PODCAST · business
First Fuel
by Energy Efficiency Council
Hosted by Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel, First Fuel brings you the latest perspectives on energy efficiency, energy management and demand response from Australia and around the world.
Episodes
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99: 'Never a dull moment' with Jai Thomas
On this episode of First Fuel we're joined by Jai Thomas, Coordinator of Energy at Energy Policy WA. As Luke notes in the episode, Jai's role boils down to keeping 'the lights on and the fuels flowing' in Western Australia. This makes for a fascinating conversation about how WA is handling the...
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98: 'Green steel is existential for Australia' with Dr. Saul Griffith
On this episode of First Fuel we bring you a chat between Luke and Dr. Saul Griffith, co-founder of Rewiring America and Rewiring Australia, recorded last week in Perth at the Australian Institute of Energy's Energy in WA Conference. In it, Saul shares some personal reflections on the huge...
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97: Energy governance and paint sticks with Rob Murray-Leach
On this episode of First Fuel Luke is joined by the Energy Efficiency Council's founding CEO and long-time Head of Policy, Rob Murray-Leach. Now an independent consultant, Rob was commissioned by the EEC and RACE for 2030 to produce a green paper on energy governance reform in the National...
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96: 'A COP is a many-splendored thing' with Chris Bowen
On this episode of First Fuel, Luke is joined by Australia's Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Bowen. Recorded live at the EEC National Conference 2025, they discuss what hosting a global climate change conference in Adelaide in 2026 would mean for Australia, why efficiency and...
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95: Australia's energy report card with Brendan French
On this episode of First Fuel we're joined by Energy Consumers Australia CEO Brendan French to discuss ECA's 2024 Consumer Energy Report Card. Brendan and Luke talk about how Australians are feeling about energy in 2024, why social license is just as big an issue in the suburbs as it is in the...
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94: Doubling down with Josh Wilson
On this special episode of First Fuel we catch up with Australia's Assistant Minster for Climate and Energy Josh Wilson on the ground at COP29 in Azerbaijan. Luke and Josh discuss the impact of Donald Trump's election on global climate talks, how we're tracking on the big global energy efficiency...
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93: Zero carbon mindset with Brad Archer
On this episode of First Fuel we're joined by Climate Change Authority CEO Brad Archer to dig into their latest blockbuster report, the 2024 Sector Pathways Review. This a big report that digs deep into decarbonisation pathways for six key economic sectors, as well as the cross cutting actions...
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92: Politics, purpose and net zero pathways with Matt Kean
On 1 August, Matt Kean will become chair of the https://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/. Over a parliamentary career spanning 13 years with two state premiers, Kean has been NSW's Treasurer, Environment Minister, Innovation Minister, Energy Minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. When...
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91: Decisions for a big decade with Lily D’Ambrosio
In Episode 91 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Victoria’s Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, and Minister for State Electricity Commission, Lily D’Ambrosio. As Australia’s longest serving current Minister for Energy – and with Victoria’s ambitious decarbonisation...
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90: Extreme efficiency with Amory Lovins
First Fuel returns with a very special episode this month, featuring none other than Amory Lovins, co-founder of RMI and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University. At the end of an incredible week that included Australia's first Industrial Decarbonisation Summit and the 2024 EEC National...
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89: Making smart buildings a reality with Jessica Granderson
A guest of the EEC at 2023's National Energy Efficiency Conference, Dr Jessica Granderson directs the Building Technology and Urban Systems Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and is one of the world’s foremost experts on building efficiency and energy management. In this...
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88: What we (should) talk about when we talk about net zero targets with Jan Rosenow
Of the many positives to come from the 2023 National Energy Efficiency Conference, one of the biggest was the opportunity to bring Jan Rosenow to Australia for the first time. In the world of energy efficiency, Dr Rosenow needs little introduction. With his day job leading European Programs at…
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87: National Efficiency Schemes Summit 2023: Post event wrap
Last month's National Efficiency Schemes Summit was the first of its kind: a national event bringing together participants in all Australia's state efficiency schemes – a remarkable fact by Energy Savings Industry Association President Rod Woolley. That industry and government, NGOs and consumer...
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86: Transforming industry with Troy Powell and Rob Kelly
Earlier this month, some of Australia’s biggest companies released a statement to say that even our heaviest industries can transition their supply chains to net zero emissions, and they’re prepared to put the work in. It won’t be easy, and the pathway is narrow. But thanks to the work of the...
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85: School's in for summer with Alex St John
Along with ambitious commitments to renewable energy, the Albanese Government has set its sights on decarbonisation and energy efficiency, putting the nation's energy policy wonks to work over the summer. In Episode 85 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel and EEC Acting Head of Policy Alex St John…
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84: Planning for net zero with Kate Levick
If they don’t already have one, developing a net zero plan is high on the priority list for all Australian businesses. But as most now know, the real job isn’t developing a plan, but putting that plan to work. In Episode 84 of First Fuel, EEC CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Kate Levick, co-head of…
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83: Energy Efficiency Summit 2022 – Heavy industry, lighter loads: competitiveness through efficiency
Episode 83: Heavy industry, lighter loads: competitiveness through efficiency panel from 2022 Energy Efficiency Summit This week’s episode of First Fuel is a recording of our panel titled ‘Heavy industry, lighter loads: competitiveness through efficiency’ from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency...
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82: Energy Efficiency Summit 2022 – Batteries of the nation: zero emissions commercial buildings
This week’s episode of First Fuel is a recording of our panel titled ‘Batteries of the nation: zero emissions commercial buildings’ from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit. In this panel, Francesca Muskovic, National Policy Director of Property Council of Australia, was joined by: Davina...
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81: Energy Efficiency Summit 2022 – Efficient, electric and affordable: creating better homes
This week’s episode of First Fuel is a recording of our panel titled ‘Efficient, Electric and affordable: Creating better homes,’ from the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit. In this panel, Program Director of Climate and Energy at ACOSS, Kellie Caught, was joined by: Vanessa Davis…
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80: Energy Efficiency Summit 2022 – Leaders Panel
This episode of First Fuel is a recording of the Leaders Panel at the 2022 National Energy Efficiency Summit. Delivered in person from Sydney, and streamed to a national online audience, the Summit brought together government, global experts, prominent consumer advocates and our largest industry...
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79: California dreaming with Andrew McAllister
Recorded in front of an intimate live audience in Melbourne on the eve of the 2022 Energy Efficiency Summit, episode 79 features Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel in conversation with California Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister. This was Commissioner McAllister’s first visit to...
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78: Farm panel – Energy management in agriculture
In Episode 78 of First Fuel we bring you a panel discussion from the launch of the Energy Efficiency Council’s sector spotlight on energy management opportunities for Australian farms, released in partnership with the National Farmers Federation in late 2021. Luke Menzel, CEO of the EEC is joined...
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77: Electrifying Europe with Thomas Nowak
In Episode 77 of First Fuel, EEC’s CEO Luke Menzel is joined by the Secretary General of the European Heat Pump Association, Thomas Nowak. Even prior to the war in Ukraine, Europe was already warming up to heat pumps, but the need to get away from Russian gas has supercharged that effort. Today,...
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76: 'He waka eke noa... we’re all in this together' with Dr Megan Woods
In Episode 76 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by New Zealand’s Minister of Energy and Resources, Dr Megan Woods. Luke and Minister Woods discuss New Zealand’s legislated climate targets, New Zealand’s proud history of action on energy efficiency, and two of the...
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75: Reinventing efficiency with Professor Nick Eyre
In Episode 75 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Professor Nick Eyre, Director at Oxford University's Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS). Luke and Nick discuss the impact of the European gas crisis on UK energy consumers and what can be…
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74: French dispatch with Dr Brian Motherway
In Episode 74 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency at International Energy Agency. Recorded on 4 July 2022 at the International Energy Agency headquarters in Paris, Luke and Brian take stock of the current state of energy...
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73: ‘A heat pump offensive’ with Frankie Muskovic and Carlos Flores
In Episode 73 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is again joined by Francesca Muskovic, Director – National Policy at the Property Council of Australia, and Carlos Flores, Director of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS). In this, the second part…
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72: Berlin correspondents with Frankie Muskovic and Carlos Flores
In Episode 72 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by two guests: Francesca Muskovic, Director – National Policy at the Property Council of Australia, and Carlos Flores, Director of the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS). This episode was...
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71: 'Ecology and economy' with Dr. Nicholas Matten
In Episode 71 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Dr Nicholas Matten, Managing Director of EEC industry Member Stiebel Eltron. During this episode – recorded at the Stiebel Eltron Energy Campus in Holzminden, Germany – Luke and Nicholas discuss the history of...
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70: 'Skilling up for net zero' with Scott Ferraro and Holly Taylor
In Episode 70 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by two guests, EEC Head of Projects Holly Taylor and Program Director of the Net Zero Initiative at Monash University, Scott Ferraro. In this episode, Luke, Holly and Scott discuss the launch of the EEC Professional...
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69: 'An overnight success, a decade in the making' with Adrian Joyce
In Episode 69 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined live and in person at the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2022 by Adrian Joyce, Director of Renovate Europe. Luke and Adrian unpack the goals, approach and achievements of Renovate Europe, a political...
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68: 'A climate election' with Frankie Muskovic and Tennant Reed
In Episode 68 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined live at the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2022 with two guests: Francesca Muskovic, National Policy Manager for Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at the Property Council of Australia, and Tennant Reed…
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67: 'Imaginary friends' with Lynne Gallagher
In Episode 67 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined Lynne Gallagher, CEO of Energy Consumers Australia (ECA). Luke and Lynne discuss the importance of centring consumer perspectives in the energy transition, how supporting consumers behind the meter can have big...
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66: Untapped opportunity with Sagarika Subramanian
In Episode 66 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Sagarika Subramanian, Senior Research Analyst for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) to discuss the 2022 International Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Luke and Sagarika discuss the countries...
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65: Sparking debate with Jorge Chapa and Taryn Cornell
In Episode 65 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Jorge Chapa, Head of Market Transformation, and Taryn Cornell, Senior Manager, Green Star Strategy & Development from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Luke, Jorge and Taryn discuss the GBCA’s new...
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64: 'Get your nerd on' with Jarrod Leak
In Episode 64 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Jarrod Leak, CEO at the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity (A2EP). Luke and Jarrod discuss A2EP’s new online resource – futureheat.info – which showcases tools, webinars and case studies on the use of…
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63: 'A long term framework' with Zali Steggall MP
In Episode 63 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Zali Steggall MP, the Federal Member for Warringah and a prominent advocate for climate action. Luke and Zali discuss the importance of proactive effort on climate adaptation, how she would approach negotiations…
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62: 'Tackling the climate crisis' with Adam Bandt MP
In Episode 62 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Adam Bandt MP, Leader of The Greens in the Federal Parliament and spokesperson on the Climate Emergency, Energy, Employment and Workplace Relations. Luke and Adam discuss the crucial role of energy efficiency and...
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61: 'Building the industrial future' with Tim Wilson MP
In Episode 61 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by the Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Tim Wilson MP. They discuss Tim's postgraduate study in energy and carbon management, how he thinks about climate and energy...
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60: ‘An economic focus’ with Chris Bowen MP
In Episode 60 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by the Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP. Luke and Chris discuss the climate and energy policies the Australian Labor Party is taking to this year’s Federal election. This is the first in…
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59: 'A bolder ambition' with Dr Mary Stewart
In Episode 59 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Dr Mary Stewart, CEO of energy and climate advisory firm Energetics and President of the Energy Efficiency Council. Luke and Mary discuss the key take outs from the Conference of Parties in Glasgow, the drivers…
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58: Energy panel – Navigating to net zero
In Episode 58 of First Fuel, we bring you a panel discussion from the launch of the fourth edition of the Energy Efficiency Council’s annual energy briefing for Australian businesses, Navigating a dynamic energy landscape. Luke is joined by Wei Sue, System Lead for Sustainable Corporates at...
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57: Urgency and action with Tim Goodson
In Episode 57 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Tim Goodson, an Energy Analyst at the International Energy Agency. Luke and Tim discuss the IEA’s Net Zero by 2050 report, the importance of front-loading action on the pathway to net zero, and the role of...
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56: Climate panel – The pathway to net zero
In Episode 56 of First Fuel, we bring you a panel discussion from the joint opening plenary of Energy Efficiency Expo and All-Energy Australia, which took place just twelve days before the twenty-sixth Conference of Parties in Glasgow. Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by John...
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55: 'Getting all the fruit' with Mark Lister
In Episode 55 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Mark Lister, Chair of the Efficiency Valuation Organisation, the global body that drives best practice in the measurement and verification of energy savings. In anticipation of the first World M&V Week, Luke and...
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54: ‘Building science, not rocket science’ with Jenny Edwards and John Konstantakopoulous
In Episode 54 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by two guests. Jenny Edwards is a Director of Light House Architecture and Science and one of Australia’s leading experts in building envelope testing. John Konstantakopoulos is Managing Director of Efficiency Matrix...
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53: Euro vision with Ruud Kempener
In Episode 53 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Ruud Kempener from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy. Luke and Ruud discuss the European Union’s ambition to cut its emissions by at least 55% by 2030, the Commission’s suite of ambitious…
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52: 'Safeguard mechanism performance art' with Alison Reeve
In Episode 52 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director of the Energy and Climate Program at Grattan Institute to unpack their new report Towards net zero: Practical policies to reduce industrial emissions. Luke and Alison discuss...
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51: 'This won't hurt a bit' with Tennant Reed
In Episode 51 of First Fuel, Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel is joined by Tennant Reed, Head of Climate, Energy and Environment Policy at Australian Industry Group to discuss their recent paper on the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Luke and Tennant unpack what...
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50: Mirror universe with Luke Menzel
In Episode 50 of First Fuel, Efficiency Canada’s Executive Director, Corey Diamond, is joined by Luke Menzel, CEO of the Energy Efficiency Council, Australia’s peak body for energy efficiency, energy management and demand response. Luke and Corey discuss the origins of the Energy Efficiency...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel, First Fuel brings you the latest perspectives on energy efficiency, energy management and demand response from Australia and around the world.
HOSTED BY
Energy Efficiency Council
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First Fuel currently has 90 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is First Fuel about?
Hosted by Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel, First Fuel brings you the latest perspectives on energy efficiency, energy management and demand response from Australia and around the world.
How often does First Fuel release new episodes?
First Fuel has 90 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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First Fuel is created and hosted by Energy Efficiency Council.
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