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AGENDA AT A GLANCE
Session | Room | 2026/7/8 morning | 2026/7/8 afternoon | 2026/7/9 morning | 2026/7/9 afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Strategic Summit | Goldfields Theatre | 09:10-12:15 | 14:00-18;05 | 09:10-12:25 | 14:00-16:55 |
Unlocking Wind Capital Forum | Eureka 3 | 09:40-12:50 | - | - | - |
Regional Development Forum | Eureka 3 | - | 14:30-17:40 | - | - |
WindGrid Transmission Forum | Eureka 3 | - | - | 09:00-12:05 | 14:00-17:05 |
Offshore WindTECH Summit | Exhibition Bays via door 8 | 10:00-12:25 | 14:05-18:05 | - | - |
Onshore WindNEXT Summit | Exhibition Bays via door 8 | - | - | 09:30-12:40 | - |
WINDGRID TRANSMISSION AGENDA
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Connecting Renewables, Empowering Grids
The WindGrid Transmission Forum unites industry leaders and experts to tackle Australia’s renewable energy transmission challenges—from strategic planning and investment to advanced technologies, offshore wind integration, and grid flexibility—delivering practical solutions for a reliable, high-capacity, and future-ready energy network.
DAY 2 Morning
09:00 - 09:05
05 mins
Forum Opening
09:05 - 09:25
20 mins
[Keynote] The Transmission Challenge: Australia’s Path to Unlocking 150+ GW of Wind, Solar and Energy Storage Potential
09:25 - 09:45
20 mins
[Keynote] Shaping Victoria’s Transmission Future: Building the Backbone for Renewable Energy Zones
Adele McCarthy
Executive Director, Strategy & Planning
VicGrid
09:45 - 10:25
40 mins
[Panel] From Corridors to Connection Points – Strategic Transmission Planning for Renewable Energy Zones (REZs)
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Designing Efficient Transmission Corridors – Planning routes that minimize environmental impact and maximize reliability.
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Grid Integration of REZs – Strategies to connect renewable energy zones to the main grid effectively.
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Technology and Innovation in Transmission – Role of smart grids, HVDC lines, and digital tools for optimized network management.
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Policy, Regulation & Investment – Aligning government frameworks and financing mechanisms to accelerate REZ development.
Stephanie McDougall
Head of Policy and Regulation
Tilt Renewables
Claire Cass
Executive Director, Access and Connections
VicGrid
Rachel Hayden
Director, Network Access
EnergyCo
Matthew Dickie
APAC Head of Regulatory Affairs
RWE
10:25 - 10:45
20 mins
[Keynote] Planning the Future Transmission Network: Enabling Renewable Integration and Reliable Connections in Western Australia
Ben Bristow
Head of Grid Transformation
Western Power
Morning Break
11:25 - 12:05
40 mins
[Panel] Beyond Wires: Unlocking Grid Capacity & System Security through Transmission Technologies and Grid-Scale Storage
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Grid-scale storage as a non-network solution to defer or complement new transmission
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Using storage and advanced technologies to manage congestion and curtailment
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The role of batteries in system strength, frequency control, and coal retirement
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Lessons from Europe and APAC in integrating storage into transmission planning
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Regulatory and investment considerations for storage as grid infrastructure
Lunch & networking break
DAY 2 Afternoon
14:00 - 14:20
20 mins
[Keynote] Digital Twins and AI for Smarter Grid Operation in High-Renewables Systems
14:20 - 15:00
40 mins
[Panel] Integrating Offshore Wind into the National Grid – Regulatory and Technical Pathways
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Grid Connection & Infrastructure Planning – Optimizing transmission routes, substations, and interconnectors for offshore wind.
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Regulatory Frameworks & Market Design – Policies, permits, and market mechanisms that facilitate smooth integration.
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Technical Solutions for Grid Stability – HVDC systems, reactive power management, and frequency control to handle variable generation.
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Forecasting, Monitoring & Digital Tools – Using predictive analytics, SCADA, and real-time monitoring to support reliable grid operations.
15:00 - 15:40
40 mins
[Panel] Unlocking Transmission Business Models & Investment Opportunities – Powering the Next Generation Grid
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Innovative Financing Models — unlocking private and institutional capital for large-scale grid projects.
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Public–Private Partnerships — redefining roles to share risk and accelerate delivery.
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Regulatory and Market Design — creating certainty for investors while ensuring fair returns.
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Integrating Renewables at Scale — transmission as the backbone of Australia’s clean energy future.
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Regional Growth Opportunities — enabling communities to benefit from new grid infrastructure.
Richard Pawlik
General Manager, Contestable Connections
AusNet
Darren Brown
Co-MD, Renewables Australia
Octopus Investments
17:00 - 17:05
05 mins