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Published by Greenwood Academy
Welome to The Green Room! The Greenwood Academy Podcast is a leading renewable energy podcast spotlighting the people driving Australia’s clean energy transition, hosted by industry veteran Veli Markovic, right here at our HQ in Collingwood Vic. Each episode features in-depth conversations with solar engineers, battery storage experts, electricians, energy consultants, sustainability leaders and industry innovators shaping the future of renewable energy. We unpack solar power, energy storage systems, biogas, electrification, grid technology, compliance, and emerging clean technologies with real-world insight. If you’re searching for a renewable energy podcast that goes beyond headlines and into practical expertise, The Green Room delivers trusted, industry-focused conversations for professionals, students and anyone serious about the future of sustainable energy.
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What happens when you combine an electronics expert, automated doors, and a front-row seat to the wildest volume-driven solar boom in Australian history? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Gilbert, the founder of Eureka Energy Solutions, to unpack his deeply fascinating and non-linear career path. Paul shares his journey from growing up in a working-class household in Tasmania to designing cutting-edge electronics for automated doors across the globe, and eventually stepping into the absolute chaos of the Australian residential solar market. Paul gives us an unfiltered look into his time at True Value Solar, where his operations team was pushing out an unbelievable 7 megawatts of residential installations in a single month. He reveals the sheer logistical nightmare of managing grid connections before digital portals existed, the costly reality of being a ""guinea pig"" for new inverter models, and why high-volume, low-margin business models ultimately fail. Now running his own bespoke CNI and high-end residential solar business, Paul discusses why prioritizing trust, custom solutions, and direct customer feedback is the only way to build a sustainable company in a cut-throat industry. What we cover: ✅ Growing up in Tasmania and early experiments with electronics and power supplies ✅ Designing automated security doors for banks, high courts, and international airports ✅ Why True Value Solar’s high-volume, low-price business model was ultimately doomed ✅ The chaos of early grid connections: Faxes, paper forms, and the Electricity Ombudsman ✅ The reality of inverter failures and why Australian conditions break overseas tech ✅ The vital importance of following up verbal customer conversations with written proof ✅ Transitioning from chaotic residential volume to bespoke, high-end CNI projects with Choice Energy ✅ The human cost of scaling: Why pushing installers too hard leads to burnout and fire risks ✅ How to capture actionable, immediate feedback from customers at the close of every project
What happens when finance, climate policy, China, data centres and the energy transition all collide? In this episode, we sit down with Tim Buckley, clean energy finance analyst and founder of Climate Energy Finance, for a wide-ranging conversation about the money behind the global energy transition. Tim takes us from his early career in financial research and forensic company analysis to carbon pricing, corporate governance, superannuation, ESG, Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, China's manufacturing scale, green steel, batteries, data centres and Australia's opportunity to become a clean-energy powerhouse. This is a conversation about how capital actually moves, why incentives matter, why governance matters and why the energy transition will ultimately be shaped by economics as much as engineering. What we cover: ✅ Finance vs accounting and how analysts read companies ✅ Corporate governance, CEOs and shareholder value ✅ Carbon pricing and the safeguard mechanism ✅ Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions ✅ Australia's superannuation capital and clean-energy investment ✅ China's batteries, solar, EVs, robots and manufacturing scale ✅ Green iron, green steel and Australia's export opportunity ✅ Data centres, electricity demand and renewable PPAs ✅ Batteries, grid infrastructure and electrification ✅ Why long-term thinking matters in the energy transition
Can we actually achieve sustainability under modern capitalism, or is the entire concept a "wicked problem"? In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Crosby, a true polymath: a sustainability lecturer, professional actor, musician, and author. Matthew brings an incredibly unique perspective to the environmental crisis, blending systems thinking, corporate governance, and a deep appreciation for culture and human connection. We go deep into the theory of "Wicked Problems" and the Iceberg Model, unpacking why massive global issues like hunger, climate change, and green hydrogen adoption cannot be solved with simple templates. Matthew fiercely critiques corporate greenwashing (specifically analysing BHP's recent internal leaks regarding renewable fleet electrification) and explains why government regulation is absolutely vital to keeping unbridled capitalism in check. We also explore the fundamental flaw in relying on AI to write literature, his early years acting in the golden age of Australian television, and how studying Japanese theatre and Shinto animism shaped his understanding of circularity and the deep respect for nature. What we cover: ✅ Why AI can never replace human connection and the joy of the writing process ✅ A child actor in the 1960s on iconic Australian sets like Homicide and Mame ✅ Exploring "Wicked Problems" vs. "Tame Problems": Why we can't just fix hunger ✅ The Iceberg Model: Finding leverage points beneath the surface of global crises ✅ The tragedy of the commons, why sustainable business models demand regulation ✅ The BHP Greenwashing Leak: Balancing corporate governance, shareholder value ✅ Why Australia is fumbling its massive opportunity to export Green Hydrogen ✅ The psychology behind community resistance to wind turbines ✅ The shocking reality of global food waste, ✅ The power imbalance between farmers and supermarkets And how traditional Japanese culture (Wabi-Sabi and Shinto animism) mastered circularity centuries ago.
What does it take to build reliable systems, a growing renewable energy business, and a meaningful life at the same time? In this episode, we sit down with David Fulton, one of Greenwood Solutions' earliest team members, to explore a remarkable journey through engineering, Germany, BMW, renewable energy, business systems, mental health and the early days of Greenwood. From pulling apart vacuum cleaners as a child and training in Wing Chun, to studying engineering in Melbourne and Munich, working inside BMW's research and development centre, and helping build Greenwood from a spare bedroom, David's story is honest, technical and deeply human. We discuss grid applications, interface protection, Grid Safe, ISO management systems, Airtable, artificial intelligence, quality, process improvement, bipolar disorder, NDIS support and why the people closest to us often matter more than the biggest problems in the world. What we cover: ✅ Growing up with an engineering mindset ✅ Martial arts, discipline and instinct ✅ Studying and working in Germany ✅ Life inside BMW research and development ✅ Mental health, bipolar disorder and recovery ✅ Becoming Greenwood's first employee ✅ The early days of Grid Safe and grid applications ✅ Why reliable processes create quality ✅ ISO 9001 and integrated management systems ✅ Using Airtable and AI to build business tools ✅ Where renewable energy and data centres may be heading ✅ Empathy, compassion and helping the people around us
What actually happens to a solar panel when it dies, and how can we stop millions of tons of them from ending up in landfill? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Nunez, an industrial designer and circular economy researcher at RMIT. From growing up in the chaotic, high-altitude sprawl of Mexico City to researching the social drivers behind sustainable waste management in Australia, Alex brings a deeply human and design-focused perspective to the renewable energy sector. We dive deep into the mounting crisis of solar panel waste and why financial incentives alone aren't enough to make installers and wholesalers recycle properly. Alex breaks down the ""10 Rs"" of the circular economy, why recycling is actually the last resort, and how concepts like a ""Digital Passport"" for solar panels could revolutionize supply chain transparency by telling recyclers exactly what elements (silver, copper, silicon, low-grade EVA) they are dealing with. We also explore the incredible structural potential of cardboard, how material design dictates human behaviour (like the fatal flaw of multi-material toothbrushes), and why solving our waste problem requires us to reconnect with our food, our communities, and traditional knowledge. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Growing up in Mexico City: ✅ How Latin culture centres around food, connection, and traditional waste reduction ✅ Why merging art and science drew Alex to industrial design ✅ The fatal design flaw of everyday items that makes them impossible to recycle ✅ The structural miracles of cardboard: Building weight-bearing arches without glue ✅ Why recycling is actually the last step in the circular economy (Exploring the 10 Rs) ✅ The incoming 2045 solar panel waste crisis and logistical nightmares ✅ Why trust is the biggest barrier to solar recycling ✅ The ""Digital Passport"" solution: the exact material breakdown of every solar panel ✅ The massive, hidden problem of single-use plastic packaging in commercial solar i ✅ Why treating end-of-life solar panels as ""rubbish"" guarantees they will be destroyed instead of reused
Who actually manufactures the batteries powering the world's most dominant tech and EV brands, and how are those same cells revolutionizing utility-scale grid storage in Australia? In this episode, we sit down with Daniel, Business Development Manager for Sunwoda (one of the world's largest, vertically integrated battery manufacturers). Starting as a communications engineer who barely scraped a 55% passing grade, Daniel went on to acquire a sponsored MBA and build a massive career in HV technical sales and utility infrastructure. We go deep into the sheer scale of the Chinese battery manufacturing ecosystem, how developers have completely shifted from standalone solar to BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) arbitrage projects, and why the grid is desperate for storage solutions. Daniel also breaks down how Sunwoda doubled their 20ft container capacity in less than two years (from 2.7MWh to 5MWh, and soon 6.3MWh), their strict R&D integration testing with tier-one European inverters, and his personal journey building a fully off-grid cabin from scratch in the Queensland hinterlands. What we cover: ✅ Why passing an engineering degree with 55% isn't the end of the world ✅ The immense power of an MBA in understanding business drivers and technical sales ✅ Going completely off-grid: sourcing tier-two standalone systems ✅ The pivot from legacy coal, gas transmission lines to large-scale PV and BESS connections ✅ Why Australian developers are abandoning standalone PV for pure arbitrage battery farms ✅ Sunwoda’s massive scale: 80,000 global staff, 14 factories, manufacturing their own cells ✅ The truth about consumer batteries: Sunwoda’s 20-year history supplying Apple and Tesla ✅ Solving extreme temperature derating for BESS sites in the Australian outback ✅ Replacing diesel generators with hybrid microgrids on remote Australian mining sites
What happens when the insatiable energy demands of massive data centres collide with an aging grid, and who is actually standing up for the everyday person paying the bills? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Memery: a leading energy advocate and renewable energy veteran: to unpack the complex realities of the Australian energy transition. From his early days climbing 80-metre wind testing towers and developing standalone power systems, to his critical work with the Justice and Equity Centre and the Alternative Technology Association (now Renew), Craig brings a deeply human perspective to a highly technical industry. We go deep into the philosophy of consumer advocacy, why energy efficiency remains the most overlooked solution to our grid crisis, and the massive incoming threat (and opportunity) posed by data centers. Craig also breaks down the transition from mechanical inertia (synchronous condensers) to grid-scale batteries, and how network tariffs must evolve to avoid unfairly punishing renters and vulnerable households. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Why the term 'consumer' dehumanizes people in the energy transition ✅ The forgotten potential of passive solar design and household energy efficiency ✅ Early wind farm prospecting and overcoming a fear of heights on 80m test towers ✅ The massive grid impact of new data centers and why they avoid deeper network costs ✅ How to co-optimize data center loads using demand response and optionality ✅ The structural flaws in volumetric network tariffs and high fixed charges ✅ Transitioning from synchronous condensers to advanced grid-scale batteries ✅ The psychological benefits of silent meditation retreats for complex problem-solving
What do most engineers get wrong about lightning protection? In this episode, Veli sits down with Franco D'Alessandro from LPI to explore lightning protection for commercial solar, battery storage and critical infrastructure. From astrophysics to lightning engineering, Franco explains how lightning forms, why blunt air terminals outperform sharp rods, and why surge protection, earthing and bonding are just as important as capturing the strike. Franco has multiple patents to his name with numerous research papers published and we were so lucky to have him on! ⚡ What we cover: ✅ How lightning forms ✅ Direct vs indirect strikes ✅ Solar farm protection ✅ Earthing and bonding ✅ Surge protection ✅ Floating solar ✅ Lightning myths ✅ Risk assessments THE CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: Lightning & Solar 01:12 Growing Up In Tasmania 04:15 Astrophysics Journey 08:45 Entering Lightning Protection 15:10 Australia & Lightning Myths 19:40 How Lightning Forms 25:20 Why Lightning Protection Matters 33:00 Four Parts Of Protection 42:10 Air Terminals Explained 50:45 Sharp vs Blunt Rods 1:00:35 Solar Farms & Risk 1:07:15 Floating Solar 1:15:00 Large Solar Farms 1:22:00 Wrap Up If you work in commercial solar, engineering or renewable energy, this episode is packed with practical insights that come from a massive mind that is Franco D'Alessandro! #LightningProtection #SolarFarms #CommercialSolar #RenewableEnergy #ElectricalEngineering #SurgeProtection #Earthing #Bonding #BatteryStorage #BESS #FloatingSolar #GridInfrastructure #PowerSystems #LPI #SolarAustralia #RenewableEnergyAustralia #EngineeringPodcast #GreenwoodAcademy
What happens when defence-grade software analytics meets renewable infrastructure, and why is 30% of commercial solar offline right now? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Martell: Managing Director of GSES (Global Sustainable Energy Solutions): to explore solar engineering, training evolution, and advanced asset management. Chris shares his journey from working on military radar arrays at Raytheon in Boston to leading one of Australia's most respected renewable energy consulting and training institutions, GSES. We discuss the technical challenges of early commercial solar, engineering car park canopy arrays over active easements, and the launch of Mindaro for large-scale microgrid engineering. We also explore Diagno, a machine-learning data visualization platform built in partnership with UNSW and UTS to automate fault detection. Chris breaks down the massive industry-wide failure in communications, the lack of structured O&M programs, and how the solar sector must adapt as systems integrate into virtual power plants (VPPs). What we cover: ✅ Chris's transition from defence systems engineering to terrestrial solar photovoltaics ✅ The legacy of UNSW and Martin Green in pioneering modern cell efficiency records ✅ Inside early commercial solar deployments and complex grid connection architectures ✅ Designing bespoke solar canopy structures over commercial easements ✅ The scaling of GSES from an international aid consultancy to an industry-standard RTO ✅ How Mindaro spun out to handle utility-scale designs up to 150MW plus ✅ The technical birth of Diagno and utilizing cloud APIs for data cleaning and normalization ✅ Why 30% of solar asset communications are down at any given moment ✅ Building structured O&M frameworks with defined SLAs for high-value asset owners ✅ The true potential of alternative storage mediums including flywheels and mechanical storage ✅ Expanding clean energy skills training across developing nations like the Philippines and Pakistan
What does honest politics actually sound like? In this episode, we sit down with Nick McGowan, Victorian MP, Shadow Minister for Environment, and Shadow Minister for Fire Services, for one of the most open, direct, and thought-provoking conversations we’ve had on the podcast. Nick shares his journey from knowing in grade five that he wanted to be a member of parliament, to standing for council at 18, working in politics, serving with the United Nations in conflict-affected regions, and now tackling environmental issues here in Victoria. But this conversation goes well beyond party politics! We cover leadership, public service, trust, respect, tribalism, education, community, renewable energy, environmental protection, PFAS, waste, invasive species, and why Australia can still lead by example. Nick is brutally honest, deeply considered, and refreshingly willing to say what he actually thinks. If you care about politics, the environment, leadership, or where Victoria is heading, this one is worth your time. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Why politics is not about being liked ✅ Respect vs popularity in public life ✅ Nick’s early passion for politics and the environment ✅ Standing for council at 18 ✅ Working with the United Nations in Africa ✅ What war zones teach you about peace and leadership ✅ Why Australia should lead by example on the environment ✅ Renewable energy, storage, housing and sustainability ✅ PFAS, microplastics and “forever chemicals” ✅ Invasive species, waste, public transport and practical fixes ✅ Why local representatives matter more than tribal politics This is a raw, thoughtful, and genuinely different conversation about politics, people, and the environment and from Greenwood Academy's perspective, a real eye opener!
What really happens when massive consumer demand for home batteries meets the harsh technical realities of the field? In this episode, we sit down with Mick Klose, licensed electrician, solar specialist, and Operations Manager at Hayes Power, to discuss the nitty-gritty of high-end solar installations, home battery storage, and commercial energy management. Operating out of San Remo, Victoria, Mick brings a wealth of direct, on-the-roof and in-the-office experience. We dive deep into the engineering intricacies of designing solar arrays for high-salt coastal environments, why the industry faces a massive e-waste issue with decommissioning perfectly good solar panels, and how to effectively manage customer expectations when it comes to pricing vs. performance. We also explore the critical role of electrical inspectors in Victoria, why the state's rigorous compliance framework should be standard across Australia, and a highly technical look at tradesmanship—covering everything from proper hydraulic cable crimping sequences to managing commercial peak demand reduction for B2B clients. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Mick’s journey from a 16-year-old apprentice to managing a team of 23 ✅ Why Haze Power uses fully accredited electricians instead of traditional salespeople ✅ The danger of subcontracting and preserving absolute quality control ✅ Whole-house backup vs. Essential Service dedicated loads ✅ Regulated battery locations: Why you must avoid west-facing walls ✅ Coastal solar engineering: Salt corrosivity ratings, Clenergy black rails, and Phono solar panels ✅ Modularity in modern storage: Fronius, Tesla Powerwall, and Sig Energy ✅ EV integration: Pushing excess PV with Charge HQ ✅ Commercial battery strategy: Peak shaving and demand charge reduction ✅ Victoria's inspection framework: Building a collaborative relationship with TechSafe and ESV ✅ Trades masterclass: Cable lugging, crimp orientations, and clear heat shrink audits ✅ The dark side of government rebates: Uncovering dangerous switchboard work
What happens when electrification, data centres, renewables and customer behaviour all collide? In this episode, we sit down with Liz Fletcher , energy consultant and former Flow Power, Transgrid and Energy Power Systems professional, to examine the future of Australia's energy transition. From early work in wind, coal, lobbying and carbon policy, to corporate PPAs, data centres, energy efficiency, electrification and customer engagement, Liz brings a rare ability to connect the technical, commercial and human sides of the energy industry. We look into data centres, social licence, grid flexibility, commercial power purchase agreements, carbon accounting, EV adoption, housing efficiency, renewable energy policy, mining, circular economy and why the customer is often the missing piece in energy transition strategy. What we cover: ✅ Liz’s pathway into energy and renewables ✅ Why storytelling matters in technical industries ✅ Marketing, policy and customer engagement ✅ Corporate PPAs explained simply ✅ Flow Power and renewable energy procurement ✅ Data centres and their impact on the grid ✅ Social licence and community trust ✅ Electrification and energy efficiency ✅ EVs, fuel prices and transport transition ✅ Mining, recycling and the circular economy ✅ Why the energy transition needs customers
What happens when a chef, food journalist, start up founder, lecturer and energy innovator all become the same person? In this episode, we sit down with Puja Ganguli-Kerr to explore nonlinear careers, innovation, sustainability, energy transition, entrepreneurship and community building. From training as a chef and working in food journalism to building startups, lecturing at Monash University and helping shape innovation ecosystems across APAC, Puja's story is a masterclass in curiosity and impact. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Nonlinear careers & innovation ✅ Food systems & sustainability ✅ Entrepreneurship & startups ✅ Community building & leadership ✅ Energy transition explained simply ✅ India’s renewable energy growth ✅ Storytelling as a business skill ✅ Innovation ecosystems & APAC ✅ Why diversity of thinking matters ✅ Building businesses with purpose
What happens when AI, automation and consumer protection collide in the solar industry? In this episode, we sit down with Sophie Wright, General Manager of OpenSolar Australia & New Zealand , to explore the future of solar software, battery sales, AI-driven workflows, and the growing risks facing the renewable energy industry. Sophie now leads one of the industry’s most widely used proposal platforms and she shares a brutally honest perspective on where the solar industry is now and where it is heading. We dive into AI tools, business burnout, workplace culture, proposal compliance, battery sales, EV charging, OpenSolar, consumer protection, and why bad solar proposals could become one of the industry’s biggest future problems. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ AI, automation & solar workflows ✅ Burnout, productivity & deep focus ✅ The future of OpenSolar ✅ Why proposal compliance matters ✅ Battery sales & consumer protection ✅ EV charging & electrification ✅ Working remotely vs real connection ✅ Managing teams & business growth ✅ Why admin is crushing solar businesses ✅ The future of solar software & integrations
What happens when AI starts controlling the grid? In this episode, we sit down with Gokul, lecturer in electrical engineering at Swinburne University and researcher at the Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, to explore the future of renewable energy, AI-driven electricity systems, microgrids, and autonomous grid control. From growing up in India and breaking TVs to learn how they worked, to researching AI agents that can coordinate batteries, buildings, EVs and energy systems in real time, this conversation goes deep into where the energy industry is actually heading. We cover microgrids, grid-forming inverters, AI orchestration, virtual power plants, EV charging highways, digital twins, data centres, and why the future grid will need to think for itself. ⚡ We also look at: ✅ AI-driven electricity systems ✅ Community microgrids & orchestration ✅ Grid-forming vs grid-following inverters ✅ Digital twins & smart grids ✅ EV charging roads & wireless charging ✅ Data centres & future demand ✅ AI agents coordinating energy systems ✅ Why rooftop solar alone is not enough ✅ Building the autonomous grid of the future If you work in solar, batteries, AI, electrical engineering, or renewable energy, this episode is packed with insights. 👍 If you enjoy content about renewable energy, battery technology, and the engineering shaping our energy future in Australia, make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more conversations like this from Greenwood Academy! #Gokulpodcast #AIenergysystems #microgrids #wirelessEVcharging #digitaltwingrid #communitybatteriesAustralia #SwinburneUniversity #siemens #SwinburneEnergyTransitionHub #renewableenergyAustralia #autonomousenergysystems, #powersystemsengineering,
What does it actually take to sell solar systems properly? In this episode, we sit down with Cameron Blair from Solarhart to unpack the real world of residential solar, batteries, heat pumps, commercial solar, and the sales process behind helping customers make the right energy decision. Cameron’s journey starts far away from solar. From growing up in Ferntree Gully, becoming a diesel mechanic, moving into car sales, and then transferring those skills into renewable energy, this conversation is full of practical lessons about trust, process, detail and doing the job properly. We get into why solar sales is not just about throwing panels on a roof, why batteries are being driven by more than just return on investment, and how good salespeople build confidence by understanding what customers actually care about. We also talk about the Solarhart difference, including in-house installers, product testing, Australian-backed warranties, home energy management, hot water, commercial solar, battery storage and the importance of long-term relationships. If you work in solar, batteries, sales, or customer-facing energy solutions, this one is packed with practical insight. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Cameron’s early days as a diesel mechanic ✅ Moving from car sales into solar ✅ What car sales taught him about people ✅ Why good solar sales is about trust, not pressure ✅ The Dunning Kruger effect in sales ✅ Why customers do not care about technical overload ✅ How to handle objections before they become objections ✅ Solarhart’s approach to product quality and warranty ✅ Residential solar, batteries, heat pumps and commercial systems ✅ Why batteries are about control, independence and blackout protection ✅ Home energy management and understanding real consumption ✅ In-house installation teams and why they matter ✅ Commercial solar, landlords, CFOs and decision makers ✅ Why referrals and long-term customer relationships are everything This is a very human conversation about solar, sales and doing things properly. 👍 If you enjoy content about renewable energy, battery technology, and the engineering shaping our energy future in Australia, make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more conversations like this! And if you want to go deeper beyond opinions and into real skills, knowledge, and career pathways, check out Greenwood Academy, where we train the next generation of professionals shaping Australia’s clean energy transition. Greenwood.Academy
In this episode, we sit down with Gaurav Gaikwad from Pixii, an electrical engineer whose journey spans from Mumbai’s competitive hustle to Australia’s cutting-edge battery and microgrid industry. From early solar projects in India to large-scale PPAs and now advanced battery systems in Australia, this conversation explores how energy systems are evolving , and why batteries are becoming critical infrastructure. We dive into DC microgrids, community batteries, EV charging, and the real-world challenges of deploying energy systems at scale. If you work in solar, batteries, or the broader energy space — this episode is packed with insights. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ Growing up in Mumbai & the mindset it builds ✅ Getting into solar (and why timing matters) ✅ Working on large-scale energy projects in India ✅ Why batteries are no longer optional ✅ Community batteries & real-world applications ✅ Diesel vs solar + battery (and the economics) ✅ Inside Pixii’s modular battery technology ✅ EV charging, data centres & future demand ✅ DC microgrids — the next evolution of energy systems ✅ Why energy is becoming decentralised infrastructure This is where the industry is heading Gaurav's insight really paints an extremely promising picture and whether you're an engineer, solar professional, energy investor, or technology enthusiast, this conversation will give you a deeper understanding of where battery storage and the renewable energy industry are heading.
What actually powers the future of energy? In this episode, we sit down with David Minchin, an engineer’s engineer with over 40 years of experience across batteries, solar, telecommunications, and electrical standards, to understand the reality behind modern energy systems. From early off-grid solar in the 1980s to today’s lithium battery boom, David shares a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on how the industry has evolved… and where it’s heading next. This conversation goes deep into battery technology, system design, safety standards, and the hidden challenges of scaling renewable energy, with practical insights for installers, engineers, and anyone working in the energy space. We also explore the lesser-known world of Australian Standards, how they’re actually created, and why Australia is quietly leading the world in solar and battery adoption. Plus there are stories from remote power systems, telecom infrastructure, and the early days of solar that most people have never heard before. If you work in solar, batteries, or energy this is essential listening. ⚡ What we cover: ✅ The evolution of batteries (lead acid → lithium → beyond) ✅ Why battery storage is NOT “set and forget” ✅ The real role of standards ✅ Solar’s early days ✅ How Australia became a global leader in energy tech ✅ The truth about battery safety & system design ✅ Flywheels, alternative storage & future tech ✅ Off-grid systems, telecom infrastructure & real-world lessons ✅ Why installers must think differently about batteries vs solar ✅ The future of AI, energy systems & grid interaction 👤 About David Minchin: David has worked across: Battery manufacturing & telecom infrastructure Remote area power systems Australian & international electrical standards Renewable energy & storage systems He’s been directly involved in shaping how modern energy systems are designed, installed, and regulated.
What if everything you’ve been told about your carbon footprint is wrong? In this episode, we sit down with Alastair Matcott from Green Energy Trading to unpack the truth about climate change, clean energy, and the systems driving it all. From calling out the origins of the “individual carbon footprint” narrative to breaking down how renewable energy incentives actually work, this conversation goes deep, with a mix of philosophy, industry insight, and raw honesty. We cover: ✅ Why individual climate action might be missing the point ✅ The real role of big business and fossil fuels ✅ Clean energy incentives (STCs, VECs) explained simply ✅ The future of solar, batteries, and energy markets ✅ Capitalism vs climate, can the system actually fix this? ✅ Media, messaging, and how language shapes reality Plus, Alastair shares his unconventional journey from music and philosophy into the renewable energy industry. If you work in solar, energy, or just care about where the world is heading, this one’s worth your time.
Join Laurie Kane from Solar Plus on Season 2 Ep 13 of THE GREENROOM podcast. Laurie is an undisputed Industry veteran who takes us inside his journey. We start in the middle of underground parties in Sydney… rooftops, wild nights, people pushing limits. The kind of chaos that somehow teaches you more than anything structured ever could! The conversation will have twists and turns you wont see coming. Music. Creativity. Trying to make something meaningful… and hitting that wall a lot of people hit. "Is this actually doing anything?" That question changes everything. What follows is a slow pivot into something bigger. Renewable energy, building tools, solving real problems, and trying to create something that actually matters in the long run! But this isn’t some clean, polished “success story.” Pure honesty from Laurie. He touches on: - taking risks - figuring things out the hard way - chasing purpose instead of just chasing wins - and learning when to evolve There’s a deeper thread running through this conversation: At some point, you will have to decide. "Are you just going to ride things out… or actually build something meaningful? If you’re into: Real stories (not the polished LinkedIn version), renewable energy & where things are heading. Business, creativity, and figuring your life out as you go. We guarantee you’ll get something out of this. Laurie's story is beyond inspirational.
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