The electricity industry in Australia represents around $46 billion in annual revenues and is concentrated by a few large players. These players will fight hard given they have much to lose should the sector move from fossil fuels to renewables and from a centralised to a decentralised model.

Whilst the energy market still has a lot of change ahead, it is currently following the classic hallmarks of a disruptive process with a change in the playing field and well-funded new entrants. Lowering costs and innovative new technology is driving the change, which is likely to be ongoing.

The 2016 South Australian energy crisis sparked a highly topical debate around the use of new technologies in electricity generation and distribution in Australia. Newer technologies such as solar farms and batteries will likely form a much greater part in energy production into the future.

The new energy disrupters, Tesla, Carnegie Energy and Zen, now have a front seat at the table and are shaping the way of the future.  The larger incumbent generators and retailers stand to lose out in this new wave of technology emerges onto the market.