About IES
Our Story
Intelligent Energy Systems (IES) is an energy consultancy and software company that powers key decisions and people behind our global energy market. Through our deep expertise and market-leading products, we equip and empower energy regulators, generators, retailers, marketing operators, traders and others, to bring clarity and confidence in making better decisions.
Clients like the United Nations, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Australian Energy Market Operator trust us to advise and empower decisions to reduce risk, increase efficacy, and power future generations with stable, reliable energy.
We were there when the market was made
Hugh Bannister founded IES in Australia in 1983, and played a pivotal role in designing a structured approach to demand-side management that laid the foundation for our focus on market efficiency and system optimisation. In 1985, IES, in collaboration with CSIRO, developed one of Australia’s first cogeneration optimisation algorithms, demonstrating the power of large-scale optimisation on emerging PC platforms.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, IES worked on energy pricing reforms, demand-side management, and projects, including the development of Apollo, a financial modelling system for leveraged leasing used by major banks and investors for large capital projects.
From the early 1990s, IES became heavily involved in electricity market reform in Australia. We played a key role in the design of the restructured Victorian electricity market and contributed to the broader National Electricity Market (NEM) design. This included chairing the Pool Price Working Group, advising on forward price structures for vesting contracts, supporting integration with inter-state systems, and contributing to ancillary services market design.
Internationally, IES expanded its presence from 2000, initially through work with AusAID on energy policy modelling and capacity building across ASEAN countries. This evolved into a broader international portfolio including market design, system planning, renewable energy strategy, and interconnection studies in Southeast Asia, Central and south Asia, and the MENA region. Key partnerships are held with United Nations, Work Bank, Asian Development Bank where our advisory consultants provide expert advice on energy market projects.
Over the past four decades, we have played a significant role in shaping electricity markets in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, through technical advisory, market design, and the development of advanced software tools.
We were there when the market was made
Over the past four decades, we have played a significant role in shaping electricity markets in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, through technical advisory, market design, and the development of advanced software tools.
Hugh Bannister founded IES in Australia in 1983, and played a pivotal role in designing a structured approach to demand-side management that laid the foundation for our focus on market efficiency and system optimisation. In 1985, IES, in collaboration with CSIRO, developed one of Australia’s first cogeneration optimisation algorithms, demonstrating the power of large-scale optimisation on emerging PC platforms.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, IES worked on energy pricing reforms, demand-side management, and projects, including the development of Apollo, a financial modelling system for leveraged leasing used by major banks and investors for large capital projects.
From the early 1990s, IES became heavily involved in electricity market reform in Australia. We played a key role in the design of the restructured Victorian electricity market and contributed to the broader National Electricity Market (NEM) design. This included chairing the Pool Price Working Group, advising on forward price structures for vesting contracts, supporting integration with inter-state systems, and contributing to ancillary services market design.
Internationally, IES expanded its presence from 2000, initially through work with AusAID on energy policy modelling and capacity building across ASEAN countries. This evolved into a broader international portfolio including market design, system planning, renewable energy strategy, and interconnection studies in Southeast Asia, Central and south Asia, and the MENA region. Key partnerships are held with United Nations, Work Bank, Asian Development Bank where our advisory consultants provide expert advice on energy market projects.
Built with insight.
Backed by experience
Today, IES operates across two main divisions:
Advisory Services
Our Advisory Services deliver high-level consulting in energy economics, market modelling, policy analysis, and system optimisation for energy stewardship and development. With clients that include regulators, market operators, multilateral agencies, utilities, and private investors, our expertise spans wholesale electricity markets, power system planning, renewable integration, tariff design, and investment analysis.
Software Solutions
Our Software continues to develop and license leading energy tools. Our NEO suite of products is favoured by regulators, generators, retailers, policy makers and financial institutions to provide fast and accurate insights into the Australian energy markets, as well as other key regions, such as the Philippines.
Clients rely on the NEO suite of products to make better decisions about the energy markets, creating clarity and confidence from complex data and modelling.
Our Impact
At Intelligent Energy Systems (IES), we are proud to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable global energy future. Through our software and advisory work, we directly support the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Goal 13: Climate Action.
Beyond our core business, we are committed to social impact by supporting a range of charitable organisations focused on education, humanitarian aid, and environmental protection. Charities we have supported in 2025 include: Climate Asia, Climate Council, Total Environment Centre, Code Club Australia, HiGHS Linear Optimisation Software Organisation, SpecialistInterne Neurodiverse Recruitment, STEM Returners Australia. These efforts reflect our belief that a responsible business not only drives innovation but also contributes meaningfully to the well-being of society and the planet.
We partner with our clients to help shape the future of energy systems. Take the first step today.
Take the first step
IES is a global company with headquarters in Sydney Australia. With an international team of deep expertise, backed by our proprietary database covering energy markets in the Asia-Pacific region, we are deeply committed to bringing confidence and clarity to the growing complexity of energy.
We partner with our clients to help shape the future of energy systems. Take the first step today.
News
