5 minutes with Damien Glanville, Managing Director & CEO of Locality Planning Energy
Damien’s journey in the industry so far.
How did you get into your industry?
Initially I started a business selling solar PV Systems to farmers and residential consumers. During this time, I took an active interest in the renewable energy market and tried to learn everything I could about it. When an opportunity arose on the Sunshine Coast, to develop the Valdora solar farm I jumped at it. Ultimately, this project allowed the Sunshine Coast Council to be the first council in Australia to offset 100 percent of its electricity consumption with energy from a renewable source. The Valdora project lead me down the path of where I am today. I knew there had to be better sustainable options for customers, at a time when energy retailers weren’t focused on customer benefiting initiatives and providing embedded networks to strata communities. This was one area we could effect change and link renewable energy, which would unlock savings to consumers.
If you weren’t in your current profession, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
That’s an easy question! When I finished high school, started driving trucks and ended up being an interstate truck driver. I love the peace and solitude you experience driving along long, open roads and you really see parts of Australia that you would not otherwise experience, you meet some interesting and amazing people. I would do it again, buy a Kenworth and cart hay or grain in a heartbeat.
Like many of us, you juggle a challenging role, a family and a life! What are your tips for finding and maintaining that ‘balance’?
I honestly don’t know that you ever get the balance right – I know I haven’t found it yet! However, I make sure I set aside time for my family and try to make sure I never miss important sporting events and the like. I also get up at 4am every day, walk the dog, and go to the gym and I have recently taken up wakeboarding every weekend which stops me thinking about work and the failed electricity market.
Have you ever had a mentor? What role did they play in your career? Or perhaps you’ve been a mentor – why did you want to take part?
A very special mentor came into my life at around 16. Mary was a beautiful lady who took me in and made sure I finished high school. Her kindness, love, and influence changed the trajectory of my life, and I will forever be in her debt for what she did for me. It is now my turn to give back which is why I support specific organisations and charities and make a difference where I can. I particularly love being involved in Generation Innovation and watching these talented young entrepreneurs have a crack at following their passion – they are so full of potential and its inspirational to be a part of.
If you were to leave the industry today, what’s something that you’re proud to have worked on, or been a part of?
When we entered the retail market, we knew that consumers inside high density living were paying too much for electricity and could not access renewable products and the savings available. We challenged the larger retailers, built a business around localised service which was missing, and introduced some initiative renewable energy solutions to multi tenancy living.