatives which supply-side projects such as renewable energy build the knowledge, know-how and installations, and storage, and demand-side projects capacity of members and the sector. such as community education, energy efficiency and demand management. Community energy can even We hope you will join us over lunch on Tuesday include community-based approaches to selling or to talk about how we can grow the impact of distributing energy.” C4CE.

From pioneering projects such as Hepburn and Denmark Community Wind, to Enova - Australia’s first community owned retailer, to the myriad of community solar investment and donation projects, Australia’s community energy sector is growing in size and diversity. For more information about community energy groups and projects across Australia, check out the map and models diagrams in the Foyer and visit the C4CE stall in the Expo.

3 Program overview

Day 1, 27 February Day 2, 28 February

TIME SESSION TIME SESSION

8:00am Arrival & Registration 8:00am Arrival & Registration

Welcome to Country & Opening 9:00am 9:00am Action Planning Plenary

11:15am Morning Tea 11:15am Morning Tea

11:45am Plenary - Energy Justice 11:45am Breakout #2

1:00pm Lunch* 1:15pm Lunch* & C4CE Meeting

2:30pm Breakout #1 2:15pm Breakout #3

4:30pm Afternoon Tea 3:45pm Afternoon Tea

Plenary - Unlocking community 4:45-6pm 4-5pm Closing Plenary energy

Social Event: ReInvest In 6:30-9pm *See the Side Events page for great lunchtime activities. partnership with Future Super

4 breakout sessions

Growth through Main-stream Doing it! Energy Justice Skill up partnerships

Room Main Hall Condell Room Supper Room Yarra Room Hoddle Room

Community Community Working with Breakout #1 Energy Energy and Stories of Renewable Grabbing Day 1 Financing, Fossil-fuel Success Energy Headlines 2:30pm Legals and Affected Developers Risk Communities

Breakout #2 Working with Aboriginal Day 2 Network Renewable 11:45am Companies Energy Building Back to the Models of Community Future Community and Political Parts I & II Solar Support for Breakout #3 Working with Empowering Your Project Day 2 Retailers Vulnerable 2:15pm Communities

5 venue Map

LIFTS & STAIRS

SUPPER ROOM DOING IT!

LEVEL THREE

REGENT ROOM YARRA ROOM ENERGY JUSTICE

MEdIA ROOM

PORTICO LIFTS & ROOM STAIRS INdIGENOUS ROOM

LEVEL TWO

6 SESSION ROOMS MAIN HALL ACTIVITY ROOMS MAINSTREAM & PLENARIES BATHROOMS

COFFEE CART

MORNING & AFTERNOON TEA STATIONS

REGISTRATION & LIFTS & INFORMATION FOYER STAIRS

SPEAkER CONdELL ROOM HOddLE ROOM PREP. GROWTH THROUGH SKILL UP PARTNERSHIPS

MAIN ENTRANCE

SWANSTON ST LEVEL ONE

LIFTS & STAIRS

SWANSTON SPEEd HALL dATING

COMMUNITY ENERGY ExPO

GROUND FLOOR 7 Side Events

Day before the During the Congress Congress Speed Date a Community Hepburn Wind Tour Energy Expert A family friendly picnic, presentations and tour When: Monday 27 February, 2:30-6:00pm of the pioneering community energy project, Tuesday 28 February, 9:00am to 3:45pm featuring Soren Hermansen. Where: Swanston Hall

Business Model Training As part of C4CE’s Community Energy Congress, the ATA is happy to present a special Speed A training in how to use the Business Model Date a Community Energy Expert event. Open to Canvas, a powerful tool for developing successful Congress attendees, speed dating will run across community energy business models. the two days of the Congress and will offer free personalised advice from experts on the financial, Intro to the Australian legal, community engagement, and technical aspects of getting a community energy scheme up Energy System and running. Learn about the technical, governance and policy basics of Australia’s electricity system from Nicky This is a free event but you must be registered for Ison. the Community Energy Congress to take part. To register for a speed dating session while you’re at the Congress, head to the ATA table in the Sunulator Training Swanston Hall. Learn how to assess community solar host sites with ATA’s powerful Sunulator Tool. Sponsored by Flex and BCCM (Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals) Communities changing energy systems around the Lunch Meet-ups world When: Lunch, Monday 27 & Tuesday 28 Hear international perspectives on community February energy from Churchill Fellows, Heather Smith and Where: Eateries near the Town Hall Chris Cooper.

Sharing a meal facilitates the sharing of ideas. We’re facilitating a series of informal lunchtime meet-ups to discuss all things community energy at cafes and eateries close to the Melbourne Town Hall on both days of the Congress. For more information head to the Information Desk in the Main Foyer, where a series of meet-up topics and associated locations will be available.

8 Women in Renewables Community Energy Expo

Lunch When: Throughout the Congress

When: Monday 27 February, 1:00-2:15pm Where: Swanston Hall Where: Supper Room Head down to the Swanston Hall to visit the Booking essential Community Energy Expo. You will find the C4CE table, where community energy groups can The Clean Energy Council is pleased to be share materials and resources, as well as leading partnering with the Community Energy Congress government and industry organisations keen to present their first Women in Renewables to support and partner with community energy luncheon for 2017. Join us to hear from key groups. Browse the stalls and have a chat with a figures in the renewable energy industry as coffee in one hand and some morning tea in the they discuss the ways we can work together to other. If you have a technical, policy or financial increase diversity within the energy community. question about energy you’re likely to find the Leaders in the sector including Candace Vahlsing, answers at the Community Energy Expo. Senior Energy and Climate Advisor to Barack Obama, and Alison Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, Moreland Energy Foundation Limited, will Coalition for Community discuss how we can work to create widespread community acceptance of the changing landscape Energy Lunch Meeting as we transform the electricity sector, strategies they’ve seen work, and their own experiences of When: Tuesday 28 February, 1.30-2.15pm, creating change in their communities. Where: Supper Room

The Coalition for Community Energy as well as Finance Toolkit Launch putting on the Congress, has now grown to more than 90 organisations. Be part of a lunchtime When: Monday 27 February, 1:45-2:15pm session to discuss the future of C4CE and how Where: Main Hall it can grow to be support your organisation and strengthen the emerging community energy sector. Join the Finance Toolkit Authors, ARENA and many others to launch this key resource for the community energy sector. Geli Happy Hour

When: Tuesday 28 February, 5-7pm Where: Location to be announced

Looking to debrief the event with fellow attendees? Following the closing plenary, Geli invites you to unwind and enjoy a cold drink.

9 Day after the Finance Toolkit Training Congress When: 1.30-4pm

For all events: Securing funding has been identified as one of the key challenges facing community energy When: Wednesday 1 March groups. The newly released Funding Toolkit seeks to remove this challenge and also improve the Where: Community Hub – 912 Collins St. financial literacy of community members. The Docklands training will introduce attendees to the 16 key elements that comprise the framework of the Council Master Class toolkit and then delve into the detail in each of these areas.

When: 9.30-12pm The toolkit is also accompanied by a spreadsheet- There is a growing movement of towns and cities based Behind-the-Meter financial model template across Australia and around the world taking for solar projects and the training will step you control of their energy needs. In Australia projects through how to apply this tool to your solar such as the Darebin Solar Savers Program, project. the Z-Net project and the Lismore Community Solar Farm demonstrate growing interest and activities in community-council collaborations. To register for any of these side events head to In this Masterclass you will hear from those www.c4ce.net.au/congress/program2017/side- with first-hand experience about the role local events/. governments play in supporting community energy and the citizen driven energy transition and benefits local governments can derive from collaborating with their communities.

People Re-powering Australian cities

When: 12.30-1.30

The Climate Council invites you to hear from Australian community energy experts and not- for-profit leaders whilst enjoying a complimentary lunch. Over lunch you’ll hear from three panelists about how Australian community groups, local councils and a range of towns and cities can advocate for and lead the switch to clean energy in Australia. There will be plenty of time for discussion and a Q and A session.

10 11 Plenaries

Opening Plenary

When: day 1, 9:00am Where: Main Hall

The Congress’ opening plenary will be a chance to hear from leading international and local speakers about projects, policy and opportunities in community energy. It will also be a chance to get to know your fellow Congress go-ers and define opportunities across the community energy sector in a lively, interactive setting that will pave the way for the rest of the Congress – turning energy into action.

You will hear from four inspiring speakers and you will also be introduced to Erland Howden and Dr Nina Terrey - expert facilitators who will work with you progressively throughout the Congress, engendering connection, dialogue and reflection.

Presenters

Søren Hermansen The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio

Søren Hermansen spearheaded his Minister Lily D’Ambrosio grew up in community’s efforts to become 100% the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner energy independent and has proved and studied english, philosophy and politics at the University to the world that it is possible for of Melbourne. She also holds a communities to become energy self- Diploma in Public Policy and was sufficient. elected to Parliament representing the Lower House seat of Mill Park in 2002. Born and raised on the Island of Samsø in Denmark – the island became the world’s first 100% renewable island in Following the election of the Andrews Labor 2007. He is the leader of Samsø Energy and Environment Government in 2014, she was named Minister for organisation (SEEO) and the CEO of the Samsø Energy Industry, and Minister for Energy and Resources, and Academy. He lives on Samsø with his wife and two then in 2016 became Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Suburban children and his career has encompassed farming, Development. education, facilitation, and community development. Søren focuses on transferring common knowledge Lily brings to her role a strong commitment to into action and translating top down policies into local economic prosperity and social justice, coupled with a action. He sees community power as the key to energy passion for the environment and a focus on real and democracy and local ownership. demonstrable outcomes. As Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Lily has already announced Søren is Time Magazine Hero of the Environment 2008; ambitious yet achievable renewable energy targets for winner of the Gotenborg prize 2009; Svend Auken award Victoria, as well as a commitment to ensure net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. for environmental leadership 2011; member of advisory panel for the Danish ministry of energy and climate; In her Industry and Resources roles Lily developed member of network group in Japan Renewable Energy the Future Industries Fund to support high growth Foundation and; Adjunct professor at Aalborg University industries and create jobs, following the decline of and author of Commonity= Common + Community a book Victoria’s auto industry, and was a key driver behind about modern commons and how to understand them. the Andrews Government’s response to the Hazelwood Mine Fire Enquiry.

12 Candace Vahlsing Nicky ison Coordinator, Coalition for Candace Vahlsing is the Senior Community Energy Policy Advisor for Energy and Climate Change at the White House Nicky Ison is an expert in the field Domestic Policy Council. She of energy policy and community oversees a variety of presidential energy and has worked with and policy priorities in the energy visited over 60 community energy and climate change portfolio on both domestic and groups in Australia, Europe and the US. Nicky is a international topics. Prior to this role, she worked at the Founding Director of the Community Power Agency White House Council on Environmental Policy and for and an Associate at the Institute for Sustainable the California Air Resources Board. Futures. She was co-author of the Homegrown Power Plan and the lead author of the National Community Candace has led the White House’s major community Energy Strategy. In 2014, Nicky was recognised on the energy policy initiatives, including the National Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence Community Solar Partnership and the Clean Energy List. Savings For All Initiative. These initiatives are to support President Obama’s goal to bring 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar to low and moderate income families by 2020, test new business models that expand solar access, build local capacity to support community-scale solar projects, and establish resources that will aid in expanding solar access to underserved communities. The initiatives also focus on energy efficiency and public housing.

COMMUNITY POWER Renewable energy for Victorian

Victoria State Government communities support has repurposed Black Forest Timbermill to help power the Woodend community and put Hepburn Wind community turbine painted Newstead on the path to by Ghostpatrol. Photo by Studio Aton. 100% renewable energy.

VICTORIAN RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS 2020 25% 2025 40%

5400mw $9bn 11,000 power investment new jobs 13

J000206 VSG RE A5 ad.indd 1 3/02/2017 2:31 PM ENERGY JUSTICE Plenary

When: day 1, 11:45am Where: Main Hall

For many Aboriginal communities around Australia, Community Energy represents a catalyst for empowerment, a crucial element in the survival and success of a community, a pathway to a sustainable and self sufficient future. In this plenary you will hear from leaders from Nations right across Australia, as they share their experiences, visions and plans for renewable energy in their communities.

To top it all off, we are honoured to have two First Nations Leaders from Canada, Chief Gordon Planes and Melina Laboucan-Massimo, who have endless experience implementing renewable energy projects in their communities. Canada has over 320 projects owned, managed and run by Aboriginal Nations.

It’s so important that we focus on the histories and visions of our First People’s in the community energy sector and the Congress itself will be a way to expand the movement of renewable energy in Aboriginal communities further.

Presenters

Eddie Turpin Fred Hooper Yidinji, Narjon & Mbarbarum Murriwarri Nation Weilmoringle, Nation, Atherton Tablelands, QLD NSW

The tri-nation partnership between Fred has been working on Yidinji, Narjon & Mbarbarum developing solar projects for his Nations is seeing a complete community for over five years and rebuilding from the ground up of now also is on the Murray Darling their communities; with renewable energy making it Basin Committee ensuring Aboriginal knowledge happen and ensuring they can live on land and start and management is secured in water and catchment to rebuild their culture. Eddie Turpin is a Community planning. Educator in Wontulp-Bi-Buya Community College in Cairns, Co-designer of College and Education programs Geoffrey Stokes tertiary courses. Eddie is one of a group of Leaders of Wongatha Nation Elder & Leader - Mbarbarum Nation Atherton Tablelands. Has many Kalgoorlie WA trade qualifications and experience in a number of primary industries. Wongatha Wonganarra Elder, Pastor Geoffrey Stokes is known Uncle Ike Gordon for his relentless work among the Nyemba Nation Brewarrina, NSW homeless and most vulnerable. He has also been an activist in the anti-uranium mining Uncle Isaac Gordon has been a campaigns for many years. Elder of many remote NSW Police Liaison Officer for communities Uncle Geoffrey is now is turning to solar decades in the Brewarrina area, power as a critical ingredient in empowerment, security as well as running youth healing and enabling his people to stay on their traditional programs on country of which SBS lands. made an amazing documentary out of. He has been a key leader in the move towards solar power for his community, knowing that it’s the only way to make energy affordable and stay on country. Uncle Ike is also a church minister and speaker, advising for an innovative community initiated service, the Aboriginal Youth Healing Centre (AYHC) is currently being planned for western New South Wales.

14 Kado Muir In this session we will also be joined by: Ngalia Nation Katampul Ghillar Michael Anderson Euahylia Nation (Goodooga, Community Leader, Leonora WA Nth NSW), Ernie Gordon Nyemba Nation (Brewarrina Nth NSW), Kado Muir is an artist, a cultural Dean Morgan Dadaway Nation (Kimberley, WA), and authority and a modern Graham Smith Munangurra (Far Nth Queensland). entrepreneur. He runs a business specialising in Aboriginal art, culture and engagement awareness and training. He is a fore- runner in protecting country from uranium minging and building local economies for his Nation.

© West Australian Newspapers Limited

15 UNLOCKING COMMUNITY ENERGY

When: day 1, 4:45pm Where: Main Hall

The Congress’ political plenary will bring together key members of state parliaments across the country who are supporting community energy policy in their different spheres. This will be an opportunity for them to outline their vision for unlocking community energy across Australia – and just as importantly, to hear from Congress delegates about what the sector needs and the priorities for action to realise community energy’s full potential in Australia.

Presenters Claire O’Rourke (CHAIR) Shane Rattenbury MLA National Director, Solar Citizens Shane Rattenbury is a Greens Claire brings 15 years’ experience MLA and Minister in the ACT in journalism, communications and Government. Shane has been a campaigning to Solar Citizens, an Member of the ACT Legislative independent, community-based Assembly since 2008 when the organisation that aims to protect ACT Greens first gained balance of and grow solar for Australia. Claire has a broad history power, and negotiated for ambitious greenhouse gas of including overseeing communications on the Every reduction targets in their Parliamentary Agreement Australian Counts campaign for the National Disability with the Labor Party. In 2012 Shane negotiated an Insurance Scheme. Solar Citizens recently launched the Agreement that locked in a target of 90% renewable Homegrown Power Plan, a joint project with GetUp! electricity consumption by 2020. that shows how we can repower the country with 100% renewables by 2030. Inspired by key environmental issues of the 1980’s and 90’s including ozone depletion, Antarctic protection and logging, Shane joined Greenpeace Australia in 1998, Ben Franklin MLC where he campaigned on local issues like preventing Parliamentary Secretary for toxic emissions. In 2005, as Head of Greenpeace’s Renewable Energy, NSW global oceans campaign, he led an expedition of two Greenpeace ships to Antarctica to confront the The Hon Ben Franklin MLC was Japanese whaling fleet. In 2007, as International elected to the Legislative Council Political Director, Shane led the Greenpeace delegation for the NSW Nationals in 2015. at climate change negotiations in Bali, which He is currently the Parliamentary successfully started the process for the next phase of Secretary for Renewable Energy and Northern NSW, the Kyoto Protocol. as well as Deputy Government Whip in the Legislative Council.

Ben took part in the NSW Parliament Upper House Committee enquiry into Reparations for the Stolen Generations. This enquiry has resulted in a compensation and support package for members of the stolen generation. This package is the most generous in the country. From 2008 to 2015 Mr Franklin served as the State Director of the NSW Nationals. Prior to this, he was the Communications Director for UNICEF Australia.

16 Chris Picton MP Kirsty Gowans General Manager Projects, Chris is a State Member of Australian Renewable Energy Parliament and the Assistant Agency (ARENA) Minister to the Treasurer of South Australia. He represents the Kirsty joined ARENA as General electorate of Kaurna that contains Manager Projects in 2016. Prior to Adelaide’s southern coastal ARENA, she worked with Indigenous suburbs from Christies Beach to Aldinga Beach. Chris Business Australia (IBA). She was responsible for is a trained Lawyer and has worked in public policy providing advice on commercial matters and oversaw for more than a decade, particularly to improve public IBA’s governance and risk management. Prior to health services. IBA, Kirsty worked with a range of organisations including the Northern Land Council, NSW Native Title Chris previously served as Chief of Staff to the Federal Service and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Attorney-General, worked as an Associate Director at Commission. Kirsty has postgraduate qualifications Deloitte Access Economics and in senior roles in the in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. She SA Government. Chris was educated at public schools recently completed a Master of Laws at the University in Adelaide and then graduated from Law at Flinders of Melbourne. University.

17 ACTION PLANNING

When: day 2, 9:00am Where: Main Hall

Open Space Technology is a simple, inclusive approach to productive and creative meetings in which a few people, or thousands, quickly self-organise to deal effectively with complex issues during a short period of time. Open space technology allows participants to offer topics for discussion and others to participate according to their interest.

The open space plenary at the Congress will employ a variation on this process to harness the wisdom of Congress attendees to generate ideas for action, and through conversation explore what will it take to turn these proposed actions into a program for collective impact.

If you have ideas to explore with other community energy folks to drive forward the sector, whether it be in the field of campaigns and advocacy, developing legal toolkits, building networks or something else entirely, you are invited to pre-register your ideas (participants will also have an opportunity to outline open space session proposals throughout day one of the Congress).

In addition to a pre-registered sessions marketplace, the Congress facilitators will be drawing together insights, themes and opportunities gathered throughout day one to form additional sessions around key themes. All participants will be able to interact in a structured way to explore ideas for action, while moving freely between discussions (the law of two feet).

Together we will generate action plans that create the change we need to grow a vibrant community energy sector.

Presenters

Erland Howden, Nina Terrey Global Practice Lead, ThinkPlace Erland is a facilitator, designer and progressive campaigner with Nina is a leading innovation co- over ten years experience in the design expert and practitioner. non-profit sector. With training Her work focuses on how to solve in deliberative and participatory public problems by taking a co- facilitation and experience leading design approach and empowering and developing purpose-driven groups and networks, people to co-create innovative solutions. Nina has he has a deep connection to the community energy over 20 years working across complex systems such sector. Erland lead the formation of Blue Mountains as regulation, national security, health, immigration, Renewable Energy Cooperative that has grown to a manufacturing, human services, energy, taxation, and thriving organisation, delivering a range of projects. transport. She is an adjunct associate professor and a Erland also sits on the board of Solar Citizens, an regular lecturer at the University of Canberra Institute organisation advocating for renewable energy and the of Governance and Policy analysis and the Australian rights of solar owners. National University, Australian and New Zealand School of Government programs.

18 Closing Plenary A shared vision for Australia’s community energy sector

When: day 2, 4:00pm Where: Main Hall

In the closing plenary, we will hear final remarks and bring together the insights, connections and opportunities from the two day Congress into collaborative action to drive forward the Community Energy sector, taking advantage of our strengths and collective potential.

This is a chance to celebrate everything that embodies community energy in Australia today and carry forward the vision of how the sector can grow and flourish in the future. We will also carry out a short evaluation process, to make sure future events are as productive and inspiring as possible and recognise all the hard work that has gone into making the Congress a success.

19 ReInvest: Social Event

Australians have embraced Divestment, now it’s time to take the next step and ReInvest in the solutions.

Everyday Australians have the power to turbocharge the clean energy revolution. ReInvest is a party where you’ll discover how. Best of all, it’s free and open to the public.

Join Future Super, Australia’s first fossil fuel free super fund, and their clean energy entourage from 6.30pm on Monday 27 February, at Melbourne Town Hall for an evening of music, refreshments and thoughtful conversation.

EXCLUSIVE: Be the first to learn about an exciting new way you can invest in the renewable energy revolution. We can’t say too much, but we can tell you that on the night we’ll reveal the boldest plan yet to drive community ownership of large-scale solar farms.

Monday 27 February 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm Melbourne Town Hall

20 Here’s just a few of the fantastic speakers you’ll hear from at ReInvest:

Community Energy Leaders will take the stage including Alison Crook AO, Chair of Enova Community Energy, and Jimmy Cocking, Director of the Arid Lands Environment Centre NT and founding member of RePower Alice Springs. Our community Alison Crook leaders have a wealth of experience on taking action towards the transition to renewable energy in their communities.

Jeremy Leggett is a former oil executive turned social entrepreneur. After becoming concerned about climate change in the late 80s, Jeremy’s career took a u-turn. He became a campaigner with Greenpeace before founding SolarCentury, the Jimmy Cocking UK’s biggest solar company, and SolarAid, an international charity that combats poverty and climate change.

Simon Corbell has spent more than 18 years as an MLA in the ACT. He has been instrumental in setting the policies that will see the ACT powered by 100% renewable energy by 2018, and is now advising the Victorian government on their renewable energy strategy. Jeremy Leggett

Greg Barber entered public life in 2002 as the first Green Mayor and has been the Victorian Greens Leader since 2010. A long-time champion of renewable energy, Greg’s insights will let you know what’s next for renewables.

Simon Corbell

Greg Barber

21 Breakout #1 Day 1, 2:30pm

Stories of Success The Main-Stream , Main Hall Hosted by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

With over 50 fully operating community energy projects in Australia, it is possible to be inspired by what has already been achieved and is already happening. This is a big-picture session which will illustrate the possibilities of community energy and showcase the stories of established community energy projects which are up and running, now generating electricity or very close to it.

This session is especially well suited to community groups, local government and industry stakeholders who are new to community energy or are still on the journey to their first success.

Our presenters will share their first-hand experiences and what their success took in terms of the challenges they faced and overcame, what enthused and sustained them, and the lessons they learnt along the way.

The session is structured in two parts. First, a series of presentations to give us a snapshot of each of these success stories. Second, an interactive format to allow you to ask questions and discuss particular areas most relevant to your own community energy interests and projects.

PRESENTERS Craig Chappelle Jo Kaptein Founder & Director, Denmark Project Officer, Hub Foundation Community Wind The Hub Foundation’s largest Craig has been a Denmark, WA, initiative is the campaign for More resident for 34 years and an active Australian Solar Homes (MASH) environmentalist for 33 ½ of them. which has installed over 650 He was a shire councillor from 1996 to 2003. He solar rooftops in Central Victoria in just over 2 years. oversaw the Denmark Community Wind project from Jo co-ordinates all aspects of the program including an idea in 2003 through building and now operating a supplier and product selection, partnerships, pricing, 1.6MW windfarm owned by 116 shareholders – nearly community engagement and marketing. Jo brings a all of whom are local residents. Craig says that helping combination of commercial marketing experience, reduce his community’s dependence on fossil fuels is project management skills and strategy to her work in among the most rewarding thing he’s ever done. renewable energy.

22 Sharyn Hunnisett Dr Christina Kirsch Environmental Strategies Officer, Founding Director, ClearSky Solar Lismore City Council Investments

Sharyn has been responsible Christina has over 20 years for successfully formulating and experience working as researcher, delivering Lismore City Council’s academic and consultant on major Climate Change and Sustainability programs since organisational change and technology projects. She 2002. Her role includes developing sustainability is passionate about supporting social innovation and priorities within the organisation and formulating the transition of our organisations and industries into relevant projects and targets. Sharyn is currently the post-carbon economy. One example of which is leading the implementation of the councils 2023 ClearSky Solar Investments, a social enterprise that Renewable Energy Master Plan which incorporates links community investors with high quality, low risk Lismore Community Solar – an innovative Council/ solar projects. Community Energy project. Sharyn will be co-presenting with Greg Howell. Chris Weir President, Bendigo Sustainability Andy Cavanagh-Downs Group Executive Director, Embark Chris has over 30 years experience in the digital multimedia production Embark is a not-for-profit that industry. As an Apple developer assists communities to participate and creative technologist he is in renewable energy and low currently involved in the development of virtual reality carbon initiatives, such as the experiences. As president of the Bendigo Sustainability Sydney Renewable Power Company, Group he has been involved in a number of community who’s flagship solar array is on the roof of the Sydney projects. These have included a major energy efficiency International Convention Centre. Andy joined Embark information program, setting up a pop-up energy shop after working in finance for over 10 years in Zurich, and a number solar installations on the community London and Sydney. He has extensive experience in buildings such as Bendigo Library, Discovery Centre, capital raising, project design, project implementation Bendigo Tramways and the Archive Centre. and strategy.

23 Day 1, 2:30pm

Working with Renewable Energy Developers Growth through partnerships - Condell Room Hosted by Clean Energy Council & Hepburn Wind

This participatory session brings together experts talking about the mid to large scale renewable projects, what they can mean for communities both in regards to partnerships and local benefits - how can communities partner with developers and how can they get ready for the coming energy transition.

The session is structured in two parts. First, a series of presentations to give us a snapshot of a range of case studies and topics including:

• Learnings from the current research project Enhancing Social Outcomes in Wind Development • Learnings from ACT Auction process and innovations in community benefits • A case study - the CWP Sapphire Wind Farm community investment testing • Case Study - The Woodend Wind Farm and WestWind community developer partnership • How we prepare for our coming energy transition and create as much local benefit as possible

Second, an interactive format to allow you to ask questions and discuss particular areas most relevant to your own community energy interests and projects.

PRESENTERS Kane Thornton Melanie Robertson CEO, Clean Energy Council CEO Committee for Ballarat

Kane has over a decade’s Melanie has a track record of experience in energy policy and advocacy, collaboration and leadership in the clean energy financial management across industry. Kane has advocated for private and public sectors. In her and helped design the policies that most recent position as Manager have been critical to the clean energy industry’s growth, of the Waubra Wind Farm and Asset Services, she and continues to be an active political advocate, public was responsible improving work place culture and presenter and spokesperson for the clean energy community engagement. Melanie has served on a industry. His previous roles include senior manager range of Boards including Buninyong Community and advisor for Hydro Tasmania and executive officer Bank and the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance. of Renewable Energy Generators Australia. Kane is Melanie holds a Masters in Environmental Engineering a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Management, MBA, Bachelor of Applied Science Directors, has a Masters in International Urban and (Environmental Health) and Bachelor of Medical Environmental Management and Bachelor of IT. Science.

24 Breakout #1

Taryn Lane Lisa Stiebel Community Manager, Hepburn Manager, Community Wind Engagement, CWP Asset Management Taryn has over 15 years of community development Lisa is a graduate of Oxford experience. Working for Hepburn University with a Masters in Climate Wind, Taryn has been part of Change from ANU, Lisa has over pioneering the community energy movement in 20 year’s experience in strategic communications, Australia, including designing the benefit-sharing model community development and project management in for Hepburn Wind. Taryn also worked for Embark the not-for-profit and business sectors. Her interest Australia for five years, mentoring other community is in the crossroads where renewable energy meets energy groups. Taryn is a founding director of the community, unlocking opportunities and discovering Australian Wind Alliance and Chair of C4CE. Taryn was ways in which the transition to renewables can help to the lead for the Victorian Guide to Community-Owned improve people’s lives and strengthen community. In Renewable Energy, and an author of the National addition to working for CWP, Lisa runs QED Energy, a Community Energy Strategy and the Community Energy Canberra-based renewable energy consultancy. Finance Toolkit. Tobias Geiger Simon Corbell Managing Director, WestWind Victorian Renewable Energy Energy Pty Ltd Advocate Tobias holds a Masters of Science As the first Victorian Renewable in Aerospace Engineering. For the Energy Advocate, Simon’s role is past 22 years he has been working to promote the state’s renewable in wind energy with assignments energy sector. Simon was ranging from design of rotor blades and manufacturing previously ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for to wind farm development and commercialisation. Environment and Climate Change and served in the Tobias has been deeply involved in the wind energy ACT Legislative Assembly between 1997 -2016, where sector in Europe, Canada and Australia. Since 2007, he put the ACT on track for 100% renewables by 2020. Tobias has led WestWind Energy, which has been Simon was a joint winner of the Banksia Foundation’s involved in the development of over 1500MW of wind Gold Award for the ACT Solar Auction program. He energy projects in Australia. is also a Patron of the Australian Solar Council and a University of Canberra Adjunct Professor.

Barry Mann Team Leader, Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group (MRSG)

Barry has been involved with MRSG for the last 9 years. His primary focus has been the establishment of a local community wind project. After the imposition of anti-wind planning laws in 2010, he shifted his focus to solar PV, where he successfully sought grant funding and project managed the installation of solar and a small wind project at a local primary school. Barry is currently managing the establishment of a community-developer partnership between MRSG and Westwind, to build a five-turbine wind farm near Woodend.

25 Day 1, 2:30pm

Community Energy Financing, Legals & Risk Doing it, Supper Room Hosted by Energy Locals

This participatory session brings together experts from the community energy, legal and finance sectors to share their experience and advice in pulling together complex community renewable energy projects and mitigating risk. The session is aimed at community energy project leaders developing their first investment model or making the transition from a donations model, as well as lawyers, finance professionals and others interested in the community energy space. The workshop runs over two hours and will cover:

• Legal structures and agreements required for community energy projects • An introduction to the Community Energy Finance Toolkit and key financing lessons & tips • Risk management and assessment tools.

We also aim to undertake a participatory risk assessment mapping exercise to identify and rate various forms of risk commonly experienced in community energy projects, and develop mitigation strategies against them.

PRESENTERS Manny Pasqualini Huon Hoofesteger Director, Community Power Smart Commercial Solar Agency Huon began working in solar 10 Manny sees community-owned years ago. He is proud to work for renewable energy as a perfect a company – Smart Commercial blend of community building, Solar that stands for people first. social enterprise and clean energy Huan has been involved with development. Manny has played a leading role in projects for Essential Energy, NSW Rail, Bunnings advocating for strong and innovative State and Federal and HammondCare. Community solar has been a government policy support for community energy, significant advancement in the industry and Huon and most recently through the Renewables For All project. his team has played an integral role with ClearSky Solar Manny’ is currently working with several Melbourne Investments to create some of the most successful metro and Victorian regional communities to help community owned projects in the industry. develop and implement their community energy vision.

26 Breakout #1

Simon Currie Jennifer Lauber Patterson Head of Global Energy, Norton Managing Director, Frontier Rose Fulbright Impact Group

Simon is recognised as a thought Jennifer is currently a board leader on the transformation of member of Sustainability Victoria the energy sector. He regularly and Chair of the Board of Yarra advises clients on the development Energy Foundation. Jennifer is a of clean energy legal services. He understands utility specialist in carbon and energy markets with over 25 regulation in key markets and how to meet the years’ experience in the banking and energy sectors. requirements of all stakeholders including customers, Jennifer established ANZ’s Electricity, Carbon and developers, contractors, utilities, regulators, investors Renewable Markets Business and developed National and funders. Simon has strongly supported the Australia Bank’s (NAB) Environmental Treasury growth of the community energy sector in Australia Solutions business. Jennifer is passionate about and other countries such as the UK. Simon advises innovative technologies and business models that clean large-scale wind and solar developments on models for our energy, air and water, this led her to develop the community investment and has contributed to articles Community Energy Finance Toolkit. and resources on legal issues in the community energy sector.

Kylie Hitchman Director ClearSky Solar Investments.

ClearSky Solar Investments (CSSI) is a social enterprise established in 2013 with funding assistance from the NSW Government. ClearSky supports communities and individuals to invest in solar projects – to date $1.7 million has been invested in 14 projects. Kylie has been an environmental activist for the past 35 years and has worked for Greenpeace, CANA and as a journalist. Professionally Kylie is a psychologist and works as a therapist and lecturer in Medical Ethics at UNSW.

Community Energy & Fossil Fuel Tiffany Harrison Affected Communities presenters, see next page for more details Project Coordinator, Zero Emissions Byron Project

Pat Burrows Tiffany has varied experience Energise Gloucester in the environmental sector, both internationally and locally. Since retirement in 2003 Pat has Subsequent to completing a Bachelor of Science in developed an active interest in the Ecology and Conservation Biology, Tiffany worked in betterment of local community. the developing island nation of Palau, in the northern She is involved in the local food Pacific. Here she saw first hand the impacts of climate movement in her adopted home change through the inundation and loss of islands. town of Gloucester, NSW, as well as the newly set Since then, she has primarily focused her work on up community energy group, Energise Gloucester. climate change policy reform and action. Tiffany was Her background is in the IT industry, having worked drawn to the Zero Emissions Byron Project’s potential as a project manager for many years in Melbourne for addressing climate change and helping to instigate before moving to NSW to be nearer her family. She is the spread of local level action. excited to be participating in the congress to share the experiences so far of Energise Gloucester.

27 Day 1, 2:30pm

Community Energy & Fossil Fuel-Affected Communities Energy Justice , Yarra Room Hosted by the New Economy

Community energy projects are emerging all over the world as people try to find ways to either transition their regional economy away from fossil fuels, or to avoid new projects being established. In this session, local leaders will share how they are working to build new energy systems while strengthening their local economy. Come and hear how these projects got started, the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them.

PRESENTERS Amanda Cahill Dr. Shota Furuya CEO, The Next Economy Researcher, Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies Amanda has spent the past two decades supporting the emergence Shota works on community based of more resilient, socially just renewable energy development in and ecologically sustainable local Japan. He focuses on the process in economies across the Asia-Pacific region. The Next which different local stakeholders Economy applies participatory and strengths-based share a sustainable and creative future vision. He will approaches to research, plan and implement diverse be talking about his role in facilitating community economic activities that not only support increased energy in Fukushima – a community facing a huge employment and investment opportunities, but also energy transition. In addition to research and practical move us closer to achieving a zero emissions economy. support for community based renewable energy This work ranges from assisting the Byron Shire achieve development, Shotahas actively engaged in editing and zero emissions within 10 years to working with coal publishing a number of pieces on Energy Democracy. and gas affected communities to identify economic opportunities beyond fossil fuels. Dianne Montague Energise Gloucester Ron Ipsen Voices of the Valley When Dianne moved to a farm 30km from Gloucester eight years Ron Ipsen is a third-generation ago, she didn’t think that her power station worker with a twenty-five years of experience mixed background in medicine, in Sydney as a psychotherapist, arts and engineering. He settled counsellor and group facilitator would be utilised in operations at Yallourn W Power quite so quickly. As a concerned resident she became Station, before being was compulsory retired in 1991 involved in the community group campaigning against after a motorcycle accident. Ron built the first regional the proposal for a coal mine close to town. As the ISP in Gippsland and pioneered the Internet industry. President of Gloucester Residents in Partnership, Ron challenged the state goverment during the Dianne witnessed the mental stress and trauma that Hazelwood minefire proving the need for increased many residents were experiencing. At the Groundswell medical assistance. He is now working on health and Gloucester Sustainable Futures conference the idea transition to ensure that his community has a future. was floated of forming a community energy group. Energise Gloucester was formed, with the proposal for the first project well underway with an aim to reunite the community.

28 Breakout #1

Grabbing headlines Skill-up, Hoddle Room Hosted by the Climate Media Centre

About to launch your community energy project? Or wish to celebrate a milestone in your venture? This Climate Media Centre workshop will help you maximise publicity by capturing the media’s attention. Grabbing headlines can inspire others to get involved and support your project, or even inspire them to build their own.

Across two hours you will get the insider’s guide to the way the media operates, and how to make your story or launch more attractive so it is reported on. As well as getting practical tips on how to scrap the tech talk for compelling messages, you’ll learn how to pitch to journalists and producers and build relationships to make the most out of your local paper and radio station. Media interviews need to be punchy and to the point. A handy guide to launching events will also be made available to attendees.

PRESENTERS Dinah Arndt Zoe Edwards Director, Climate Media Centre Media Advisor, Climate Media Centre Dinah is an award-winning communicator who understands Zoe is armed to the teeth with the media intimately having worked radio, digital and television news on both sides of the fence. Before experience. For the past four-and- joining the Climate Media Centre a-half years she has worked at ABC in various reporting her most recent roles were Media and Advocacy and producing roles, including on its flagship political Manager at Cancer Council Victoria, and was a print TV program Insiders and national breakfast TV program and online news reporter for more than a decade at News Breakfast. Fairfax Media in Victoria and Tasmania, including Chief Political Reporter for The Examiner in Tasmania. At the Climate Media Centre, Dinah leads the team connecting journalists with powerful stories about Australian people and places affected by climate change now, as well as the inspiring tales of those behind all sorts of solutions.

29 Breakout #2 Day 2, 11:45pm back to the future part I The Main-stream – Main Hall Hosted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures & Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning

Maximising value – solar, storage and all things trading Community energy projects are rapidly increasing in number. Yet the technologies and business models deployed to date have been relatively limited. National debates on energy security highlight the need to embrace the emerging challenges of matching local generation and usage if we are to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy to our communities. This session will offer the opportunity to hear, debate, and seek inspiration on how community energy will intersect with innovative technologies and business models in the form of energy storage, demand response and local electricity trading.

PRESENTERS Jay Rutovitz Professor Ross Garnaut (AO) Research Director, Institute for Professorial Research Fellow, Sustainable Futures University of Melbourne

Jay is an environmental scientist Professor Garnaut has had who has worked in renewable longstanding and successful roles energy and energy efficiency as policy advisor, diplomat and since 1994, after 15 years as an businessman. He was principal electrician. She has worked on precinct scale options economic adviser to Australian Prime Minister Bob for designing energy smart solutions, was the lead Hawke 1983-1985, and Australian Ambassador to China author for the NSW Bioenergy Handbook, and worked 1985-1988. He is the author of a number of influential on the early development of Network Opportunity reports to the Australian Government, including The Mapping. She is working on a number of projects aimed Garnaut Climate Change Review, and The Garnaut at optimising the interaction between distributed and Review 2011: Australia and the Global Response to renewable energy and network management, including Climate Change. Recent books include The Great Crash a strong focus on Local Electricity Trading. of 2008 (with David Llewellyn-Smith, 2009) and Dog Days: Australia After the Boom (2013). Dean Spaccavento Co-founder, Reposit Power

Reposit Power is a leading distributor energy company that integrates software with solar battery systems to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Before devoting his time to Reposit Power, Dean served as the Chief Information Officer of Energy Response. Dean is refreshingly direct and considers himself as a grid nerd, having an intimate understanding of the electricity space and high performance enterprise software for modern grids. 30 Darius Salgo Andrew Tanner Co-founder, Nexergy VP Business Development, Geli

Darius believes that empowering Geli provides a software platform communities with accessible, for the emerging internet of clean energy is the path to a more energy to control distributed equitable energy system. Darius energy resources, such as energy worked in the US in design and storage. Andrew is based at implementation of small-scale wind systems in hybrid their headquarters in Silicon Valley and has been microgrids. Returning to Australia he work in wind spearheading the Australian expansion of the company farm operations and electricity trading on Australia’s which is newly located in Melbourne. A former National Electricity Market (NEM) prior to cofounding recipient of the Advance Global Australian of the Nexergy. Nexergy is a startup developing a local energy Year in Cleantech, Andrew has been developing and trading platform. The platform enables people who commercialising renewable energy technologies for the own solar and batteries to trade their electricity with past 15 years. others in their community.

City of Melbourne is proud to be sponsoring 31 the 2017 Community Energy Congress Day 2, 11:45am

Working with Network Companies Growth through partnerships, Condell Room Hosted by Greensync

The transformation of the electricity network is certainly now upon us. Years of environmental advocacy, rapid technology advances and shifts in consumer demand are driving an unprecedented shake up of our century-old supply network. With this change comes opportunities (and some risks) to harness the value of renewable energy across the grid as we drive towards zero emissions.

Community renewable projects are often daunted by the myriad of processed to connect to the grid and frustrated when they don’t receive a fair price for their homegrown generation. On the other side of the fence, network operators have been aggrieved by the need to manage the technical impacts of connecting variable generation while traditional business models ‘death spiral’ from lower consumption. New partnerships are emerging with networks, communities and technology providers that are finding value resolving past frustrations and identifying ‘win, win, win’ projects.

Join Bruce Thompson, founding Chair of C4CE and now partnerships manager at Greensync and a panel of representatives from network companies, community energy groups and technology companies to better understand where community energy projects can work with rather than against networks to transform the grid to enable 100% renewables, improve affordability for all whilst maintaining safety and reliability.

PRESENTERS Mark Judd Greg Hanna Manager, Community Energy, Head of Strategy, United Energy Ausnet Services Greg holds extensive experience Mark holds a Bachelor in Surveying and expert knowledge in the energy from the University of Melbourne. sector in Victoria across generation, Upon graduation, Mark worked retail and networks. Originally as a hydrographic surveyor on trained as an electrical engineer, many of the major port developments in Australia in Greg holds a unique perspective, having undertaken the 80s. In 1994, Mark started Geomatic Technologies roles in energy trading, market analysis followed by (GT) with a colleague, a company specialising in linear senior advisory roles for Victorian Energy Ministers infrastructure mapping, GIS and mobility solutions. In and Premiers. His current role at United Energy 2014, GT was acquired by AusNet Services and today provides leadership on strategic issues and industry Mark works with AusNet Services in a role engaging developments such as the emergence of distributed with communities and developing clean energy local energy markets to enable the network to solutions. respond to the needs of customers and transformative technology.

32 Breakout #2

Bruce Thompson Tristy Farifield General Manager, Product Sales Engineer, Energy Solutions, Strategy, GreenSync Synergy

Bruce is a recognised leader in Tristy is a renewable energy the sustainable energy sector professional with 15+ years bringing together unique skills experience. Tristy has recently and experience to build practical joined Synergy, Western Australia’s responses to climate change. Bruce spent 12 years state-owned gentailer, where she is responsible for with the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, establishing new energy technology trials, including electric vehicles and leading initiatives including the Moreland Solar and peer-to-peer trading. Prior to this, Tristy worked City, ZeroNet Energy Town and Positive Charge for Western Power, where she initiated its ‘Stand-alone social enterprise to engage community, industry Power System’ project, coordinating a multi-disciplinary and government in effective and efficient models to team to consider the potential of stand-alone power transform our energy sector. Bruce was the founding systems to provide a cost-effective alternative to Chair of the Coalition for Community Energy and network replacement in fringe-of-grid locations. continues to support the community energy sector Tristy has an MSc (Renewable Energy) from Murdoch in an informal capacity. Bruce has recently joined University and started her career in renewable energy GreenSync, a leading energy technology company, as a climate change campaigner with Friends of the supporting their mission to optimise energy grids to Earth in Melbourne, the ACF and Conservation Council enable 80%+ renewables. of Western Australia in WA.

Beth Keddie Matthew Charles-Jones Product Manager, Jemena Co-President, Totally Renewable Yackandandah Beth has worked in and adjacent to the energy sector throughout Growing up in North East Victoria, her varied career in strategy and Matthew grasped early the value finance roles from copper mining in of undeveloped landscapes; Chile to electric car infrastructure in enjoying the privilege of unlimited Melbourne. Most recently she has taken up a new role play in mud, streams and forests. Backgrounding at Jemena, tasked with understanding and responding this work is formal studies in Education, Outdoor and to customer needs in our changing energy market. She Environmental Education and Ecology. More recently he is excited about working with Jemena’s customers and has more actively diverted his attention to sustainability community groups to further enhance the benefits and practical methods to reduce our collective impact of renewable energy and enabling technologies by on nature. Currently Matthew is Co-President of Totally leveraging network infrastructure. Renewable Yackandandah, a small and passionate group working to transition ‘Yack’ to a reliance on 100% renewable electricity by 2022. This journey is increasingly punctuated by unforeseen opportunities, unexpected creativity and unbelievable support.

33 Day 2, 11:45am

Models of Community Solar Doing it!, Supper Room Hosted by Energy Locals

Developing a community energy project is a complex affair. There are now almost 90 community energy groups in Australia but only a small number of those have successfully completed any projects and even fewer have completed more than one project. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the fastest way for your group to complete a solar project is to adopt and possibly adapt an existing, proven model.

This training session will be spread across two break-out sessions on day two of the Congress. The community members involved with developing the proven models will be there to share their knowledge and expertise with you. There will be learning activities built into the structure of the training to ensure you’ve applied the learnings to your project’s own situation and taken advantage of having direct access to these experts.

After a short overview of the successful models for community solar, the training will break into three focus areas covering the major categories of: donation, investment and multi-household. Each of these areas will explore the top three elements that you need to get right if you’re going to be successful in applying the model in your community.

PRESENTERS Heather Smith Tom Nockolds Committee Member, CORENA Director, Community Power Agency Heather is an electrical engineer and has been both an industrial In 2012, Tom left his corporate energy efficiency consultant and a career to pursue a vision of a world climate change policy maker. After where people share the benefits many years in state government Heather has moved and the burdens of the world more on to focus on community energy. She is a Churchill fairly. As one of the founding members of Sydney Fellow, recently returned from looking at the role of group, Pingala, Tom has helped oversee the continued community energy around the world in provoking commitment of a core group of volunteers working to change and defining each country’s energy transition. bring community energy projects to the wider Sydney Heather has been on the management committee of community. Tom has a strong knowledge of the CORENA for the past 18 months and has recently joined different business models being adopted or considered the Steering Group of the national body – the Coalition by community energy groups in Australia and has for Community Energy. helped groups navigate their way through the complex technical and regulatory environment.

34 Breakout #2 Adam Blakester Starfish Initiatives

Adam is a sustainability entrepreneur and social change strategist with diverse . Chris Cooper environmental, community, Founder, Suncrowd & Repower business and government Shoalhaven experience. With qualifications originally in accounting and taxation law, Adam blends strong business and Chris is CEO of Suncrowd, a organisational acumen with expertise in leadership, social enterprise aiming to take management, community development, facilitation and renewable energy to the people communication via a unique community approach. Previously, Chris was the founding-member of Repower Jo Kaptein Shoalhaven, one of Australia’s leading community Project Officer, Hub Foundation solar organisations, and an energy economist at the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University The Hub Foundation’s largest of Technology, Sydney. He was also co-founder of Berlin initiative is the campaign for More Bangers, a member of the Sydney food-truck fleet. In Australian Solar Homes (MASH) 2015, Chris was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship which has installed over 650 solar and travelled the world meeting visionaries and leaders rooftops in Central Victoria in just who are building the next generation of people-powered over 2 years. Jo co-ordinates all aspects of the program energy organisations. including supplier and product selection, partnerships, pricing, community engagement and marketing. Jo brings a combination of commercial marketing experience, project management skills and strategy to her work in renewable energy.

35 Day 2, 11:45am

Aboriginal Renewable Energy Energy Justice - Yarra Room Hosted by the Valley Centre

Workshop – Renewable energy in Canadian First Nations; what can we learn for Aboriginal communities in Australia

Canadian First Nations have been rebuilding their communities over the past 15 years with successful renewable energy projects that are bringing pride and increasing the wellbeing of each community. These successful hydro and solar projects represent not only the critical importance of clean energy, but the central role the natural world plays; a force that has guided and inspired these nations for thousands of years. This connection to the power of the natural systems that govern all life, are at the heart of these projects. It is with this understanding that these communities plan 100 years into the future for their children and their children’s children.

Workshop leads Chief Gordon Planes and Melina Laboucan-Massimo will focus on the possibilities and potential of renewable energy in First Nations communities. What are the ownership models? What technology is most appropriate? How do you ensure tangible outcomes beyond technical installations that bring real solutions for the communities? What are the specific policies that have enabled the success and number of projects to get over the line? In short, what can we learn from Canadian Nation’s success for communities here in Australia.

If you’re working with sustainable projects in communities across Australia, have a particular interest in social justice or know a community that is interested in renewable energy; then come along and hear first hand how it can be done. A hands on, practical, informative, inspirational session on all the possible ways renewable energy can empower, rebuild, upskill, increase resilience in community.

PRESENTERS Chief Gordon Planes Melina Laboucan-Massimo

Gordon’s traditional name is Melina is Lubicon Cree from HYA-QUATCHA, named after his Northern Alberta. She has worked great grandfather from Scia-new, on social, environmental and (CHEE-A-NEW), THE SALMON climate justice issues for the past 15 PEOPLE. He has been elected years. She has studied and worked Chief of T’Sou-ke (SAA- UKE) nation in Brazil, Australia, Mexico, and for the last 8 years. Gordon has previously been a Canada focusing on resource extraction, media literacy logger, commercial fisherman, pipe fitter by trade and and Indigenous treaty rights. For the past 9 years she’s a manager with Federal parks on Vancouver Island. worked against tar sands expansion as a Climate & Gordon is a Coast Salish artist and carver, traditional Energy campaigner with Greenpeace and the Indigenous singer and captain of T’Sou-ke (SAA-UKE) traditional Environmental Network internationally. She recently dug-out canoes. Gordon and his wife, Marcella live in finished her Masters degree in Indigenous Governance the village of SCIA-O-SUN, they have 6 children and at the University of Victoria with a focus on Renewable 6 grand-children. He is actively working closely with Energy in First Nation communities. This past summer the community with renewable energy, food and she completed a 20.8kW solar installation in her home water security, cultural renaissance and Economic community of Little Buffalo in the heart of the tar sands. Development. She serves as a 350.org board member and is on the steering committee for the Energy Futures Lab. 36 Breakout #2

BUILDING community & political support for your project skill-up, Condell Room Hosted by the Community Power Agency

Is building a stronger community of renewable energy supporters an aim of your project? Are you having trouble getting the backing of your local representatives of whatever political stripe? Come join us for this session to explore why it’s so important to build community and political support for your community energy project – and what that looks and feels like.

We’ll be talking about what it takes to get deep community ownership and grow your team from a handful of hardworking legends to a town hall full of people playing a meaningful role in making your project happen. We’ll also talk about what it would take to overcome political barriers that are holding your project back and how you can persuade your councillors, MPs and other gatekeepers to champion your cause – or work around them if they just don’t get it.

We will hear about inspiring real world examples and discuss some techniques and resources to help you take your project to the next level.

Guest speakers and trainers include Louise Bench from Pingala, Leigh Ewbank from Friends of the Earth and Jane Stabb from Environment Victoria.

PRESENTERS Jarra Hicks Taegen Edwards Founding Director, Community Steering Committee, Solar Power Agency Citizens

As well as working at Community Taegen is a community organiser Power Agency, Jarra is a PhD with almost a decade of experience Candidate at the University of NSW. working on community-led climate She has been involved in many different community action initiatives. At Solar Citizens she worked to energy projects and campaigns, giving her a rich support a large national network of solar-loving Aussies experience in community engagement and community who have become a formidable political force to organising. Among other things, her research explores protect and grow solar. Taegen previously worked in how community participation and empowerment public policy, training and research roles. She helped are facilitated through community energy projects, establish the Yarra Community Solar project and specifically looking at the impact of choices made around recently worked on the Smart Energy Communities community engagement practices, legal structure and campaign aiming to get cross-party support for strong economic arrangements. community renewable policies.

37 Breakout #3 Day 3, 2:15PM

Back to the Future Part II The Main-stream – Main Hall Hosted by the Institute for Sustainable Futures & Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning

Going deep – delivering 100% local renewables

With the Paris Agreement in place, the challenge to deliver a zero carbon future by the middle of this century is on the table. Community energy groups are stepping up to lead this transformation from the ground up. This session will offer the opportunity to hear, debate, and seek inspiration on how community energy will intersect with innovative technologies and business models for coordinated local delivery of zero net energy or 100% renewable approaches. You’ll hear from leading communities at the coalface, and experts on deep and rapid energy efficiency delivery, community bioenergy, and tackling transport and mobility challenge through electric vehicles.

PRESENTERS Dylan Gower Genevieve Barlow CLEAN Cowra Communications and Engagement Director, Renewable Newstead Dylan Gower, a local architect is one of the drivers of the CLEAN Cowra Renewable Newstead is working Inc. initiative. CLEAN Cowra Inc is on a commercially viable model advocating for a community-based, for switching the town’s stationary decentralised, aggregated Biomass- energy supply to grid-connected, to-Energy model. This is based on creating a localised, locally generated, renewable energy. In 2015 was circular economy around existing local agribusiness granted $200,000 by the Victorian Government to and industry with the support of local government. develop this model. Newstead, has a population of By developing an appropriate community enterprise about 800 with about another 500 or so living in the model to meet these aims, CLEAN Cowra believes surrounding area. In 2009, a town summit nominated by encompassing those three aspects, this can be energy as a key focus for change. Since then a group of replicated in other regional communities and stimulate locals has worked steadily on how to make the switch. regional economic development.

38 Richard Keech Dr John McKibbin Member, Alternative Technology Research Principal, Institute for Association Sustainable Futures Richard is an engineer, consultant John focuses on applying data and author with particular interest science, simulation and web in clean tech. He has masters technology to support sustainability degrees in both Engineering policy, planning and design. At (Electronics) and Environment (Energy Efficiency). ISF John has worked with a wide range of clients Richard has nine years lived experience of hybrids including councils, energy networks, water utilities, and and EVs, having been a very early adopter of electric governments across Australia. More recently John has vehicles. He bought his first EV in 2008 and his second led the development of Ecologic – an app and cloud- in 2014. Richard was a contributor to Beyond Zero based platform to help councils and community groups Emissions’ 2016 report on electric vehicles. deliver mass energy audit and retrofit campaigns. John will lead a discussion on the potential of new Deane Belfield technologies to enable innovative community energy Mt Alexander Sustainability Group efficiency campaigns. Dean is the principal of ECO2Sys, a sustainability consultancy and an active member of MASG, helping to develop practical initiatives towards the community’s 2025 ZNET vision. Deane firmly believes that communities possess untapped local potential to meet their own resource and energy needs. Prior to establishing ECO2Sys, Deane spent 20 years with global blue-chip companies, including Siemens and PriceWaterhouse Coopers where he held senior roles. He has also been a postgraduate lecturer at Monash, LaTrobe, Swinburne and RMIT universities.

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Working with Retailers GROWTH THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS , Condell Room Hosted by Moreland Energy Foundation

This session puts innovative energy retailer partnerships sharply in focus, to understand how partnerships between community energy groups / projects and retailers can be created for mutual benefit. We’ll hear from a variety of retailers on the partnership models they are rolling out that have big potential to accelerate community energy and there will be an opportunity to hear from community energy groups on the way they are partnering with retailers.

There are many options available to working with retailers including entering into a power purchase agreement, which reduces the risk of energy market fluctuations for exported energy from community energy projects, providing billing and licensing support and delivering social benefit through a community ownership model.

There’ll be plenty of time for questions and to discuss potential partnership arrangements directly with our panel which includes Congress sponsors Powershop and Energy Locals and community owned retailer Enova!

PRESENTERS

Adrian Merrick Alison Crook AO Founder, Energy Locals Chairperson, Enova

Adrian has gained over 15 years Alison is one of the founders of experience in energy retail roles. Enova Community Energy Ltd, a After returning to Australia, he social enterprise that is Australia’s spent four years running one of first community-owned energy the country’s largest energy retailers where he led the retailer. Alison has had an interesting and varied company into the Federal Government’s Smart Grid career. This has included such diverse roles as: tutor in Smart City trial. Adrian decided to put his experience to philosophy at Flinders University, Australian Volunteer good use in a way that would help achieve outcomes International in PNG, NSW State Librarian, Director for customers that are difficult for the major energy General State & Regional Development (NSW) and companies to deliver. This led to founding Energy Deputy Vice Chancellor Resources Monash University. Locals Adrian was born and raised in Australia, moved Along the way she has been named as Australian to the UK as a teenager and joined the Air Force aged Business Woman of the Year, and Australian Business 16. He caught up on studying later and holds an MBA Leader of the Year (Professions), been awarded an AO from London Business School. for services to public administration and a Centenary Medal for services to business.

40 Breakout #3

Ed McManus Gavin Ashley CEO, Powershop Australia and Principal, Moreland Energy Meridian Energy Australia Foundation

After a career as a medical research Gavin is an experienced scientist, working in the media consultant who has worked in the industry, working for realestate. development and sustainability com.au in roles across sales and marketing, operations, sectors for over a decade. A and pricing strategy, Ed then made the decision to planner by qualification – he holds a post-graduate do something that would positively impact the future diploma in Social Science (Planning and Environment). of his children’s lives and sought out an opportunity Gavin works for the non-for-profit Moreland Energy in the renewable energy space. This led to his leap Foundation heading up their consultancy operations to Powershop, ranked by Greenpeace as Australia’s and taking a lead role in community energy reduction greenest energy company (2014 & 2015). Ed is excited and renewables strategic work. Gavin project managed by the challenge of trying to make a connection with the Zero Net Energy Town project, participated in customers in an industry where trust is currently low. the development and workshop component of the But it’s also the idea of being a part of a business that Community Energy Guide for Victorians and is a strives to have a positive impact on the future of the member of the C4CE Steering Committee and Surf planet that pushes him daily. Coast Renewable Energy Taskforce.

41 Day 2, 2:15pm

Empowering vulnerable communities Enrgy Justice, Yarra room Hosted by the Brotherhood of St Laurence

A facilitated panel and participant discussion about the ways in which low income, locked-out and vulnerable Australians are experiencing the energy transition, and key options and examples of solutions to improve their participation in this transition.

PRESENTERS Damian Sullivan Franziska Mey, Director Senior Manager, Brotherhood of St Community Power Agency Laurence Franziska has degrees in Political Damian Sullivan leads the BSL’s Science and Regional Development Energy, Equity and Climate from German Universities. Change program, he has extensive After working at WWF Germany experience working on the energy coordinating international efficiency, energy affordability and climate change sustainable regional development projects, she and their relationship to low income and vulnerable moved to Australia in 2011 and got involved in the households. Highlights of his work include: the $3.7 community energy sector. Franziska was a key part million home energy efficiency upgrade program of CPA’s Renewables for All project that looked at the (HEEUP), leading BSL’s policy work to improve energy models supporting vulnerable households to access efficiency policy, contributing to cutting edge research the benefits of clean energy. Franziska is also a PhD on energy poverty in Australia and the Victorian Energy student at UNSW focusing on institutional drivers for Efficiency Target scheme. community energy projects in Denmark, Germany and Australia.

42 Breakout #3

43 Places to eat

Sharing a meal facilitates the sharing of ideas. While it gives us great pleasure to provide morning and afternoon tea at the Congress, in the interest of keeping tickets affordable, we’ve decided not to provide lunch. We’ve elected instead to facilitate informal lunchtime meet-ups at cafes and eateries close to the Melbourne Town Hall on both days of the Congress. The following map shows great nearby food venues.

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E ON S LL ST MELB. T TOWN 3 HALL T 2 5 INS S COLL

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7 9 8 6

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1. Café Animano 2. Laurent Bakery Boulangerie Patisserie 3. Sensory Lab 9. Hopetoun Tea Rooms 4. Switchboard 10. Time Out Cafe Fed Square 5. 1932 Cafe & Restaurant 11. The Quarter on Degraves 6. Sushi Hub Swanston For more information about the meet-up topics at the 7. Maccaroni Trattoria Italiana different food venues, head to the Information Desk in the 8. Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen main Foyer.

44 PARTNERS

Organising the Community Energy Congress has been a massive collaborative effort. We’d like to acknowledge those partners organisations that have gone above and beyond to help Congress 2017 a success. Thank you.

hepburn wind community energy

Sustainability

This year’s Community Energy Congress is powered by GreenPower accredited renewable energy. Electricity has been sourced from Hepburn Wind through Community Green and their retailer – Powershop. As a result, the electricity used by this event has no net greenhouse gas emissions.

Printing for this program is completely carbon neutral, and the paper is 100% recycled. Every effort has been made to minimise packaging, food miles and general waste at the event.

45 SPONSORS

A big thanks to the Sponsors of the Community Energy Congress, without whom this event would not have been possible.

PLATINUM

46 silver

BRONZE

BUSINESS COUNCIL OF CO-OPERATIVES AND MUTUALS c4ce.net.au/congress