The National Energy Efficiency Awards are back in 2021 to recognise and celebrate excellence in energy management, energy efficiency and demand response across Australia.
The date and time of the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2021 Gala will be announced and nominations will be open soon. If you would like to be notified when nominations are open please add your details here, or if you would like to enquire about sponsorship of an award, please email awards@eec.org.au.
Past winners
For details on winners from the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2020, click here.
The National Energy Efficiency Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in energy efficiency, energy management and demand response across Australia.
Presented by the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2020 were announced across the three days of the National Energy Efficiency Conference, 24-26 November 2020. Luke Menzel, CEO of the Energy Efficiency Council, congratulated the winners.
“These people, projects and programs represent very best in residential, industrial, commercial and government efficiency and demand response in Australia. We at the EEC are always excited to be recognising world-class energy efficiency projects through the National Energy Efficiency Awards.”
The National Energy Efficiency Awards 2020 were supported by award sponsors Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and award partners Renew, Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA) and Australian Energy Foundation (AEF).
2020 AWARD WINNERS
Energy Efficiency Champion 2020
Winner: Kellie Caught
Presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in advancing the energy efficiency industry, through advocacy, research, education or projects.
Kellie has been a tireless advocate and formidable campaigner for both energy efficiency and the needs of Australians, particularly vulnerable households. Kellie's ability to drive cross sector collaboration has put energy efficiency at the heart of the debate around better housing for all Australian's, and Kellie's dedication has resulted in genuine social and environmental outcomes.
Young Energy Efficiency Professional 2020
Winner: Siddharth Sheth
Presented to an individual under 35 years of age, who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in advancing the energy efficiency industry, through advocacy, research, education or projects
Sid leads a team of analysts and engineers as part of City FM’s Energy Centre, where has demonstrated outstanding leadership as well as a focus and dedication to individual growth and the growth of the sector.
Energy Efficiency Council Life Fellow
Stuart Macfarlane
For significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Energy Efficiency Council.
Stuart was a founding Energy Efficiency Council Board member and served as a Director on the Council’s Board for 10 years. Over that period, he held the offices of Secretary and Vice-President, before retiring in 2019. Stuart played a cruicial role in growing the Council from a fledgling organisation into the respected and influential industry association it is today. His strategic insight, his consistent engagement, and his attention to detail were mainstays of board conversation for a decade. He also took a keen interest in the welfare of staff throughout that period, and acted as a trusted advisor to the EEC Leadership team.
Best Innovation in Energy Efficiency 2020
Winner: Zen Air
Recognising performance, leadership and innovation for new products that deliver improvements in energy productivity
The Zen Air device turns a compatible smartphone into a split air conditioner remote control that provides new conveniences that improve daily lifestyle, for example by integrating tailored device settings into users’ daily routines. Reduced energy demand and greater system efficiency translates into more reliable and longer-lasting air conditioning units. The ability to remotely monitor the system to check and control its operation offers additional visibility and insight. For example, users can monitor the HVAC system while on vacation or track for indoor temperature and humidity. The Zen Air product and initial software applications offer immediate energy savings of up to 30 percent and is a great example of a user friendly, accesible and effective innovation.
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project 2020
Winner: RACV Noosa Resort
Recognising performance, leadership and innovation for commercial building energy efficiency projects.
RACV Noosa Resort rolled out a web-enabled energy management system for cost savings and convenience and to address a key area of environmental impact for the resort. RACV Noosa Resort worked with Zen Ecosystems to install Zen Thermostats in 170 apartments and integrate the Zen HQ cloud platform. This highly effective, web enabled energy management system is delivering significant cost savings and reducing environmental impacts, including a reduction 120,000kWh and $90,000 per year in energy costs, and saving approximately $15K per year in HVAC maintenance and replacement costs.
Best Agricultural Energy Efficiency Project 2020
Winner: Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group
Recognising performance, leadership and innovation for on-farm agricultural energy efficiency projects.
Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group partnered with the Cayley family and Bundaberg Sugar Services in an efficiency-first approach to farm irrigation energy management. The replacement of over 500m of irrigation piping, combined with extensive weather and soil type analysis to determine optimal irrigations scheduling resulted in a 42% reduction in energy per tonne of sugarcane harvested – a surprisingly simple solution with huge potential to lead industry wide change. The Cayley family are not the only ones benefiting from the success of the project, they are leading the way in knowledge sharing across the region, enabling increased uptake in energy reduction measures for irrigation.
Highly commended: Websters Group
Best Residential Energy Efficiency Project 2020
Winner: FERN, by Steele Associates
Recognising performance, leadership and innovation for residential energy efficiency projects
The Fern has been designed as Sydney’s urban oasis and is Australia’s first Passive House apartments. Set on a challenging, compact city site, passive solar design was made difficult by adverse site orientation and firewall requirements. Despite this, FERN is a first class demonstration of what's possible in residential new builds. Fern achieves passive house principles of stringent air tightness, continuous unbroken insulation, high performance glazing, structural thermal breaks, and heat recovery ventilation. The building envelope is highly efficient, and provides comfortable temperatures. The 21kW PV system generates more electricity that the Fern uses, and provides all energy including hot water and cooking, with no gas connected to the property. Highly commended: Gillies Hall by Monash University
Leading Energy User 2020 & Intrgrated Clean Energy Award
Winner: Pernod Ricard Winemakers
Leading Energy User is presented to an energy user that has demonstrated excellence in energy management at either the site or portfolio level
Integrated Clean Energy is presented to a nominated project that has demonstrated excellence in integrating high levels of energy productivity and renewable energy at the site, portfolio, precinct or community level
Pernod Ricard have undertaken multiple efficiency projects, including the consolidation and optimisation of refrigerating plants; Sensor and LED Lighting upgrades; and Insulation for warehouse storage. They have installed 3MW of generation capacity at two Barossa Valley wineries, generating approximately 20% of the company’s annual energy usage. To meet the remaining 80% of demand Pernod Ricard has signed a Virtual Generation Agreement via Flow Power. Further, they have implemented ongoing demand response. Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ approach is a fantastic example of holistic energy strategy and innovation leveraged to meet sustainability commitments.
Best Energy Saving Program 2020
Winner: ActewAGL & ACT Government
Awarded to programs that drive improvements in energy management, increase retrofit opportunities, improve reliability or deliver other benefits to the grid.
ActewAGL introduced the Energy Efficiency Upgrade program for Public Housing in December 2018. The Program is co-funded by ActewAGL and the ACT Commissioner for Social Housing to deliver 2,200 energy efficient upgrades to public housing properties in the ACT. The Program replaces old inefficient ducted gas heaters to ducted reverse cycle, gas room heaters to room air conditioners and gas hot water to hot water heat pumps. The Program aims to improve the energy efficiency of the eligible properties through innovative products and market leading technology, all while helping vulnerable people better manage their energy usage and costs of living.
Day 1, 24 November 2020
Day 2, 25 November 2020
Day 3, 26 November 2020
NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARDS 2020, PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICICENCY AWARDS 2020, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
National Energy Efficiency Awards 2018
The National Energy Efficiency Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in energy efficiency, cogeneration and demand management across Australia.
Presented by the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2018 were announced on Monday 19 November 2018 at the Gala Dinner of the National Energy Efficiency Conference held at the Sofitel Wentworth in Sydney.
The Energy Efficiency Council congratulates all of the winners.
2018 AWARD WINNERS
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project 2018
Winner: Orora Group - Botany Paper Mill 
Highly Commended: Saputo, Genesis Now & VABOSS
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project 2018
Winner: Museums Victoria & Siemens 
Under the Victorian Government’s Greener Government Building Program, Museums Victoria partnered with global technology company Siemens, to undertake a number of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability measures. Completed in 2017, the successes at Museums Victoria are already tangible: CO2 emissions have fallen by 16%; water consumption has dropped by 6%; and they have achieved a total annual energy reduction of 3,247,976 kWh.
Best Residential Energy Efficiency Project 2018
Winner: Pooled Energy 
With Pooled Energy, swimming pools are continually optimised for time-of-day, time-of-year, weather, forecast, solar PV input, swimming use, water chemistry, the cost and price of power and the technical state of the Grid. Saving customers approximately 30% in their total household electricity consumption.
Highly commended: Croft Wooton Construction
Leading Energy User 2018
Winner: Target Australia 
Integrated Clean Energy Award 2018
Winner: Orora Group - Botany Paper Mill 
Best Innovation in Energy Efficiency 2018
Winner: MAC Energy Efficiency Group - EEIQ 
Best Energy Saving Program 2018
Winner: ACT Government 
Young Energy Efficiency Professional 2018
Winner: Michael Li 
Michael managed the delivery of Built to Perform, an initiative led by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia. Built to Perform provides an industry-led evidence base to support governments set a trajectory for tighter energy efficiency standards for buildings that rises over time.
Energy Efficiency Champion 2018
Winner: Jon Jutsen 
For over 30 years, Jon has been an enthusiastic and tenacious lobbyist for our sector. From the founding of Energetics in 1984, through to his current role as Chair of the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, Jon has worked diligently to raise the profile of energy productivity and efficiency both nationally and internationally. Jon has played key roles in attracting funding to efficiency and productivity measures as well as promoting outcomes and the importance of addressing the demand side.
Energy Efficiency Council Fellow
Simon James
A Fellow is an individual that has made an exceptional contribution to the Energy Efficiency Council and its mission to build the market for energy efficiency products and services. Simon James was elected as the President for Energy Efficiency Council during our first conference, in 2009, and held that post until he stepped down as 2013. During his tenure as President, the EEC grew from a tiny start-up organisation to a nationally-recognised leader in the sector and the community. Under his leadership, the EEC become a highly influential and respected voice in the energy debate.
National Energy Efficiency Awards 2018, proudly supported by:
National Energy Efficiency Awards 2017
The National Energy Efficiency Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in energy efficiency, cogeneration and demand management across Australia.
Presented by the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) and now in its sixth year, the winners of the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2017 were announced on Monday 20 November 2017 at the Gala Dinner of the National Energy Efficiency Conference held at the Pullman Melbourne Albert Park.
The Energy Efficiency Council extends warm congratulations to all of the winners.
2017 AWARD WINNERS:
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project - above 2,000 SQM
Winner: Melbourne Cricket Club for Enhancing energy efficiency at the MCG
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project
Winner: Toll Group for Toll - Nike Energy Efficiency Upgrade
Best Residential Energy Efficiency Project
Winner: Switch Your Thinking
Best ‘Smart Energy’ Project
Winner: RMIT University for RMIT University - Sustainable Urban Precincts Program
Best Innovation in Energy Efficiency
Winner: Vivid Industrial for MATRIXX® - an intelligent LED lighting platform
Best Energy Saving Program
Winner: Department Environment, Land, Water and Planning for Victorian Energy Upgrades
Highly Commended: NSW Government - Energy Saver for Business
Leading Energy User
Winner: Unitywater for Unitywater Energy Reduction Program
Young Energy Efficiency Professional 2017
Winner: Jason Harrison, Airmaster
Energy Efficiency Champion 2017
Winner: Alan Pears, RMIT
National Energy Efficiency Awards 2016
The National Energy Efficiency Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in energy efficiency, cogeneration and demand management across Australia.
Presented by the Energy Efficiency Council and now in their fifth year, the winners of the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2016 were announced on Tuesday 16 November 2016 at the Gala Dinner of the National Energy Efficiency Conference, held at the Australian Technology Park, Evelegh NSW.
The Energy Efficiency Council extends warm congratulations to all of the winners.
2016 Award Winners:
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project 2016
Winner: Parmalat and MINUS40 for refrigeration plant upgrade
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Best Energy Efficiency Innovation 2016
Winner: enLighten Australia for Chamaeleon III
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Best Energy Savings Program 2016
Winner: Sustainability Victoria for Energy Efficient Office Buildings
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Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project 2016
Winner: CBUS Property, Charter Hall & Knight Frank for 171 Collins St Melbourne
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Highly Commended: Mirvac for Bay Centre
Leading Energy User 2016
Supported by the Energy Users Association of Australia
Winner: Woolworths for Project Enlighten
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Highly Commended: Commonwealth Bank of Australia Reducing Carbon Footprint
Young Energy Efficiency Professional 2016
Winner: Leon Wurfel, Bueno Systems
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Highly Commended: Grace Foo, Energy Action
Energy Efficiency Champion 2016
Winner: Louise Vickery, ARENA
National Energy Efficiency Awards 2015
The National Energy Efficiency Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in energy efficiency, cogeneration and demand management across Australia.
Delivered by the
Energy Efficiency Council and presented in partnership with the Energy Users Association of Australia, the awards were presented at the gala dinner of the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2015 on 17 November at Pullman Melbourne on the Park.
The Energy Efficiency Council extends warm congratulations to all of the winners.
2015 Award Winners:
Best SME Energy Efficiency Project 2015
Winner: Ryan Meat Company and MINUS40 for commercial to industrial refrigeration upgrade
Best Residential Energy Efficiency Project 2015
Winner: CitySmart for Reduce Your Juice
Best Energy Savings Program 2015
Winner: Moreland Energy Foundation, for achievements 2000-2015
Best Demand Response Project 2015
Winner: Australian Textile Mills and EnerNOC for Technology-Enabled Critical Peak Demand Response
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project 2015
Winner: Tri-Tech Chemical and Genesis Now for Tri-Tech's Energy Makeover
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project 2015
Winner: Mirvac Property Trust for Sirius
Highly Commended: Frasers Property Australia for The Ponds Shopping Centre
Leading Energy User 2015
Winner: Charter Hall Group for energy efficiency in the Charter Hall Office Trust
Energy Efficiency Champion 2015
Winner: Stuart Nesbitt, Climate Change Technical Officer at Moreland City Council
The National Energy Efficiency Awards 2015 are presented in partnership with the Energy Users Association of Australia with support from NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
Awards Partners
National Energy Efficiency Awards 2014
The winners of the National Energy Efficiency Awards 2014 were announced at the gala dinner of the National Energy Efficiency Conference 2014 on 11 November at Swissotel Sydney. The winners were:
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project 2014
Winner - Australian Technology Park and Building IQ
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project 2014
Winner - Primo Smallgoods and Ecosave
Highly Commended - Parmalat and Out Performers
Best Cogeneration or District Energy Project 2014
Winner - Total Construction and Frasers Property Group
Best Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) Energy Efficiency Project 2014
(in partnership with NSW Office of Environment and Heritage)
Winner - Kilsyth Basketball Centre and AGL Energy Services
Best Demand Response Project 2014
Winner - ERM Business Energy and EnerNOC
Best Energy Savings Program 2014
Winner - Energy Savings Scheme and NSW Government
Energy Efficiency Champion 2014
Winner - Paul Bannister, Energy Action
Highly Commended - Graham Bryant, Simplot
Leading Energy User 2014
Winner - Orora Ltd
Highly Commended - Simplot Australia
The Energy Efficiency Council extends warm congratulations to all award winners.
Energy Efficiency Council Industry Awards 2013
The Awards were presented at the Energy Efficiency Council's Annual Conference 2013 Gala Dinner on in Melbourne on 3rd December 2013.
The Awards winners were:
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project
Winner: Exery Australia and Quintessential Group
Project title: 87 Marsden Street, Parramatta NSW
Highly Commended: Sustainable Focus and SA Pathology
Project title: SA Pathology Retrofit
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project
Winner: Minus40 and Fonterra
Project title: Fonterra Wagga Wagga Refrigeration Plant Upgrade
Highly Commended: Genesis Now
Project title: Automotive Component Manufacturer Energy Efficiency Program
Best Cogeneration or District Energy Project
Winner: Qantas and GridX Power
Project title: Qantas Mascot Trigeneration Project
Leading Energy User (a joint Energy Efficiency Council and EUAA Award)
Winner: DEXUS
Highly Commended: Australia Post
Best Demand Response Project
Winner: TransGrid and EnerNOC
Project title: Transgrid Sydney Inner Metro DR Program
Best Energy Saving Program
Joint Winners:
City of Melbourne
Project title: 1200 Buildings Program
City of Sydney
Project title: Better Buildings Partnership
Energy Efficiency Leader 2013
Geoff Andrews
The Energy Efficiency Council extends warm congratulations to all award winners.
Energy Efficiency Council Industry Awards 2012
The 2012 Energy Efficiency Council Industry Awards were presented at the EEC's national conference in Sydney on 5 December 2012.
The winners were:
Best Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Project
Charlestown Square - The GPT Group / TSF Engineering
Best Industrial Energy Efficiency Project
Sino Iron Project: Combined Cycle Gas Fired Power Station - CITIC Pacific Mining
Best Cogeneration Project
AGL/Qenos Altona cogeneration project - Qenos & Altona Energy Services
Best Energy Saving Program
NABERS and the CBD Program - NSW OEH / DCCEE
Special Commendation also goes to Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program - DRET
Leadership Award
Sam Burke (Victorian Greener Government Buildings Program) - Victorian DTF
The Energy Efficiency Council extends warm congratulations to all award winners.