Our Leadership

The ANU Centre for Energy Systems' (ACES) Leadership Group consists of the Centre's Co-Directors and a team of research and professional staff who meet regularly to drive the strategic direction of the program. 

Kylie Catchpole

 

Professor Kylie Catchpole is co-Director of the ANU Centre for Energy Systems and a research leader and educator in the School of Engineering at the Australian National University. Her research focus is on renewable energy integration and creation of a resilient future energy system, as well as solar technology. She has a strong background in modelling of renewable energy technology and technoeconomic modelling of renewable energy systems. She has been awarded several fellowships including a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council and she was awarded the inaugural John Booker Medal for Engineering Science from the Australian Academy of Science. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Heather Logie

 

Heather Logie is co-Director of the ANU Centre for Energy Systems, and an Associate Professor in the field of Renewable Energy. She has worked for many years promoting the integration of academic scholarship with practical experience in the area of future energy system design and operation, with a strong focus on placing people at the centre of problem solving. She has an academic background in psychology, policy, information and project management. Previously, Heather operated as an independent contractor providing business development, operational and logistical support to large renewables projects. Prior to this she held a number of senior positions in the Australian Public Sector in the areas of environmental, social and health services information and data management.

Kim Blackmore

 

Associate Professor Kim Blackmore is a Senior Fellow in the ANU Centre for Energy Systems. Kim enjoys the richness of collaborating across disciplines to address complex systems challenges. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Member of Engineers Australia. Kim began her academic journey with a PhD in Machine Learning followed by a role as a Defence Research Scientist in telecommunications. Kim spent time at the University of Canberra, where she advanced to Director of Teaching and Learning, overseeing academic services and a university-wide curriculum transformation. Returning to ANU in 2019, she directed the Centre for Learning and Teaching, guiding the university through the challenges of remote learning during COVID-19. In recent times Kim has been exploring the lens of cybernetics, and how systems thinking can be deployed in pursuit of decarbonisation and sustainability. 

Laura Jones

 

Laura Jones is an electrical engineer and systems thinker with 20 years of experience in consulting, electricity network planning, research, and innovation. She brings a unique ability to bridge engineering and social science, helping to shape energy transitions that are technically robust and socially responsive. Laura joined ANU to deepen her understanding of participatory and interdisciplinary approaches, and now leads research that connects consumer insights with system design and policy. At the ANU Centre for Energy Systems, Laura plays a key role in developing and delivering collaborative, impact-driven projects. She has led multidisciplinary trials exploring Vehicle-to-Grid technology, household flexibility, and integration of distributed energy resources. 

Phillipa Watson

 

Dr Phillipa Watson is a Senior Research Fellow in the ANU Centre for Energy Systems investigating socio-technical aspects of energy transitions. She investigates social aspects of energy futures in order to identify optimum ways to integrate renewable energy into built environments and society. She has worked in commercial and research roles to facilitate smart, sustainable change for people via the buildings, technologies and energy systems they use, for over 25 years. Phillipa joined our team in 2022. She has extensive experience with applied research and integrates understanding of people, communities, housing, and energy contexts with transitions, design and decision making.

Joshua Vote

 

Josh Vote is the software lead at the ANU Centre for Energy Systems. He has been working for many years developing tools, standards and algorithms for orchestrating grid connected energy resources. His experience ranges from embedded devices to cloud computing and everything in between. He is a proponent of building robust infrastructure and teams and building things that make people’s lives a little easier. Previously, he has 20 years of professional software development experience working with the CSIRO, industry and as a private software consultant.