About Us
A South Australian consultancy helping
businesses and organisations with their
energy and sustainability management.
We’re here to drive meaningful climate action by helping organisations use less energy and adopt sustainable practices.
Commercial energy use is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, with new technologies and strategies, reducing energy use has become economically beneficial for most businesses.
This is why we are passionate about energy efficiency – we can help our local economies and environments at the same time.
The work we do is being carried out all across the world by consultants like us.
We can limit the effects of climate change if we all try, even just a bit.
The science is in. The path forward is clear. We’re not ones to sit back and watch.
Our mission
To help clients fully understand and communicate their energy systems, emissions, needs, and goals so we can deliver practical, cost-effective solutions and ongoing support.
Our vision
We are working towards a future where man-made carbon emissions are no longer responsible for a warming climate.
Our values
Driven by sustainability
We want to help you reach Net Zero.
But if we can’t do that, let’s at least find some ways to lower your energy costs and emissions.
Independent
We’re technology agnostic.
We don’t get commissions from any of the services or products that we recommend.
We just want to find the best solution for you. It’s not always the greenest, but we’d like it to be.
Practical
Managers and owners don’t have the luxury of undertaking costly and time-consuming sustainability actions, so we find solutions and efficiencies that you can implement quickly, at realistic prices, and within your business’ capacity. Also, we don’t use jargon if we don’t have to.
Holistic
Nothing occurs in isolation.
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy.
Your energy and technology puzzle is unique.
We look at the big picture. Explore the alternatives. Think through the options.
Like Dirk Gently, but more practical.
Actually care
That’s why we do this.
We’re sustainability nerds.
We act, live and do sustainability in all aspects.
We’re up on the latest news, technologies, and strategies.
Small team. Big impact.
We’re a tight team of energy and sustainability experts.
Collectively, we have an extensive list of skills and experiences as well as shared passion for keeping up with the latest industry news, trends, and innovations.
In the office, we thrive on a vibrant culture of collaboration which leads to creative, effective, and practical solutions for our clients.
As you’ll read below in our values, we actually care about this stuff. Not just in helping businesses become more sustainable, but in helping to thrive for the long run.
Yes, we deliver individual services and projects, however our true desire is to help you achieve long-term results. We want to help you manage your energy and sustainability data so you can see how our strategies reduce your energy costs and carbon emissions.
Home court advantage
Proudly serving South Australia
You might have noticed that most energy and sustainability consultancies out there are large national, sometimes multi-national organisations. Not us.
We’re a local business working with local businesses.
We know the local energy providers.
The tech suppliers you can trust.
The regional climate. Political, Mediterranean and Arid.
We’ve been working in the South Australian energy and sustainability industry for over 15 years. We have a large network of trusted partners to assist when needed, allowing us to punch above our weight to deliver big projects.
Meet our team
We’re passionate about self-improvement and living sustainably – both in our personal and professional lives.
We undertake regular professional development to keep ourselves abreast of the most current information and technologies and readily share this information within our networks and with our clients.
We can regularly be seen volunteering with groups such as Transition Gawler, Gawler Environment Centre, Conservation Volunteers, Uniting Care Wesley and Sustainable Communities SA.
Rachel has provided energy and carbon solutions for over 15 years, specialising in identifying opportunities and creating sustainable change in businesses and organisations.
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Her Master of Sustainability degree provides a broad understanding of many sustainability based issues, while her certification as a Climate Active registered consultant allows her to support businesses to carbon neutrality.
As a Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP), Rachel collects and analyses data to assist clients to make informed decisions relating to best practice equipment upgrades and purchases.
As a qualified trainer and Living Smart facilitator, Rachel also provides interesting and engaging presentations to management and staff.
Tom is a CEC-accredited Solar PV designer and off-grid installer with a background in engineering and technical design.
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As passionate as he is about renewable energy, he knows that reducing your energy use is wiser than just making your own.
Developing smarter ways to conduct business, saving energy and increasing productivity, is Tom’s specialty.
Tom’s background in technical production means that he not only identifies solutions, but follows through with design, procurement, and implementation assistance. His management and organisational oversight ensures a consistent, excellent result for all clients.
Philippa is an experienced science researcher and communicator, holding a PhD as well as a Bachelor of Science (Hons).
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She provides a wealth of knowledge and expertise in developing data-based models for analysis of emissions sources and emissions reduction opportunities.
Philippa’s passion for sustainability ensures that the actions she recommends are practical, cost effective and aimed at achieving the maximum benefit for both the organisation and the environment.
Rachel is a versatile consultant with a special interest in developing and implementing meaningful policy and strategy changes.
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Currently completing a Master in Environmental Management & Sustainability to complement her Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Rachel’s interdisciplinary qualifications equip her with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of environmental consulting while leveraging her understanding of human behaviour to drive meaningful change.
Mariana is a data science practitioner using data-driven strategies to improve how businesses approach energy and carbon management.
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With exposure to large datasets from prior experience in the banking industry, Mariana’s passion has led to a Masters degree in Data Science at Adelaide University and she is excited to combine data science and energy management to transform the world.
Peter is a civil and environment engineer, who also holds an electrical license. Peter has worked in the environmental sector since 2008,
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when he managed Business SA’s SA Challenge 100 project, assisting South Australian firms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the development of energy efficiency and waste reduction strategies. Peter has since honed his skills in energy efficiency, waste minimisation and water conservation, through work with Johnson Controls, Tandem Energy and his own consultancy. Peter has worked with clients such as 101 Collins St (Melbourne), Adelaide City Council, LaTrobe University, Mitsubishi Motors and Veolia to reduce energy and resource consumption, identifying operational savings and systems improvements through methodical analysis of opportunities.
Accreditations & Certifications
Collectively, our team holds the following qualifications
- Bachelor of Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering
- Diploma of Engineering
- Master of Sustainability
- CEC-accredited designer for both grid-connect and stand-alone solar PV systems
- Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP)
- Permaculture Design Certificate
- Certificate IV Home Sustainability Assessment
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
- Certificate IV Business Sustainability Assessment
- Certificate IV in Home Sustainability Assessment
- Living Smart Sustainability Course Facilitation
- Registered Consultant under the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standards
Tandem Energy team members are registered consultants under the Climate Active Standards.
While we are trained to help businesses in this process, we have also gone through it ourselves, having our business Climate Active certified in 2021.
We can support you in the initial certification of your Organisation, Product, Service, Precinct or Event, as well as the annual requirements to report on your emissions, planned reduction strategies and purchased offsets.
We understand the process from both a consultant standpoint and as a business aiming to reduce our emissions.
To find out more about Climate Active and how Tandem Energy can help, click here.
The B Corp™ Movement is a global movement of People Using Business as a Force for Good®.
Together, we are shifting our economic system from profiting only the few to benefitting all, from concentrating wealth and power to ensuring equity, from extraction to regeneration, and from prioritising individualism to embracing interdependence.
Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab™ to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
When you use our services, you can be sure that our business is helping to create an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet.
Why use a consultancy?
And what do we mean by holistic?
Energy systems don’t operate in isolation. There are factors up and down the chain that can have surprising effects on efficiencies.
You might think you need a new aircon unit. But would your money be better spent insulating your premises, or installing a shade structure to minimise heat from the afternoon sun?
Maybe you’re considering a new solar system, but can you trust what the solar sales teams are telling you? What are your actual power needs, and what time of day do you need it most?
That’s what we mean by holistic. We look at your business needs and the many factors that can influence your energy, and find a solution that works for your unique situation.
Explore more of our services
From our blog
Tandem retrospective – 2024
2024 has been a busy year for Tandem Energy. We are proud to announce that we are recertifying for B Corp membership. We are already a B Corp member and there are a surprising number of organisations who reach out to us for help because they see that we are a
Here’s what we did in 2023
2023 was packed with impactful projects at Tandem Energy! From energy audits to emissions reduction plans, we partnered with councils, businesses, and communities to drive sustainability.
Tandem in the news
Tandem Energy’s CEO Rachel Brdanovic shares insights on the Australian energy market, community batteries, and renewable solutions. Explore her expert commentary featured in ABC’s articles and interviews.
One year living with an electric vehicle – Tandem’s director Tom shares his thoughts
One year with an electric vehicle: Tandem Energy’s Tom shares insights on costs, charging, energy consumption, and the pros and cons of driving a Nissan Leaf. Is an EV right for you?
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