Stories
New leader for Intyalheme
July 21, 2020
The Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy is pleased to announce that Tristan Simons has been appointed to the role of General Manager.
Newly appointed Intyalheme General Manager Tristan Simons
Tristan brings to the role a wealth of project management experience along with strong energy industry knowledge and contacts.
He has been part of Intyalheme since its inception, working alongside then-General Manager Sara Johnston to build the project from scratch.
Tristan aided Sara in bringing Australia’s first regional ARENA A‑Lab to Alice Springs, and since then has worked towards securing funding for projects that assist the Northern Territory in meeting its 50 per cent by 2030 Renewable Energy Target.
“The ARENA A‑Lab helped put Alice Springs on the map in the renewable energy space, and highlighted how complex a challenge it would be to integrate further renewable energy into the isolated local electricity grid,” said Tristan.
“In setting up Intyalheme it was acknowledged by the Northern Territory Government that no single entity could get Alice Springs to 50 per cent renewable energy,” he said.
“The main focus for the team is bridging gaps in relationships and knowledge in the energy industry, both within the NT and beyond.”
Intyalheme (pronounced in-char-lum) is a Central Arrernte word meaning ‘a fire flaring up again’. The name represents the need to ‘stoke the fire’ by way of leveraging local expertise generated during previous initiatives, to overcome challenges presented by the transition to a renewable energy future.
Glenn Marshall has led Intyalheme for the past year, and will continue working with the team.
For the past year, Glenn Marshall has held the position of General Manager, while Sara was on maternity leave. Glenn has skilfully led the establishment of a diverse consortium of energy stakeholders alongside the submission of several major grant applications. Further funding will start the transformation of the Alice Springs grid towards higher renewable energy penetration.
“We are delighted to announce that Glenn will remain part of the Intyalheme team,” said Tristan.
The immediate Intyalheme team consists of three people. Communications Officer Andrea Johnston has worked with Intyalheme since December 2018. Intyalheme is a project of Desert Knowledge Australia, and is well-supported by DKA staff. DKA CEO Dr Dan Tyson chairs the Intyalheme Executive Committee, which oversees the project’s activities and direction.
“Tristan’s deep knowledge and expertise in his role with Intyalheme has equipped him very well to assume the GM role,” Dr Tyson said.
“I would like to congratulate Glenn for his huge efforts over the last year or so, in managing a very complex project with many stakeholders and very tight timeframes to meet.”
The changes in staffing have been prompted by Sara’s resignation. Sara is continuing her career in Canberra.
Intyalheme’s first General Manager, Sara Johnston, pictured in April 2019 alongside Tristan Simons and Andrea Johnston who completed the Intyalheme team at the time.
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