Australia is in the middle of a major energy transformation. We are a world leader in terms of per capita installation rates for solar and wind energy, and new technologies for energy generation and storage continue to revolutionise the electricity sector. But with each opportunity comes challenges to be overcome.

The Energy Change Essentials short course is tailored for professionals across government, industry and community sectors who are interested in the energy transition, seek a comprehensive overview of the latest trends in energy technology, economics and policy, and want an understanding of the social challenges of transitioning to a zero-emissions energy system.

The course is delivered by the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS) and brings together leading energy transition researchers from across the Australian National University to share the latest research and discuss solutions.

 

"The course was a wonderful insight into the energy transition and helped inform my practice as a policy adviser in this space."

(participant of Energy Change Essentials, March 2024, online)

 

Course Dates

In 2025, the Energy Change Essentials short course will be delivered on the following dates:

Dates*	Mode	Registration Link
25 - 27 February 2025	Online	Registrations closed
1 - 3 April 2025	Online	Registrations closed
28 May 2025	In-Person at ANU	Register now!
August 2025	In-Person at ANU	Express your interest
November 2025	Online	Express your interest

* More courses may be added to the 2025 calendar as the year progresses. To stay informed of future courses and dates, express your interest here. 

To enquire about a private course for your organisation or community group, contact the ICEDS professional learning experiences team via icedscourses@anu.edu.au.

 

Scope

The Energy Change Essentials short course provides decision-makers in government, industry and community sectors with access to the latest research and ANU expertise on the energy transition.

The course is delivered in real-time, either online or in-person, and is centred on six topic-based session with six ANU-affiliated researchers who work at the interface of science-policymaking-practice. Group discussions are also a feature of the course - during the topic sessions and at nominated group discussion times - between you, the ANU team and fellow participants who typically come from a diverse range of workplaces and sectors.

During the course, participants are encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences, and will discuss ways that the research relates to their broader work contexts. On completion of the course, participants will have:

• An understanding of the key technologies that will enable the transition to a zero emissions energy system.
• Considered the main market, regulatory and policy frameworks underpinning the transition of the energy sector.
• An appreciation of the core social and technological barriers, challenges and opportunities of the transition to a carbon neutral economy in Australia and its region.
• A broader network of people who are working in the energy transition, including the ANU ICEDS team.

 

"I really loved being in such an engaged and confident group. The presentations were outstanding and the discussion, questions and input from attendees really added to the whole experience."

(participant of Energy Change Essentials, April 2024, in-person)

 

In-Person vs Online

The in-person Energy Change Essentials course is a full-day, fully catered professional short course delivered from 9:00am - 5:30pm at the Australian National University (Acton campus, ACT). Six 1-hour topic sessions, plus group discussions and networking breaks are featured across the day.

The online Energy Change Essentials course is a 3 x half-day professional short course delivered via video conferencing software, e.g. Zoom Meetings or Microsoft Teams. Across three consecutive half-days (9:30am - 1:00pm), six 1.25-hour topic sessions are featured (two topic sessions per day), plus group discussions and breaks.

Each delivery of the Energy Change Essentials course differs slightly to ensure that the sessions stay relevant to the rapidly changing energy transition context. The location, logistics, presenters and specific lecture titles of each course are provided to registrants in the week before the course begins.

An overarching course program is provided in the table below as a guide.

Session topics *
Welcome and introduction
Overview of the energy transition - trends, options, policy
Renewable energy (1: technology overview)
Renewable energy (2: policy, innovation)
Renewable energy (3: specific pathways or sectors e.g. batteries, green hydrogen, electric vehicles, or industrial decarbonisation, etc.)
The social (energy) transition (1: overview of social challenges and risk)
The social (energy) transition (2: specific themes e.g. regions in the energy transition, or indigenous interests, etc.)
Additional group discussion and/or activity
Closing and reflections

* The example program is provided as a guide only. Session topics and sequencing are subject to change to achieve each course's learning outcomes and to align with contemporary challenges of the energy transition.

 

Presenters

The Energy Change Essentials course features some of the Australian National University's leading energy transition researchers. Together, our presenters' expertise encompass all facets of the energy transition - technological, economic, policy and societal opportunities and challenges. 

Past and regular ANU presenters include:

• Frank Jotzo, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy
• Kylie Catchpole, ANU Centre for Energy Systems (ACES)
• Sara Bice, Institute for Infrastructure in Society
• Paul Burke, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics
• Valeska Ting, Research School of Chemistry
• Ken Baldwin, ANU Grand Challenge: Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific
• Andrew Blakers, School of Engineering
• Emma Aisbett, School of Law
• Marnie Shaw, ANU Centre for Energy Systems
• Jorrit Gosens, Crawford School of Public Policy
• Thomas Longden, Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions
• Fiona Beck, School of Engineering
• John Pye, School of Engineering
• Bec Colvin, Crawford School of Public Policy
• Lorrae McArthur, Office of the Vice President for the First Nations Portfolio
• Beck Pearse, School of Sociology / Fenner School of Environment & Society

 

"Fascinating and timely presentations by engaging researchers at the cutting edge of the energy transition."

(participant of Energy Change Essentials, April 2025, online)

 

Who Should Attend and Why?

The course is most relevant to policymakers and practitioners in Australia, and across the Asia and Pacific regions. Participants from a range of backgrounds will benefit from the diversity of disciplines covered, which is an essential feature of the course as the energy transformation will impact all sectors of our economy and society.

Since 2021, 300+ participants have attended the Energy Change Essentials course and given it an overall average rating of 4.45 out of 5 (89%, high distinction!)

 

Feedback from past participants tell us that the Energy Change Essentials course is:

"A positive experience where I was able to get across a wide range of relevant topics relatively quickly, with minimal impact to my work obligations."

(participant of Energy Change Essentials, April 2025, online)

"It was a valuable use of my time to learn from experienced and knowledgeable people in the area of renewable energy and the energy transition. Doing the course also helped me see more clearly how interested and motivated I am to work in this area."

(participant of Energy Change Essentials, September 2024, online)

"Great course, good overview of the topic and engaging lecturers. Great catering also!" and "Excellent depth of subject knowledge from presenters, and well pitched to support learning for a wide range of backgrounds."

(participants of Energy Change Essentials, April 2024, in-person)

 

Important Information

• The course is delivered either as a fully online course or an in-person course. 
• Six broad topics are presented with breaks and group discussions.
• Registrations for this course are via Humanitix (with 100% of Humantix profits going to education charities). 
• Registrations close 1 week before the course commences. 
• Each individual course take place subject to demand. Registrants will receive a full refund in the unlikely event that the course is cancelled. Places are limited to 30 participants per course and registrations are on a 'first come - first served' basis. For more details on refunds, see our refund policy.
• To receive an ANU Certificate of Participation at the end of the course, participants must attend at least 50% of the topic sessions/group discussions. The ANU Certificate of Participation is not an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification and cannot be used for course credit or exemption at ANU.
• If you have a registration request after the booking portal closes, please contact the ICEDS professional learning experiences team directly via icedscourses@anu.edu.au.

 

Registration Privacy Notice

By registering for this course, you are also subscribing to the ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of correspondence. Find out more information in the course registration privacy notice.

 

Event Photography and Recording

ICEDS professional learning experiences may be photographed and recorded. Images and recordings are kept by ICEDS and may be used for monitoring and evaluation purposes, and for promotional purposes including websites, publications, social media and other modern technologies. If you do not want to be recorded at a course, please inform the photographer or course facilitator on the day. If you do not want to be included in a course recording, please contact us at icedscourses@anu.edu.au.