The Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) has announced that Californian Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister will headline the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2017 to be held on November 20-21, 2017 in Melbourne.
Andrew McAllister is an energy leader in California, a state that has been aggressively pursuing energy efficiency opportunities for over 30 years.
He is a passionate advocate for balancing the drive towards low carbon generation with smart demand side investments, to ensure energy remains affordable for businesses and households.
EEC CEO, Luke Menzel, said Commissioner McAllister’s active role in California and deep grounding in technology, policy and energy markets gives him a unique insight into the transformation taking place in energy systems around the world.
“His visit is timely. As we grapple with the long-term challenges in our gas and electricity markets, energy users are turning to the cost effective solutions that exist behind the meter – energy efficiency, demand management and distributed generation," he said.
"There is huge potential on the demand side, and much to learn from the balanced approach to supply and demand side transition championed in places like California.”
Commissioner McAllister has been a trailblazer in clean energy policy and programs for his entire 25-year career.
He has developed and operated energy efficiency initiatives for utilities, undertaken policy research for the Californian and US Governments, and ran two of California’s signature energy programs (California Solar Initiative and Self-Generation Incentive Program).
The Conference theme for 2017 – Security, Affordability, Productivity – underlines the growing recognition that smart demand side investments are the quickest and cheapest way to solve Australia's energy crisis, and keep our energy system reliable and affordable.
The National Energy Efficiency Conference 2017 takes place at the Pullman & Mercure Melbourne in Albert Park in November. Details at www.eec.org.au/neec17