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Southern Highlands Future Forum

Wingecarribee Shire Council is partnering with WinZero to bring the Southern Highlands Future Forum to the highlands for the first time. The event provides a forum for our community to learn more about renewable energy, electric vehicles, rebates and incentives and how to be part of a more sustainable future. We will start the day with an update on the energy market, which will flow into more in-depth detail about the transition to electric that is essential, and other impacting sectors of the net-zero transition needed to guide us all to lower emissions living.

The event will provide the opportunity for our community to learn about:

What is happening in the energy industry, both on a global scale and locally
Everything about renewable energy, including wind, solar, batteries and more, and why this type of energy production is essential
The energy transition needed to reduce emissions from power production and to reduce demand on the power grid
How to make your home more energy efficient with better insulation and how to choose the right energy provider for you
How to save money on your energy bill, including current incentives and rebates available to you

Our speaker sessions will host speakers from University of Wollongong, Rewiring Australia, Your Energy Friend, and Endeavour Energy; see below for further information:

Future Forum Speaker Session 1 - Australia's Energy Market Update and what is our role in this energy transition?

The Southern Highlands Future Forum will be officially opened by Ty Christopher - Director Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong. Ty has experience in the Australian renewable energy sector, marked by his leadership in various high-impact projects and initiatives. He has been key to the adoption of sustainable energy solutions, using his deep knowledge of solar, wind, and battery storage technologies. Ty's career highlights include overseeing large-scale renewable energy installations, improving energy efficiency in residential and commercial properties, and working for policy changes to support the transition to green energy. He's helped create partnerships between government bodies, private enterprises, and local communities, ensuring the successful implementation of numerous renewable energy projects.

If you would like to know more about the current work Ty is involved with at the University of Wollongong head to this webpage to learn more: https://www.uow.edu.au/ancors/blue-energy-futures-lab/

Following Ty, we have Endeavour Energy who will give us a local energy grid update.

Adam Corrigan from Your Energy Friend is one of NSW's leading home energy efficiency experts having conducted over 6,000 home energy audits and worked with government, retailers and residents. Adam will cover incentives, rebates, essentials for the energy transition and more in this break.

Lastly, but not least, Miles Lochhead will share with us his journey as a local community member and all-round environmental champion. Miles is an active member of WinZero and an EV enthusiast, he also has a vast amount of experience in circular economy solutions. Miles and two other EV owners will also be there with their EVs to speak with you in the lunch break should you have any questions about being an EV owner.

Future Forum Speaker Session 2 - What can we do and who can help us be part of this energy transition?

Session 2 will be opened by John Buchelin, Project Manager at Rewiring Australia. John works on a range of projects including the Electrify 2515 project, which aims to support 500 homes in the 2515 postcode on their electrification journey. Electrify 2515 aims to be Australia's first electric community. The project is yet to be finalised, so limited information specific to this project can be shared, however there are still huge learnings to take home, which John will go through in as much detail as is possible.

Rewiring Australia aims to create sustainable, resilient communities while cutting household energy costs and improving public health by promoting electrification and renewable energy adoption in the residential sector. Their initiatives promote policy changes, and community engagement, needed to achieve a zero-emissions future and ensuring a livable planet.

With a background in sustainability, carbon accounting and electric vehicles, John plays an important role in advancing this mission. Join us to learn why this energy transition to electric is important and what you can do in your home