Prof. Matt Baumgurtel

Hamilton Locke, Australia

Matt Baumgurtel brings over 17 years’ experience in project development, construction, financing, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions transactions. He specialises in legal advice throughout the energy and infrastructure lifecycle, and acts for investors, developers, and constructors of solar, thermal, wind, hydrogen, electricity transmission, waste to energy and energy storage projects in Australia and the APAC region. Matt has acted extensively across the entire value chain of renewable energy projects, from financing to delivery.

Matt leads Hamilton Locke’s Energy, Infrastructure and Resources practice group and the Firm’s New Energy sector group and is also a director, secretary and key contributor to the industry-leading think tank, H2 Queensland, and actively contributes to the newly formed Australian Hydrogen Research Network.

Prior to joining Hamilton Locke, Matt was a partner and co-lead of the energy, infrastructure and resources group at K&L Gates. He was also previously the General Counsel of global solar developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) for eight years. Prior to this, he worked for a number of leading global and national law firms, including Gilbert + Tobin and Clifford Chance.

Speech Title: Electrifying Smart Cities through Distributed Energy Resources

Abstract: DER is the term used to describe small-scale energy generation systems such as rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicles. By 2050, DERs are expected to generate up to 45 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply.

DER are foundational to building smart cities as they assist in decentralising energy generation and integrating it directly into urban infrastructure. Technologies such as rooftop solar, battery storage, and virtual power plants (VPPs) enable cities to use existing grid infrastructure more efficiently, addressing transmission challenges and ensuring a more resilient, responsive energy supply. As cities and nations move toward greater electrification, the role of DER will be crucial in meeting future energy demands, reducing carbon footprints, and enhancing the sustainability of urban environments.