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EEC Award Winners 2024
Australia’s energy management community gathered to celebrate 2024’s best and brightest in the energy management sector.
We’ve been thrilled to pay tribute to organisations such as Climateworks, SwitchDin, Thermal Energy Solutions and Mac Trade Services, and individuals like Jeremy Watson who’ve done so much to grow their sectors over the years.
We’re also delighted to celebrate the vitality of newcomers and upstarts such as Alistair Matcott, who are bringing vision from leftfield while delivering a shot of energy to sectors always in need of it.
So without further ado, this year’s winners:
EEC leading energy management project: commercial
Thermal Energy Solutions and Energy Smart Water’s work on the
Kooyong Port Philip Estate Winery
Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate winery are focused on sustainable winemaking and are eradicating gas usage across their facilities as well as utilising renewables for electricity. They have taken advantage of solar PV for on-site operations and implemented demand response strategies to channel excess energy into storage to be used in times of peak demand. Combined with cutting-edge commercial heat pump technology, they have harnessed the energy management potential of their site and are reaping the rewards of energy efficiency and demand response throughout their operations.
EEC leading energy management project: industrial
Hoctor Industrial Refrigeration’s Industrial Ammonia Heat Pump
Retrofitting an efficient heat pump to an existing ammonia refrigeration system allowed the heat recovered from the existing system to be harnessed, significantly reducing the gas requirements to generate hot water at the site. Ensuring the needs of the industrial processes on site were met, Hoctor capitalised on existing equipment and applied it with new technology to help their client get off gas and improve their overall energy efficiency.
EEC leading energy management project: residential
Climateworks’ Renovation Pathways
Climateworks Centre’s Renovation Pathways project developed a comprehensive set of clear, cost-effective ways to upgrade existing homes to be climate ready. The work covered 16 different archetypes of real Australian houses, covering around 80 per cent of houses and townhouses, showing reductions in energy bills and emissions, as well as reduced grid demand. Partnered with evidence-informed policy recommendations, the Renovation Pathways project provides a framework for all homes to become thermally efficient with all-electric efficient appliances and rooftop solar and is already having significant impact in with policy-makers.
EEC leading energy management government program
ACT Government Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme
The Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme is a commitment from the ACT Government to improve building energy efficiency for social housing and low-income owner occupiers to reduce energy hardship. The program helps with gas to electric appliance upgrades, as well as ceiling insulation upgrades in over 3800 public and community housing properties. Through this program, the ACT Government are working to deliver positive environmental, social and economic impacts for the Canberra community, including improved mental wellbeing and thermal comfort within high performing homes that deliver reduced energy bills.
EEC leading energy management innovation: Winner
Flow Power’s Building Intelligent Demand Response in South Australia
To improve grid reliability as part of South Australia’s demand management trials program, Flow Power has worked with 40 businesses to develop custom demand response systems with bespoke technology, hardware and training. This has allowed sites and machines to automatically respond to market events by leveraging algorithms and site information, resulting in cost-effective demand response solutions. Flow Power’s trademark energy management technology, kWatch, enables careful balancing of supply and demand with minimal manual intervention, and has allowed them to be innovative with their solutions to improve grid reliability.
EEC leading energy management innovation: Highly Commended
SwitchDin’s Renewable Energy SaaS platform
SwitchDin is a renewable energy platform that securely communicates with and controls solar systems, batteries and loads to deliver performance intelligence and remote management capabilities. The platform has empowered clients to achieve reductions in energy use by leveraging their real-time data and optimising their consumption patterns. Their innovative demand management solutions ensures renewable energy is maximised, while reducing energy bills for clients.
EEC inclusion champion
MAC Trade Services
MAC Trade Services are committed to fostering a work environment that celebrates diversity, promotes inclusion and drives innovation. Through equitable recruitment processes, unlimited sick leave, flexible working arrangements and salary equity, MAC has been able to stand as a beacon of diversity and inclusion in the energy sector. Employees at MAC reflect a range of different backgrounds, cultures and experiences which contribute to the rich work environment they have been able to achieve.
Acknowledging the energy sector is male dominated has allowed the female-led organisation to implement targeted changes to their recruitment processes ensuring all candidates are given a fair go, regardless of where they come from or who they know. With an extremely low employee turnover rate, their passion for inclusion is made clear through employee happiness and productivity. Their inclusive practices have made sure the workplace is a community where every voice is heard and valued.
EEC energy management young champion
Alastair Matcott
Using his passion, creativity and insight, Alastair is the project manager of the Better Homes and Carbon initiative – a project focused on combining education with landlord and tenant partnerships that can lead to improvements in comfort, sustainability and cost of living pressures for renters and low-income earners. Leveraging his own experience as a renter, Alastair has been able to authentically engage with stakeholders both at the local level and nationally with various speaking opportunities, including making a huge impression at the EEC’s Energy Performance Summit last November. His determination to make a difference for low-income earners and renters has led the project to success that will continue as he expands to include more landlords and tenants and strive for better outcomes in the sector.
EEC energy management champion
Jeremy Watson
As a champion of industry excellence and safety in insulation, Jeremy Watson advocates for increased standards of quality and safety in the insulation industry. A respected member of many industry associations including Insulation Australasia, the Australian Modern Building Alliance and the Energy Efficiency Council, Jeremy donates many hours of his time to campaign work and supporting small insulation businesses by providing expert advice. He also leads the technical working group of the Affiliated Insulation Industry Coalition, ensuring other stakeholders can benefit from his extensive knowledge and experience. Jeremy exemplifies a high standard within the insulation industry with his own business, and has a passion for improving thermal performance in Australian homes.
Congratulations to all on this well-deserved recognition.
