ACCELERATE 2035: National Energy Transition Research Summit
Description
ACCELERATE 2035 Summit will convene Australia’s most influential leaders across all sectors of research, government, industry and the Learned Academies, to collectively shape the national energy research priorities needed to support Australia’s energy transition towards Net Zero.
The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) in partnership with the Net Zero Economy Authority seeks to:
Identify the critical energy research required to meet Australia's 2030, 2035 and 2050 targets
Survey the research gaps and articulate the most pressing challenges, risks, and opportunities across the energy system
Bring together insights from science, engineering, economics, social sciences, First Nations engagement, regulation, finance and industry innovation
Establish the foundational research directions essential for guiding policy, investment and national decision-making for an effective energy transition
Ensure Australia moves forward with a holistic, cross-sector approach grounded in evidence and shared priorities
Summit outputs will include a summary statement that will feed into a new Australian Energy Transition Research Plan 2026, aligned with Net Zero policies and timed to inform COP31 discussions.
Please note: This event has limited seating. Early registration is essential to secure a place.
Agenda
- 8:15 am - 9:00 am
Arrival and registration
- 9:00 am - 9:10 pm
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
Presented by Prerana Mehta, CEO ACOLA
- 9:10 am - 9:20 pm
Plenary
Presented by David Shankey, CEO Net Zero Economy Authority
- 9:20 am - 9:30 pm
In conversation
David Shankey, CEO Net Zero Economy Authority interviewed by Emeritus Professor Ken Baldwin FTSE
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Panel – Accelerating our energy future: Research, policy and action
Aimed to set the scene for the breakout sessions. Panellists include: Redmond Barry Distinguished Professor Emeritus Lesley Head FAHA FASSA (moderator), Emeritus Professor Roy Green (Special Innovation Advisor, UTS), Nicola Falcon (EGM System Design, AEMO), Kath Rowley (CEO, CCA), Louisa Kinnear (CEO, AEC), Professor Tony Haymet FTSE (Australia's Chief Scientist)
- 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Morning Tea
- 11:00 am - 11:15 am
Table introductions
Attendees to formally introduce themselves at their table.
- 11:15 am - 12:45 am
Breakout Session 1
Meeting Australia’s 2035 targets – identify and articulate the most pressing and significant challenges and opportunities facing Australia’s energy transition across three-time horizons, from a sectoral perspective. The last 30 minutes of this session will be used to report back the discussions from the breakout groups.
- 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
- 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Breakout Session 2
Refining Australia’s research priorities – identify the research priorities that would address the challenges and opportunities to create the greatest impact on Australia’s clean energy transition, and to justify why. The last 30 minutes of this session will be used to report back the discussions from the breakout groups.
- 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Discussions
Report back discussions from the breakout groups
- 3:30 am - 4:00 pm
Afternoon Tea
- 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Summit summary
- 4:45 pm - 5:00 pm
Closing remarks
Essential reading
- Australian Energy Transition Research Plan, ACOLA, 2021-2025
A national and coordinated research plan that outlines urgent and strategic research priorities, funding needs, and pathways for translating research into impact to help Australia reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Australia’s Net Zero Plan, DCCEEW, 2025
Australia’s national plan for achieving net zero emissions by 2050, outlining sector pathways, investment priorities, and the overall strategy for decarbonisation.
- AEMO Research Priorities, 2025
Outlines several priority research topics that AEMO is interested in progressing through engagement with the research community.
- The State of Energy Transition Technologies Report, CSIRO, 2025
Explores RD&D opportunities to support the adoption of technologies that can accelerate cost-effective, low-risk, and integrated technology pathways across five major sectors.
- Sector Pathways Review, Climate Change Authority, 2024
Independent assessment of decarbonisation trajectories across major sectors, identifying risks, opportunities, and evidence gaps.
- Integrated System Plan (ISP) Overview, AEMO, 2024
The ISP is a roadmap for the transition of the National Electricity Market (NEM) power system. It outlines the mix of generation, storage and network investments required to meet both consumer needs and government energy and emissions targets between now and 2050.
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