Game-changer modelling aids net zero planning

Energy Exemplar is an energy modelling company that’s become a world leader. The company has created a highly sophisticated tool that can model future energy scenarios. This helps to accommodate renewables in a future energy mix.

Founded in Adelaide, Energy Exemplar is now a global team of more than 700 people. The company’s software means countries, states, cities and other agencies around the world can plan their transition to net zero while minimising risk. 

‘Australia is a great place to innovate – and we’ve taken an amazing product to a global audience,’ says David Wilson, CEO of Energy Exemplar. ‘We are one of the world’s leading platforms for energy modelling. And it all started in Adelaide.’

Predicting future energy use 

Energy Exemplar was founded in 1999, on the back of PhD research. The company’s core software, PLEXOS®, enables organisations to model the entire energy ecosystem, from energy production to consumption. 

‘What really excites me about energy is how fast the transition is happening,’ says Wilson. ‘But the higher you go in terms of renewables’ share of energy, the more sophisticated you have to be in terms of managing the mix of energy sources.’

According to Wilson, PLEXOS is a smart map for the future. It helps companies and governments to understand how energy and electricity prices will evolve. Customers can run multiple scenarios of the key drivers.

‘PLEXOS builds models that let people look into the future, understand what will happen with the energy system and how to navigate it,’ he adds.  

Practical support for complex energy transitions

Energy Exemplar expanded quickly after 2017, following a major investment.

‘We built our organisation wherever we thought demand would grow,’ says Wilson. ‘In 2017, we were 55 people; now we are 700. The energy transition has accelerated as the cost of renewables has fallen.’

Today, PLEXOS is used by organisations around the world to analyse current energy uncertainties. With future-looking insights, they can make data-driven decisions, manage risk and guide long-term planning. This can translate into adequate storage and continuity of energy supply.   

Use cases for the platform are varied. For example, in India, the software is helping renewable developer, ReNew integrate renewables into a fast-growing network. Read more about Energy Exemplar’s work in India in this case study.

In Ireland, PLEXOS is helping energy trading company ElectroRoute plan revenue from wind and solar farms 10 to 20 years into the future. 

‘Our software is globally successful, and we are represented in more than 90 countries,’ says Wilson. ‘We have a development team in Australia – including mathematicians – who work on the core technology, alongside specialists from around the world.’

Energy Exemplar’s platform helps organisations around the world to make data-driven decisions, manage risk and guide long-term planning for the entire energy ecosystem.

Energy Exemplar expands in the UK and US

One key global market is the UK. 

‘By the beginning of 2025 we had around 100 people in London alone,’ says Wilson. ‘The UK has a very ambitious net zero target, and they are making rapid progress towards it.

‘The national grid operator – NESO – now executes its future planning on PLEXOS. This means all the UK’s operational plans for its future energy mix are worked out on our technology.’

Meanwhile, the US is becoming another major market. This includes working with federal agencies. In 2025, the US Department of Energy’s Resource Adequacy Report used Energy Exemplar's PLEXOS® platform to simulate future electricity reliability across 23 US regions.

‘The US is moving quickly on renewables adoption, and we serve all the system operators,’ says Wilson. ‘In the US, we see massive demand for energy via electrification. This is partly due to demand for additional power from new data centres. 

‘We are working with an energy authority in Texas that has to supply 20 GW of power to new data centres. That’s the equivalent of one-third of Australia’s entire grid.’ 

Success in Europe and the Middle East

Energy Exemplar is particularly helpful at working out holistic solutions. This includes fitting together different elements in the energy supply chain and what it’s used for. 

For example, Abu Dhabi is dependent on desalination plants for water. This in turn means that energy modelling is inseparable from desalination. 

‘It is easier to store water rather than power, so you have to consider the 2 challenges together,’ says Wilson. ‘Our energy models mean we can figure out how to develop an energy plan that meets multiple societal needs at the lowest cost.’ 

In Europe, Energy Exemplar is helping develop macro-energy planning. 

‘We service ENTSO-e, which is an association of 40 transmission authorities in 36 countries,’ says Wilson. ‘They do Europe’s long-term energy planning on our platform.’ 

Austrade support in multiple markets

Wilson credits Austrade with helping turn a small Australian startup into a global leader.  

‘Austrade hosted meetings at their offices in London when we were just a newcomer,’ says Wilson. ‘They help you present yourself as the company you aspire to be. They have accelerated our growth trajectory.

‘The networking and facilitation have been phenomenal,’ he adds. ‘Austrade has helped us attend roadshows right around the world.’

Future ready: AI 

According to Wilson, Energy Exemplar has an ‘innovate or die’ approach. This means expansion will continue. 

‘In technology you are never done … not by any stretch,’ he says. ‘With AI, the pace of change is accelerating.’

Energy Exemplar is now using AI to build new capabilities into its service that allow users to be more efficient. This helps customers make more informed decisions. 

‘It’s not just about speed,’ says Wilson. ‘AI tools can help customers optimise solutions and drive better outcomes.’