Darren Gladman becomes Energy Policy Manager at SMA Australia

Darren Gladman, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in climate and energy policy, has taken on the role of Energy Policy & Regulatory Manager at SMA Australia, a global frontrunner in the production of premium solar and battery inverter solutions. His diverse work history spans government, industry associations, businesses of all sizes, technology start-ups, and not-for-profit organisations. Always at the forefront of strategy, advocacy, media, and communication, he has spent the last 12 years shaping Australia's distributed energy industry.

In his new position at SMA Australia, Gladman will spearhead the advocacy strategy, aiming to effectuate reforms necessary for the transformation of the country's energy systems towards Net Zero. Expressing enthusiasm for the newly-assumed role, Gladman stated, "I could not be more excited to get started in this new role. Effective regulation and industry policy are the linchpins in steering our climate toward a sustainable future. As we navigate the complexities of climate change, regulation and policy serve as the compass, guiding our actions and shaping the trajectory of the energy landscape."

Gladman's distinguished career includes a decade-long stint (2012-2022) with the Clean Energy Council. Here, he was instrumental in formulating a strategic reform agenda for Australia's distributed energy sector. He prioritised aspects like economic regulation, technical standards, safety, and customer protection. During 2022-23, he headed Policy and Regulatory Affairs for SwitchDin, an Australian energy software provider. His focussed engagement on reforms to interoperability policy governed distribution networks, aggregators, and operators of virtual power plants.

Armed with an Electrical Engineering degree and a Master's in Environmental Science, and being a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Gladman adds significant academic and professional depth to his role. Doris Spielthenner, SMA Australia's Managing Director, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Darren to our team. Darren has the deep industry insights needed to help us advocate more effectively on industry policy and regulatory affairs."

Spielthenner further added that Gladman's wealth of expertise will greatly enhance SMA Australia's advocacy and engagement with policies and regulations both nationally and globally. "Darren's expertise will help SMA Australia advance its advocacy and engagement with policies and regulations in line with our strategy within Australia and globally," she said. She also expressed hope that Gladman's role would augment SMA's contributions to advancing all aspects of Australia's energy industry.