2022 Industry Innovation Award
This award is in recognition of leadership in the design, development and application of a ground-breaking Australian energy network initiative, technology, service, or solution. It may apply to asset management, distributed energy resources, operations, environment, business models, customer solutions and engagement or a range of other ways in which a business has developed an innovative solution for the energy network sector in Australia.
In 2022 the winner was Endeavour Energy for its application ‘Using a Network Digital Twin for Digital Emergency Response and Resilience.’ The Digital Twin is a 3D digital model of Endeavour Energy’s footprint including topography and network assets, along with flood modelling capabilities. This allows for near real time information in the event of a major incident such as flood or fire and for longer term planning of the grid such as infrastructure builds and vegetation management.
Innovation Award judging panel
Chair: Dominic Adams, GM Networks, Energy Networks Australia (ENA)
Gavin Dufty, Manager Policy and Research, St Vincent de Paul Society
Violette Mouchaileh, EGM, Emerging Markets & Services Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Darren Gladman, Director, Distributed Energy, Clean Energy Council
Rachele Williams – GM Projects, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
Benn Barr, CEO, Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC)
2022 Industry Consumer Engagement Award
Run jointly by ENA and Energy Consumers Australia, this award recognises an Australian energy network that demonstrates best practice consumer engagement.
AusNet Services, Australian Gas Networks and Multinet Gas Networks (AGIG) won the 2022 Consumer Engagement Award for the Victorian gas networks’ joint submission ‘Three businesses, one plan to deliver better outcomes for Victorian customers.’ By involving all three gas distribution businesses, a clear and consistent engagement plan was able to be produced, providing a single forum to discuss issues of importance to the sector.
Customer Engagement Award judging panel
Chair: Lynne Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer, Energy Consumers Australia (ECA)
Michelle Shepherd, Commissioner, Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC),
Merryn York, Executive General Manager, System Design, Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
Robyn Robinson, Non-executive Director, Council on the Ageing (COTA)
Gavin Dufty, Manager Policy and Research, St Vincent De Paul Society,
Mark Henley, Manager Advocacy and Energy Advocate, Uniting Care Australia
Catriona Lowe, Board Member, Australian Energy Regulator (AER)
2022 Individual Contribution Award
The Industry Contribution award is an opportunity to recognise exceptional individual contributions for activities or other initiatives undertaken on behalf of the networks sector by a member of an ENA Committee. Energy industry veteran Laurie Curro from Western Australia’s Horizon Power won Energy Networks Australia’s 2022 Industry Contribution Award. Laurie was recognised for his contribution and commitment to the energy industry, in particular power transmission and distribution in WA over the past 30 years.
Laurie was a member of ENA’s Asset Management Committee for many years and has made a significant contribution to smart grids development, standards, distributed generation, network management, safety and asset management. Laurie made an outstanding contribution to the development and operation of the Southwest Interconnected System (with Western Power) and regional networks (with Horizon Power). He is well recognised as an industry leader in operational and control centre management. Laurie has been a highly effective conduit between WA and the east coast.
Laurie’s passion and industry leadership extends to promotion of STEM and young engineer development through collaborations with academia, Engineers Australia, the Electric Energy Society and the Western Australian community more broadly. His retirement this year represents a major loss to the sector. It is a most appropriate recognition of his many years’ service for him to be the 2022 Industry Contribution Award winner.