Program

Future Energy Week offers delegates exclusive access to three immersive site tours, providing a behind-the-scenes look at some of South Australia's most innovative energy infrastructure, technologies and research capabilities.

These guided experiences connect conference discussions with real-world projects, showcasing the people, facilities and innovations helping shape the future of energy.

Tour Options:

🔹 HypSA Electrolyser Tour
Explore Australia's first publicly accessible hydrogen production, storage and demonstration facility. Discover how green hydrogen technologies are being developed, tested and deployed to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

🔹 SA Power Networks Network Innovation Centre Tour
Gain insights into the technologies and strategies enabling the modern electricity network. Learn how innovation, digitalisation and distributed energy resources are transforming the way electricity is managed and delivered.

🔹 CleanPeak Energy Big Battery Tour
Step inside one of South Australia's large-scale battery energy storage facilities and learn how energy storage is supporting renewable integration, grid stability and the transition to a more flexible energy system.

These tours provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with industry experts, see cutting-edge infrastructure up close and gain a deeper understanding of the innovations driving the energy transition.

As Future Energy Week celebrates its fifth year, we bring together industry leaders, innovators, researchers, policymakers, investors and communities to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping our energy future.

Over the past five years, South Australia has continued to strengthen its position as a global leader in the clean energy transition, demonstrating how innovation, collaboration and ambition can drive meaningful change. As the sector enters a new phase of growth, the conversations and partnerships formed this week will play an important role in shaping the next chapter of that journey.

Join Mayor Kris Hanna and Future Energy Week Founder and Director Quentin Roberts as they officially open Future Energy Week 2026. Together, they will reflect on the evolution of the event over its first five years, celebrate the achievements of South Australia's energy ecosystem, and set the agenda for Summit of a week dedicated to collaboration, innovation and action.

This opening session sets the stage for discussions on clean energy, future fuels, transport, investment, circular economy, community participation and the collective leadership required to build a prosperous and sustainable future.

South Australia has emerged as a global leader in renewable energy, but achieving the next phase of the energy transition will require unprecedented collaboration across industry, government, infrastructure, investment and consumers.

Join Simon Emms, Andrew Bills, Craig de Laine and Paul Martyn as they explore the partnerships, leadership and coordinated action needed to deliver a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy future. Drawing on their extensive experience across the energy sector, the panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead, from integrating new technologies and infrastructure to ensuring communities, businesses and investors are aligned on the journey to net zero.

This session will examine what successful collaboration looks like in practice and how South Australia can continue to lead the nation in the clean energy transition.

Australia's energy transition is moving from ambition to implementation. As the National Electricity Market evolves toward periods of 100% instantaneous renewable generation, new challenges are emerging across system security, engineering standards, operational practices, and market design.

In this keynote, Chris Davies will share AEMO's journey in preparing the NEM for future operating conditions, drawing on lessons from the Renewable Integration Study, Engineering Roadmap to 100% Renewables, and Transition Plan for System Security.

Attendees will gain insights into the engineering innovations, operational readiness initiatives, and collaborative industry efforts required to deliver a secure, reliable, and renewable-powered electricity system.

What if we could move beyond predicting the future and start designing it?

Led by Professor Ariella Helfgott, this session will introduce the principles of futures thinking and strategic foresight, exploring how these approaches can help guide decision-making in times of rapid technological, economic and social change. Through discussion and collaboration, participants will contribute to the formation of the Tonsley Accords, capturing key insights, priorities and commitments emerging from Future Energy Week.

This is an opportunity to help shape a collective roadmap for South Australia's clean energy future and ensure today's conversations translate into tomorrow's actions.

Ambitious clean energy targets are driving unprecedented levels of project activity across Australia, but turning opportunity into reality requires the right mix of investment, policy certainty and commercial execution.

Join Philip Graham and Rob Lake as they discuss the trends shaping energy project development and investment, from renewable generation and storage to emerging technologies and enabling infrastructure. Drawing on their extensive industry experience, the conversation will explore where capital is flowing, what investors are looking for, and how project proponents can navigate an increasingly competitive and complex market. Additionally, as new technologies move from pilot projects to large-scale deployment, how engineers are playing a critical role in designing, integrating and delivering the infrastructure needed to support a net-zero future.

This session will provide valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges facing Australia's next generation of energy projects and the investment landscape that will underpin the transition to a low-carbon future.

As transport electrification gathers pace, South Australia has an opportunity to lead the transition to a cleaner, more connected and more efficient mobility system.

Bringing together experts from the RAA and the Electric Vehicle Council, this session will explore the innovations, infrastructure and partnerships underpinning the future of transport. From expanding charging networks and supporting consumer adoption to integrating transport into the broader energy ecosystem, the discussion will highlight the critical role mobility plays in achieving Australia's clean energy ambitions.

This session will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the next generation of transport.

Achieving net zero is only part of the challenge. Creating a truly sustainable energy system requires thinking beyond emissions to the full lifecycle of the technologies and infrastructure that support it.

This session will examine how circular economy principles are reshaping the clean energy sector, from sustainable design and material recovery to reuse, remanufacturing and recycling. Attendees will gain insight into emerging opportunities that not only reduce environmental impact but also create new jobs, industries and competitive advantages for South Australia.

The success of the clean energy transition will depend not only on large-scale infrastructure but also on the millions of decisions made by households, businesses and communities every day.

This session examines the growing role of consumers in shaping the future energy system, from adopting distributed energy resources and electrifying homes to managing demand and participating in emerging energy markets. The discussion will explore how technology, policy and community engagement can work together to deliver a more flexible, affordable and equitable energy system that benefits all South Australians.

South Australia's clean energy success story is being written not only through major infrastructure projects and policy initiatives, but also through the passion, creativity and leadership of individuals, community groups and emerging innovators across the state.

Join us for the inaugural Green Globes Community Energy Awards, a celebration of the people, projects and partnerships delivering real-world impact in communities throughout South Australia. Recognising excellence across community energy, innovation, leadership and measurable impact, the Green Globes shine a spotlight on those accelerating the energy transition through local action and collaboration.

Presented as part of Future Energy Week 2026, this special session will showcase the finalists, acknowledge their outstanding contributions, and announce the winners of the inaugural Green Globes awards. Together, we'll celebrate the achievements of South Australia's energy changemakers and the collective effort required to build a cleaner, more resilient and more prosperous future.

As Future Energy Week 2026 draws to a close, join fellow delegates, speakers, exhibitors and industry leaders for an informal networking reception celebrating five years of collaboration, innovation and impact.

This closing session provides an opportunity to reflect on the key themes and insights emerging throughout the week, reconnect with new contacts, and continue the conversations sparked across the summit. From clean energy and future fuels to transport, community participation and circular economy initiatives, the relationships formed at Future Energy Week are an important catalyst for future partnerships and projects.

Join us as we celebrate the achievements of the sector, acknowledge the contributions of our speakers, sponsors and attendees, and look ahead to the opportunities that will shape South Australia's energy future. There will also be an exciting announcement in relation to Future Energy Week next year.