About EnergyAE
Engineering excellence in clean energy technology
Our team combines expertise in thermal engineering, software simulation, and government policy navigation to deliver optimal results for manufacturers.
Why I do this
From a renewable energy castle to an industry niche
How did I get here? While completing a Master's at the University of Canterbury, I was modelling an experimental "renewable energy castle" in Christchurch: building-integrated PV/thermal panels that pre-heated air into air-to-water heat pumps, which then drove a hydronic slab. To analyse it, I bought a copy of TRNSYS from a small thermal-modelling start-up in Sydney called EnergyAE.
That purchase turned into a career. The founder, Jeremy Osborne, invited me to join after I graduated. Under Jeremy's wing, I spent three years in Sydney modelling solar water heaters to AS/NZS 4234, became a director in 2019, and have led the company since. Around that time the market shifted hard from solar to heat pump water heaters (HPWH), and EnergyAE was there to support the shift. Eleven years on, it's what I do every day, and I'm as passionate as ever about supporting the evolution of the HPWH industry.
What I love about this work is collaborating with all the different players of the industry to help manufacturers to design, develop, test, certify and register new products for the market. I want to make that process as streamlined as possible for my clients. I believe simulation modelling is an incredibly powerful tool for R&D as well as quantifying energy savings for government incentives. I also advocate for the end user, and help manufacturers develop products that will perform in the field, not just in the modelling.
Our view into product development across industry makes us an asset to help policy-makers develop & maintain schemes that drive the industry in the right direction, as we have done through our work co-developing VEU Activity 44 and ESS large commercial heat pump incentive methodologies with Victoria & NSW regulators.
Outside work, you will find me in the mountains, climbing, adventure racing, running, or gravel biking with my wife. Long alpine objectives, including an enchainment of New Zealand's 24x 3000m peaks, are the same kind of problem as building a consultancy in a niche this narrow: you commit to something hard, you plan it carefully, and you stay with it for years. That's the mindset I bring to every project.
— Alastair McDowell, Director
Meet our team
Specialists in thermal engineering, simulation technology, and energy policy.
Alastair McDowell
Director
Alastair is the managing director of EnergyAE and has over 11 years of experience in mechanical engineering, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and transient system analysis. He has significant expertise modelling water heaters, PV systems, and batteries, and helped develop the VEU and ESS large commercial heat pump methodologies.
Fiona Parenti
Principal Consultant
Fiona has vast experience in solar products, R&D, consulting, numerical modelling, and laboratory test services, particularly in the area of solar and heat pump water heaters. Her extensive academic and numerical modelling skills were honed during her PhD at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Harry Newman
Engineering Consultant
Harry is a mechanical engineer with a background in building services and a current focus on energy systems and heat pump development. His experience includes transient system analysis using TRNSYS, developing control schemes for heat pumps, and delivering projects across HVAC, hydraulic, and civil disciplines from design to commissioning.
Finn Petersen
Engineering Consultant
Finn is a mechanical engineer with expertise in heat transfer, finite element analysis, and fluid mechanics. He has experience modelling thermal systems including heat pump water heaters and is knowledgeable on Australian incentive schemes. He has significant research experience from his Masters of Engineering.
Our Projects
Selected project case studies
A selection of work for manufacturers, institutions, and government organisations.
Large Commercial Heat Pump Modelling for the VEU and ESS Schemes
EnergyAE worked with Stiebel Eltron, ESW, HydroHeat Supplies and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to apply their products to the VEU Part 44 and ESS IHEAB incentive scheme registries. We guided clients through EN 14511 testing, documentation review, energy modelling and final submission to scheme administrators.
Efficient Pool Heating with CoolSheet PVT Panels
EnergyAE created TRNSYS models for Sydney's Fanny Durack Aquatic Centre and North Sydney Olympic Park to evaluate CoolSheet PVT panels alongside existing gas heating systems. Results showed significant gas consumption reductions and improved LCOE.
Commercial Heat Pump Modelling for Automatic Heating
EnergyAE worked with Automatic Heating to apply their products to the VEU Part 44 and ESS IHEAB incentive scheme registries. Automatic Heating were the first company to successfully register large commercial HPWH systems with EN 14511 testing.
Curtin University Chiller Replacement Project
EnergyAE worked with Curtin University and Floth Engineering consultants to build complex TRNSYS models analysing the campus chilled water and hot water heating systems. The goal of the project was to select the most efficient new chillers and analyse heat recovery opportunities.
VEU Activity 44 and ESS IHEAB Method Development for Commercial & Industrial Heat Pump Water Heaters
EnergyAE worked with DEECA and DPIE (VIC & NSW regulators) to develop incentive scheme activity definitions for the performance assessment of commercial & industrial heat pump water heaters.
TRNSYS Training for King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)
EnergyAE delivered a 5-day TRNSYS training course for KACST, a prominent Saudi Arabian research institute to develop TRNSYS models for campus co-generation modelling.
TRNSYS Training for Sheffield University
EnergyAE delivered ongoing TRNSYS training for PhD students at Sheffield University, UK, to develop TRNSYS models ground-source heat pump systems.
1MW Solar Thermal System Modelling for Monash University
As part of Monash University's goal to become Australia's first 100% renewable energy-powered university, EnergyAE modelled a 1MW solar thermal system at the Clayton campus using TRNSYS to support design, integration, and performance analysis.
Innovative Home Ventilator Analysis
Engineering analysis of an innovative residential ventilator system to evaluate thermal performance and energy efficiency outcomes.
Case Studies: Clean Process Heat Opportunities
Investigation of solar thermal and heat pump opportunities for industrial process heat applications in the Australian context.
Hot Water Temperature Exposure Analysis
Technical analysis of hot water temperature exposure patterns to ensure Legionella compliance and optimal system design for heat pump water heaters.
Work with our team
Ready to optimise your product performance or navigate Australian incentive schemes? Get in touch today.
Contact us