Archived papers and submissions

Response to AEMC draft Rule Determination by Dr Ron Ben David 2021

Response to consultation on Better Bills by Dr Ron Ben David September 2021

Response to Consultation on the draft better resets Handbook by Dr Ron Ben David Oct 2021

Review of consumer protections for future energy services. Options for reform of the National Energy Customer Framework by Dr Ron Ben David  December 2021

Energy market uncertainty, consumer protection, and a new duty of care by Dr Ron Ben David  April 2022

Consultation on proposed legislative changes to incorporate an emissions reduction objective into the national energy objectives Dr Ron Ben David February 2023

Dr Ron Ben-David Professorial Fellow Monash University  Regulatory over-reach in the energy transition. A case study: Gas tariffs 1 June 2023

Dr Ron Ben-David Professorial Fellow Monash University On collision course: Economic regulation and the energy transition June 2023

Dr Ron Ben-David Professorial Fellow Monash University Rethinking markets, regulation and governance for the energy transition August 2023

Dr Ron Ben-David Professorial Fellow Monash University  Six institutional reforms for a timely energy transition September 2023

Dr Ron Ben-David Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School  Focussing on a timely energy transition November 2023

Dr Ron Ben-David Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School How energy efficiency could become the villain of the energy transition November 2023

Submission responding to the Directions Paper: Social licence for electricity transmission projects  December 2023

Submission to the Australian Energy Market Commission

A paper written by Professorial Fellow Ron Ben David which responds to the Commission’s consultation paper, The pricing review: Electricity pricing for a consumer-driven future, November, 2024.

To read the full paper click HERE

On borrowed time? The future of the retail energy market

A paper written by Professorial Fellow Ron Ben David which was presented to Energy Retail Excellence conference (3-5 December 2024)

To read the full paper click HERE

Submission to the select Committee on Energy Planning and  Regulation in Australia

This submission written by Professorial Fellow, Ron Ben David covers two main sections:

Section 1 focuses on the urgent reform of recognising consumers legislatively, emphasising that this is not merely a courteous move but a fundamental economic necessity for the efficiency and effectiveness of national energy markets. It suggests introducing a new regulatory objective into relevant laws and provides two examples to illustrate how this objective could be practically implemented through updated market and regulatory structures.

Section 2 addresses the terms of reference, acknowledging their breadth and complexity, which could each warrant an in-depth, year-long examination. Consequently, the section provides high-level comments on these topics due to their expansive nature.

To read the full submission click HERE

Submission responding to the commission’s draft terms of reference for a proposed review into Electricity pricing for a consumer-driven future

In this insightful submission, Professorial Fellow, Ron Ben David presents a comprehensive examination of the current energy market and its regulatory framework. Divided into three sections, the submission first highlights the risks consumers face if the review process fails to bridge the gap between regulatory assumptions and market realities. The second section offers five innovative approaches to rethinking energy consumers and markets, aiming to enhance understanding and engagement. Concluding with actionable recommendations, the third section proposes nine strategies for addressing the complexities of the market and improving consumer experiences through transparency, collaboration, creativity, and critical analysis.

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Monash University or its affiliated institutes.

To read the full submission click HERE

Unlocking green metals opportunities for a Future Made in Australia: consultation paper

The Australian Government has identified green metals—specifically low-emissions iron, steel, alumina, and aluminium—as a priority industry for its "Future Made in Australia" initiative. The goal is to understand the barriers to decarbonising green metals production and to identify what would encourage new investment in these sectors. This will guide policy development to support a green metals industry in Australia and contribute to the government's Net Zero Plan, including the Industrial Sector Plan.

To achieve this, the government sought insights, data, and analysis from various stakeholders, which is what this paper is in response to.

Submission to the Treasury’s Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive Consultation

Dr Changlong Wang, Dr Graham Palmer, Associate Professor Stuart Walsh, Adjunct Associate Professor Scott Hamilton & Associate Professor Roger Dargaville submitted a submission to the Treasury’s Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive Consultation .

Overview

This  submission was led by the Monash Energy Institute, which promotes and facilitates Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Transition research. The institute leverages its strengths in novel solar PV and storage materials, green hydrogen and ammonia production and storage, and AI research. It collaborates with the energy industry to accelerate the growth of Australia’s hydrogen sector through initiatives like the Monash-Geoscience Australia Hydrogen Economic Fairways Tool, the Woodside Monash Energy Partnership, the Victorian Renewable Liquid Hydrogen Supply Hub, the Monash hydrogen life-cycle assessment tool, leadership of the Electricity Networks Program in the RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre, and the Monash Grid Innovation Hub.

This submission draws on Monash's extensive research capabilities in hydrogen and energy transition to provide insights and recommendations for the Treasury’s Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive consultation.

To read the full submission click HERE

Submission to Carbon Leakage Review Consultation

Dr Changlong Wang, Dr Graham Palmer, Adjunct Associate Professor Scott Hamilton & Associate Professor Roger Dargaville recently wrote a submission to Carbon Leakage Review Consultation.

Overview

This submission utilizes Monash's research capabilities in energy transition and industry decarbonisation to provide insights and recommendations for addressing carbon leakage risks and potential policy responses.

To read the full submission click HERE

Evidence of the impact of our academics expert advice on government policy.

Read the full  Government response HERE

Monash Energy Institute group submissions

Submission in response to the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Design

Associate Professor Guillaume Roger,  Professor Simon Wilkie and  Dr Gordon Leslie recently responded to the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) Design. To read the full submission, click HERE

The Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) fosters new investment in renewable and clean dispatchable energy capacity, such as wind, solar, and battery storage, to enhance Australia's energy system. It targets a more reliable, affordable, and low-emissions energy landscape, aiming to deliver additional 32 GW capacity by 2030 and meet the 82% renewable electricity target. Through competitive tender bids, the CIS will fill expected reliability gaps as coal power stations phase out. It promises economic growth, job creation, and support for regional communities and Indigenous peoples. The Australian Government provides revenue underwriting with defined 'floor' and 'ceiling' levels to reduce financial risks for investors and stimulate investment in necessary areas. Revenue underwriting is a global mechanism to support energy transition. Learn more about CIS design here.

Comments on the Capacity Investment Scheme

MuEI group submissions to DCCEEW on hydrogen certification

Monash University, a leader in renewable energy research, contributes to the consultation through this submission. As the largest university in Australia, Monash is globally present, committed to addressing Climate Change, Geopolitical Security, and Thriving Communities through initiatives like the Net Zero 2030 Initiative. This submission, led by the Monash Energy Institute, leverages the university's expertise in Climate Change Mitigation, Energy Transition, and hydrogen research to provide insights and recommendations for the GO scheme. Monash's impactful projects, such as the Monash-Geoscience Australia Hydrogen Economic Fairways Tool and the Victorian Renewable Liquid Hydrogen Supply Hub, demonstrate its commitment to accelerating Australia's hydrogen industry.

Submission to the Australia’s Guarantee Prioritisation Survey (Part I: Ammonia)

Submission to the Australia’s Guarantee Prioritisation Survey - (Part 2: Iron/Steel)

Inquiry into the feasibility of undergrounding the transmission infrastructure for renewable energy projects

The Monash Energy Institute is pleased to present the diversity of Monash University’s specialised expert insights on the Inquiry concerning the feasibility of undergrounding the transmission infrastructure for renewable energy projects. The core activities of the authors of this response include conducting rigorous research on energy transition topics and educating students comprising both future and current industry professionals.

This paper includes preliminary results from a capacity expansion model developed to identify the optimal combination of electricity generation, transmission, and storage systems. We welcome the opportunity to conduct a more rigorous study.

Preliminary MUREIL Modelling Results

Undergrounding the Transmissions Infrastructure

Future Gas Strategy: consultation paper

The Australian Government is in the process of formulating a Future Gas Strategy and is inviting input to assist in strategic planning for the future. This aims to facilitate Australia's and the region's transition to a net-zero scenario. The strategy will outline both medium-term (up to 2035) and long-term (up to 2050) plans for gas production and consumption in Australia. Acknowledging the uncertainties surrounding the future of gas, the strategy will prioritize flexibility to enhance resilience in the face of unforeseen events and circumstances.

Submission to the Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy Review Consultation

This paper is the submission to the National Hydrogen Strategy Review Consultation. The current review of Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy, launched in 2019, aims to align it with new strategic objectives related to domestic decarbonization, economic benefits, and global hydrogen leadership. Monash University, with its strong commitment to climate change mitigation and energy transition, brings extensive research capabilities in hydrogen and energy transition to contribute insights and recommendations to this review process

Monash University’s Response to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources 
This paper presents a response by members of the Monash Energy Institute and other Monash University researchers to questions embedded in the Technology Investment Roadmap Discussion Paper.

Monash Energy Institute Response to the ACOLA (Australian Energy Transition Research Plan Design Issues Paper)
The Australian Council of Learned Academics (ACOLA) is consulting a broad range of stakeholders from across Australia’s energy sector to inform the development and design of an Australian Energy Transition Research Plan (the Research Plan).

Researcher submissions

Dr Ron Ben-David, Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School: Meditations on an imaginary electricity Market, January 2024

Dr Ron Ben-Ben David, Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School: What if the consumer energy market were based on reality rather than assumptions?, July 2024

Frits de Nijs, Research Fellow - Department of Data Science & AI: AI-ready flexible buildings to minimise carbon intensity, October 2024

Dr Ron Ben-David, Professorial Fellow - Monash Business School: Crunch time for a consumer duty in the energy market, December 2025.

Kaviani, F., Strengers, Y. A. A., & Dahlgren, K. (2025). Report: Household and home businesses research: emerging lifestyles, preferences and practices, October 2025.

Prof Hai L Vu, A/Prof Roger Dargaville, Dr Changlong Wang, Prof Yolande Strengers, Dr Fareed Kaviani, Parliamentary submission to the Inquiry of Electricity Supply for Electric Vehicles, October 2025

A/Prof Darryl Biggar, A/Prof Gordon Leslie, A/Prof Andrew Rendall. Prof Guillaume Roger, Shreejan Pandey (Contributor) Dr Veronika Nemes (External reviewer) – Reforming the NEM: Key recommendations, September 2025

Dr Ron Ben-David, Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School: Reforming and Re-Forming the consumer electricity market, September 2025.

Yitian Wang and Russell Smyth – Monash Business School: The Effect of Extreme Wildfire Exposure on Energy Poverty: Evidence from Australia's Black Saturday Bushfires, August 2025.

Dr Ron Ben-David, Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School: Submission to AEMC Pricing Review, Essays on rethinking the consumer electricity market: The Box Set, July 2025.

Prof Guillaume Roger – Monash Business School: Economic Roundtable Submission, July 2025.

Dr Ron Ben-David, Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School:  The 500lb gorilla of the gas transition, May 2025.

Dr Ron Ben-David, Professorial Fellow – Monash Business School: Energy equity and market design. Squaring the circle, May 2025.