SA Power Networks’ Head of Networks Strategy James Brown has been awarded the Energy Networks Individual Contribution Award for 2024.  

Presented at Energy Networks Australia (ENA’s) annual Dinner + Awards, the award recognises significant achievements and contribution by an individual, outside of rank or specialty.  

James’ ‘Flexible Exports’ initiative is credited with seeing the rollout of a world-first flexible solar connection offer which is designed to maximise customer benefit. 

James is also the lead architect behind the design of SA Power Networks’ Consumer Energy Resource (CER) management systems.  

ENA CEO Dom van den Berg said that James’ work is a case study on the impact an individual can have on our sector.  

“The incredible impact of James’ initiative points to a multidisciplinary approach, including technical and engineering skills alongside internal change and external stakeholder engagement. 

We are now seeing Flexible Exports adopted across many other jurisdictions and has received significant international attention from other utilities. And perhaps even more notably, it has helped SA Power Networks double the amount of solar it can support in the networks.” 

Upon winning, James said: “I am extremely proud of our innovative approach to ensuring South Australian customers get as much benefit as possible from rooftop solar.” 

“Leading the Flexible Exports project was an incredible opportunity and I’m excited to see it being adopted throughout Australia and capturing global attention.” 

James began as a Graduate Electrical Engineer with SA Power Networks in 2016, before focusing on Future Network Engineering and the integration of Distributed Energy Resources.  

The winners were announced at the Energy Networks Australia Annual Dinner along with the Industry Innovation Award, Consumer Engagement Award and inaugural Women in Networks Award.