Shaping Australia’s future grid: From diverse perspectives to a shared vision
More than 40 executive decision-makers and emerging trailblazers came together in Sydney on 24 and 25 June 2026 to develop shared visions for Australia’s future electricity system and to identify the practical steps required to get there.
The two-day Summit was designed to go beyond the usual speeches and panel discussions. Participants were challenged to work directly with one another to explore the future of Australia’s electricity system and translate research and workshop concepts into actionable transition pathways.
A staged, cross-sector journey
Building whole-of-system alignment requires engaging leaders across every stage of the energy sector without adding to formal process load. The Consumer Grid Summit builds momentum through a staged model.
Engagement with senior leaders
Structured interviews with senior leaders from consumer advocacy, market bodies, policy and industry identified areas of alignment, tension and opportunity across the system.
Grid Transformation Masterclasses
Collaborative sessions engaged current and emerging leaders to test assumptions, build system capability and examine the practical tensions involved in transforming a live grid.
The Consumer Grid Summit
An intensive, cross-sector Summit brought executive decision-makers and emerging trailblazers together to translate research and Masterclass insights into shared visions and transition pathways.
Participating organisations
The Summit featured leaders from across policy, government, regulation, energy networks, retail, technology, consumer advocacy, industry and research.
Policy, governance and regulation
Australian Energy Market Commission
Australian Energy Market Operator
Australian Energy Regulator
Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
SEC Victoria
Technology and service providers
Energy Catalyst
Emel Consulting
Schneider Electric
Tesla
Waypoint Energy
Consumer advocacy, peak bodies and research
Boundless Earth
Energetics Communities Association
Energy Consumers Australia
Energy Efficiency Council
Energy Networks Australia
Justice and Equity Centre
Pearcey Foundation
Regulatory Assistance Project
St Vincent de Paul Society
The Energy Charter
CSIRO
Electric Power Research Institute
Monash University
QUT
UNSW
USYD
UTS
Strategic foresight: A future-back methodology
Rather than allowing short-term constraints to restrict long-term ambition, the Summit used the internationally recognised Three Horizons Framework. Facilitated by Professor Chris Riedy, Mark Paterson and Dr Bill Lilley, cross-sector teams worked through a structured future-back process.
Horizon 1
Deconstructing today’s friction
Participants examined where existing market structures and operating models no longer deliver for consumers, while explicitly identifying what must be preserved to keep the lights on during transition.
Horizon 3
Designing the 2040 consumer grid
Participants envisioned a thriving energy system where the consumer experience is simple and intuitive, while complex balancing operates seamlessly in the background.
Discussions challenged assumptions around future living, from equitable access for all Australians regardless of housing arrangement to preparing for unexpected system disruptions.
Horizon 2
Reverse-engineering the pathway
Using backcasting techniques, participants worked from 2040 to today.
Teams confronted hard operational realities, including resolving who pays, defining necessary new services, targeting investment and establishing near-term regulatory and policy priorities.
Productive tensions and respectful challenge
A shared vision does not require agreeing on every detail. The Summit intentionally brought contrasting perspectives to the same table.
Network, technical and regulatory expertise rigorously tested commercial feasibility, while consumer advocacy kept the dialogue anchored to fairness, trust and lived experience.
By creating space for respectful challenge, participants tested long-held assumptions, worked through trade-offs and converted complex provocations into clear areas of sector alignment.
Forthcoming publication
The Consumer Grid Summit Report
The insights, future visions and transition pathways generated throughout the Masterclasses and Summit are being synthesised into a final report.
Releasing later this year, the report will offer a whole-of-sector reference point to help decision-makers navigate the next phase of Australia’s energy transition with greater clarity and confidence.
