In your role at Gentrack, what are the big questions that keep you up at night right now?

The Energy sector is changing fast and wants to move even faster. We’ve got a lot happening in Australia with the rise of rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicles and changing customer expectations. The big question for Gentrack is: how do we make sure we’re enabling this rapid transition, not holding it back?

Technology transformations are huge, complex projects and the ones that don’t go to plan are well documented. They run over time, blow out in cost, they cause regulatory fines and brand damage or don’t deliver what was promised. We are proud of our track record in this space, but we can still do more to help utilities evolve in a smarter way, breaking down big programs into smaller, more manageable steps and keeping customer experience at the heart of it all.

We also need to ensure that everyone can take part in the energy transition. Gentrack has customers that work with remote communities in NT and WA and their efforts are making a big difference. Community batteries have a role to play here too. As the industry becomes more digital and more complex, it’s really important that energy stays fair and accessible. It can’t just be about tech-savvy customers who can afford solar and batteries.

What are the most exciting opportunities for the energy sector that could emerge before 2030?

There’s a huge shift happening in the energy sector right now and it brings some really exciting opportunities. Customers are no longer just using energy; they’re producing it too. Whether it’s through rooftop solar, batteries, electric vehicles or smart home tech, people are becoming much more active in how they use and interact with energy.

By 2030, I think we’ll see a real rise in personalised energy services. Things like dynamic pricing, flexible demand, and virtual power plants will be much more mainstream. That creates new value for customers and gives energy retailers a chance to build stronger relationships by being more responsive and transparent.

Australia is leading the way in a lot of areas, especially around regulation too. We’ve got one of the most progressive regulatory environments in the world, which is helping to drive innovation and new business models. With the election this year, there’s been even more public conversation around the future energy mix, with battery subsidies and nuclear energy both being key policies. There are plenty of differing views, and it’s a complex space.

As a technology provider, we’re focused on helping utilities evolve through all of this. That means giving them the tools to launch new products quickly, adapt to change, and better meet the needs of their customers.

With a NEM market review underway, what do you see as the most pressing areas to change?

We need a market design that truly rewards flexibility and ensures system security as we transition away from fossil fuels. That means redesigning pricing signals to better reflect the real-time value of energy and capacity, modernising settlement frameworks, and enabling more visibility and participation from DER (distributed energy resources). It’s also critical that regulatory processes don’t lag behind technology and innovation and we need faster pathways for trialling and scaling new solutions.

What innovations do you believe will have the most impact on the energy transition?

Data is going to play a massive role in how the energy transition unfolds. The ability to bring together real-time data from across the grid, use it to make smarter decisions, and give customers more visibility and control is a real game changer. Whether it’s through better forecasting, personalised services or faster response to outages, data helps make the whole system smarter and more efficient.

We’re also seeing the rise of composable platforms, which make it much easier for energy retailers to roll out new digital products and services quickly. That kind of flexibility is going to be key as customer needs and market conditions keep changing.

Another big area is what’s happening at the grid edge. Behind-the-meter technology, like smart inverters and home energy management systems, is evolving fast. But what’s really exciting is the potential of large-scale virtual power plants. We’re moving beyond small pilots now and starting to see how thousands of distributed devices can be orchestrated together to support the grid, reduce peak demand, and create new revenue streams for customers. That’s where the future is heading, and it’s happening faster than a lot of people think.

What’s the one thing in the energy sector that no one is talking about, but should be?

The digital skills gap. We talk a lot about infrastructure and regulation, but not enough about the human capability needed to drive this transformation. As the sector becomes increasingly data-driven, we need more people with the skills to manage complex tech ecosystems, really understand customer behaviour, and innovate in real time. Investing in talent, culture, and cross-sector collaboration will be just as important as investing in physical assets.