Energy Networks Australia has announced the finalists for the 2021 Industry Innovation Award and the Consumer Engagement Award.
The 2021 Energy Network Awards are an opportunity to showcase the achievements of Australia’s energy network businesses in innovation and customer engagement.
There are two awards:
- The Industry Innovation Award: recognises leadership in the development and application of a ground-breaking Australian energy network initiative, solution or service
- The Consumer Engagement Award: for a network that demonstrates outstanding leadership in consumer engagement
Energy Networks Australia said it congratulates members for an extremely high standard of entries to this year’s Annual Industry Awards.
The Industry Innovation Award finalists are:
- AGIG – Hydrogen Park SA
- EQL Ergon – Maximising Distributed Energy Resources using State Estimation
- Horizon Power – Carnarvon DER trials
- Western Power – Flexibility Services Pilot
Energy Networks Australia received ten nominations for the Industry Innovation Award:
- AGIG – Hydrogen Park SA
- Ausgrid – A shared DSO vision
- United Energy – Pole-top battery expansion program
- Endeavour energy – Off Peak Plus
- Energy Queensland – Ergon Energy Network: Microgrid and isolated systems test (MIST) facility
- Energy Queensland – Ergon and Energex: Maximising Distributed Energy Resources using State Estimation
- Horizon Power – Carnarvon DER trials
- Jemena – Accelerating the renewable gas transition: Western Sydney Green Gas Project
- SA power networks – Enhanced voltage management project
- Western Power – Flexibility Services Pilot
The Consumer Engagement Award shortlisted submissions are from:
- Australian Gas Networks
- Ergon Energy
- Horizon Power
- Powerlink
ENA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon, said that while the submissions were very diverse this year for the Consumer Engagement Award, it was clear networks placed a strong focus on consumer engagement.
“It was refreshing to see networks approaching consumers and truly engaging with them to form best practice standards for network businesses,” Mr Dillion said.
Energy Consumers Australia CEO, Lynne Gallagher, said the dedication from networks to prioritise customers in their businesses was encouraging.
“Networks are engaging with a range of consumers including farmers, the vulnerable and those in remote or isolated communities and working with them to find solutions to their energy needs,” Ms Gallagher said.
“When we see innovation and ingenuity in how network businesses engage Australian householders and small businesses, not just consumers but the whole energy system benefits.”
Mr Dillon and Ms Gallagher thanked the judging panel for their time and their commitment to highlighting the hard work of the nominees.
The winners were due to be announced at the EN2021 Gala Dinner on 10 November 2021, however this has been postponed due to Coronavirus restrictions.
Energy Networks Australia is hoping to hold the event in mid-March 2022. A final decision on this will be made by the ENA Board in mid-September and new dates will be confirmed as soon as possible.
For more information on the awards, to go: https://www.energynetworks.com.au/events/2021-energy-network-industry-awards/