Consumer Grid Summit 2026

Shaping Australia’s Consumer‑Led Energy Future

Australia’s energy system is entering a decisive new phase.

Recent milestones across the system highlight that long-standing assumptions about how the grid operates are being overtaken, as a more distributed and consumer-led grid takes shape.

At this point, exchanges between current and emerging leaders, fresh perspectives, and collaboration across the sector are more important than ever. This is your chance to work with others at the heart of the transition to test ideas, build shared understanding, and influence what happens next.

We have deep talent across the sector, powerful new tools at our disposal, and increasing clarity about the emerging shape and potential of the power system. Yet in a system with many roles, responsibilities and formal change processes, there is a growing need for spaces that help build shared views about the future and support their translation into coherent, aligned action.

Sitting at the intersection of research, industry, innovation and policy, RACE for 2030 is well placed to bring these perspectives together in a trusted, candid environment where ideas can be tested, aligned and turned into practical progress.

This Consumer Grid Summit initiative is designed not only to advance the sector, but to equip leaders with the skills, networks and confidence needed to shape the next phase of the transition.

By building shared understanding and working together, we can exercise real agency and accelerate towards a cleaner, more affordable and more equitable energy future for all Australians.

What is the Consumer Grid Summit?

The Consumer Grid Summit will bring together current and emerging leaders to:

• Forge a shared view of the future grid Australia needs
• Develop practical options for navigating the transition
• Build sector‑wide capability to deliver an energy future that benefits all Australians

The program is running from May to June 2026 across two connected phases.

Phase I: Grid Transformation Masterclasses (Online)

A series of five interactive, expert‑led online Masterclasses that build shared understanding, provide practical transition tools, and position participants as informed, future‑ready leaders across the energy sector.

The ideas and insights gathered from these Masterclasses will directly inform the design and content of the Consumer Grid Summit.

Participants will:

• Examine the current state of Australia’s grid transition
• Explore why a whole‑of‑system, future‑back approach is now essential
• Apply futures and foresighting tools to imagine 2035 outcomes
• Test governance, regulatory, and institutional change mechanisms
• Use the Three Horizons framework to connect today’s realities with tomorrow’s possibilities

The Masterclasses commence on May 13th, and while EOI applications have now closed, we invite you to register your interest for future events.

A carefully selected shortlist of participants will be invited to progress to Phase II.

Phase II: The Consumer Grid Summit (in‑person)

A two‑day, intensive closed‑door summit for a select group of 30-35 participants, conducted under the Chatham House Rule to enable open, candid dialogue.

Participants will:

• Work in cross‑disciplinary teams supported by subject‑matter experts
• Debate and refine alternative future grid visions
• Identify “least‑regrets” pathways toward 2035
• Develop an integrated set of high‑potential transition enablers

Dates: Wed 24 June – Thursday 25 June

The Summit Report: From insight to action

The Summit culminates in a flagship actionable report.

Rather than simply diagnosing challenges, the report will:

• Articulate a shared, practical pathway forward
• Demonstrate solutions that already exist across the sector and identify research needs
• Illustrate how collaboration and the right tools unlock progress
• Complement existing policy, regulatory, and industry processes

The report is designed to build confidence that accelerating the transition is not just possible, but practical.

A moment of possibility. A new generation of leadership.

The Consumer Grid Summit program is designed for leaders who:

• Are ready to challenge assumptions and legacy thinking
• Want to build skills in futures and systems thinking
• Value collaboration across disciplines and perspectives
• Are motivated to help shape Australia’s energy future

While applications have closed for the 2026 Summit program, we invite anyone who wants to help shape Australia’s future grid to register interest for future involvement.