Australia 4.0 - Powering the Future: Standards for Batteries and the Grid

Powering the Future: Standards for Batteries and the Grid

Australia 4.0 national roundtable

Australia 4.0 is an initiative of the Pearcey Foundation to help Australia develop a consistent approach to the digital and data enablement of the energy transition.

• In 2023, our series of nine national discussions canvassed the issues and explored the implications.

• In 2024, our workshops were focused on driving the next generation of Australian ICT enabled solutions by looking at the intersection of consumer agency, regulation and digitalisation.

• In 2025 we are continuing the effort to conceive and realise a consumer-centric grid, which can empower consumers and buoy our economy.

This is a constructive effort to bring together all stakeholders to have the discussions we need to have to best meet these challenges for our nation.

Customer - ICT - Innovation - Australian

and asking the questions:

1. What are the opportunities for making energy storage more accessible and useable?
2. What are the broad areas upon which standards should focus?
3. What are the characteristics/features of a modern grid?
4. What are the advanced ICT technologies that will most help realise that modern grid?
5. Time for the energy transition is short!! Which areas are most important??

In 2023, Australia 4.0 identified that one of the major opportunities for accelerating the transition to renewable electricity is the use of advanced ICT solutions, including sophisticated, pervasive and interoperable storage. These technologies create the potential for a customer-centric grid, which can empower customers in their energy choices and usage. On-premises, neighbourhood, community and network level storage can be used to level out intermittent renewable energy supply and the variability of energy demand. There is opportunity to develop new approaches to planning and implementation of new energy solutions, such as designing shared energy storage services for communities, taking into account increased electrification of transport and household utilities.

This session will explore the role of standards in shaping the energy transition for Australia. We will cover progress in battery standards, future plans, and international collaboration on standardisation. The keynote speakers will discuss key trends, including community batteries, grid-connected storage, digitisation, and demand response, examining their impact on consumers and the grid.

Presentations will be followed by facilitated discussion with the Roundtable leaders and experts, then Q&A with the audience in-person and online.

Agenda:

• Tea & coffee networking – arrive at 9:30 for a 10am start
• Welcome - by Pearcey Foundation
• Introductions
• Roundtable – Part 1 – Presentations and Q&A with Roundtable
  • Connecting globally: Standards Australia role in energy and grid solutions – Carlita Warren, Head of Engagement, Standards Australia
  • Building the foundations: battery work to date - Scott Brownlaw, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Standards Australia
  • Shaping the future:Standards Australia sector plan overview - George Sfinas, Engagement Manager, Standards Australia
  • Powering Tomorrow: The future of batteries, digitisation and consumer impact on the grid - Rob Amphlett Lewis, Group Executive - Distributed Services & PLUS ES, Ausgrid
    
• Roundtable – Part 2 – Facilitated Roundtable discussions, including Q&A from audience
• Wrap up – Next Steps – Close
• Light lunch & Networking – 12:00-1:00

Australia needs a consistent and proactive approach to get to Net Zero.The current debate is fractured, especially in considering the use of digital technology in our infrastructure. Working with partners such as Standards Australia, Australia 4.0 seeks to create a constructive space for this important dialogue.

The Pearcey Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1998 in memory of a great Australian ICT pioneer Dr Trevor Pearcey. The Foundation operates broadly across the Australian Information Computing and Telecommunication (ICT) sector, from celebrating achievements through national and state awards, to being involved in debate and public policy on critical national issues such as productivity, the digital economy and national infrastructure.