Horizons by RAC Podcast

As grid electricity prices continue to rise and governments look to accelerate home battery adoption through subsidies and incentives, many households are asking the same question: does investing in solar and battery storage really pay off?
On this episode of the Horizons by RAC podcast, Jason and Bronson unpack how modern solar and battery systems work, what’s changed in recent years, and the key factors to consider before making the switch.

Guests: Jason Skodt and Bronson Davies - Directors of Unplugged Energy and Perth Solar Force

RAC has partnered with Unplugged Energy to help deliver savings to its members, learn more here: https://rac.com.au/membership-benefits/discounts-and-special-offers/member-benefit-unplugged-energy

Chapters: 
00:00 Introduction to Home Energy Storage 
00:58 Understanding Home Battery Systems 
02:52 Financial Benefits and Government Rebates 
05:35 Market Trends and Future Prospects 
09:12 Technical Considerations for Homeowners 
17:53 Virtual Power Plants and Grid Stability 
29:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Subscribe and share:
If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.

Find us online:
Website: https://rac.com.au/horizons 
YouTube:    www.youtube.com/@horizonsrac  
Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa    
Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa   
  
Legal disclaimer: 
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC. RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

Hikers Robyn and Patrick share a firsthand account of a multi-day hike along the Stirling Range ridge that took an unexpected turn. One small misstep led to an injury that saw Robyn onboard RAC Rescue, they join us to share their story.

The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Guests: Robyn Boulet and Patrick Carter – hikers from Perth, Western Australia
00:00 Introduction
01:12 Training and Preparation for the "Half Ridge" Hike
05:53 The Weight of a Hiker's Pack: What to Carry
07:35 The "Snap": Robyn Describes Her Horrific Ankle Injury
10:07 Emergency First Aid and Stabilising the Injury
15:57 The Mental Game: Using Box Breathing to Stay Calm
20:25 The Rescue: The Crew Arrive
39:56 Lessons Learned: Why You Should Never Underestimate the Ridge

Subscribe and share:
If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family. Find us online: Website: https://rac.com.au/horizons
YouTube:    www.youtube.com/@horizonsrac  
Instagram:   www.instagram.com/racwa  
Facebook:   www.facebook.com/racwa  

Legal disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

As Western Australia transitions toward cleaner transport, EVs continue to dominate the conversation. But according to Hyundai’s Senior Manager of Future Mobility, Scott Nargar, the road ahead won’t be powered by a single technology. Hydrogen is likely to play a crucial complementary role, particularly in a country as vast and freight-reliant as ours.

Guest:
Scott Nargar, Hyundai Motor Company Australia - Senior Manager of Future Mobility and Government Relations
00:00 Introduction to Hydrogen Vehicles
00:39 Hydrogen's Potential in Australia's Transport
01:52 Understanding Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
05:31 Current Market and Infrastructure Challenges
08:49 Hydrogen vs. Electric Vehicles: A Comparative Analysis
16:23 Safety and Public Perception of Hydrogen Vehicles
18:36 Hydrogen's Role in WA and Future Prospects
25:10 Collaborative Efforts and Infrastructure Development
30:18 Redundancy in Hydrogen Infrastructure
33:11 Modular and Scalable Hydrogen Stations
36:14 Hyundai NEXO: The Flagship Hydrogen Vehicle
38:56 Hydrogen Vehicles in Government and Industry
44:50 Hydrogen Society and Future Prospects
48:35 Government Support and Policy for Hydrogen
51:08 Future of Hydrogen and EVs in Australia
56:04 Conclusion and Industry Evolution
Subscribe and share:
If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.

Find us online: 
Website: https://rac.com.au/horizons   
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racwa/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racwa/ 

Legal disclaimer:
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

Western Australia is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors, our diverse beauty, rugged landscape and isolated coastlines are unmatched. But it’s also most unforgiving.
 
The heat can cripple you within hours, help can be hundreds of kilometres away and poor preparation is the number one cause of preventable emergencies. 
 
So, what should you do if you find yourself stranded or lost? 
 
To help answer these questions, on this episode of the Horizons by RAC podcast we’re joined by Terry Hewett, former Special Forces Soldier, Order of Australia medal recipient, and founder of Adventure Out Australia.
00:00 Introduction to Western Australia's Wilderness
00:37 Meet Terry Hewett: Survival Expert
01:01 The Allure of Remote Places
04:04 Lessons from the Elders
06:44 From Military to Survival Instructor
08:52 Understanding Bushcraft vs. Survival
14:50 The Importance of Preparation
18:24 Water and Survival in Harsh Environments
26:28 Fire: A Key Survival Skill
29:00 Visibility and Rescue Techniques
33:44 Lessons from the Military
34:21 Planning Your First Off-Road Trip
37:20 Common Mistakes in Off-Roading
46:24 The Importance of Staying with Your Vehicle
50:11 Hiking in Remote Areas
01:02:23 The Appeal of Bushcraft and Survival Skills
01:07:14 Final Thoughts and Advice
Subscribe and share 
If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.    

Find us online:
Website: ⁠https://rac.com.au/horizons⁠  
YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC⁠ 
Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/racwa/⁠ 
Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/racwa/⁠ 

Legal disclaimer:
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.

Driver fatigue is a term often associated with those spending long hours behind the wheel, such as drivers in the freight industry and those undertaking long road trips, whether for leisure or work.

But driving a vehicle while impacted by sleep loss is a much wider issue in the community, including over short distances.

The Sleep Health Foundation estimates that more than half of Australian adults are suffering from at least one chronic sleep symptom. And almost half (48%) of all Australian adults report at least two sleep-related problems according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

It follows that the number of drivers on our roads who are operating a vehicle while affected by sleep loss must also be high.

To talk through the impacts of poor-quality and inadequate sleep on those operating a vehicle, we spoke with Dr Nicholas Mabbott, Director of Beyond Midnight Consulting with over 25 years’ experience in sleep and fatigue management.

00:00 Understanding Driver Fatigue 
00:51 The Importance of Quality Sleep 
01:02 The Science Behind Sleep Cycles 
01:52 The Impact of Poor Sleep on Health 
02:44 Strategies for Better Sleep 
05:57 The Role of Melatonin and Body Clock 
14:15 Driving and Sleep Deprivation 
27:35 The Impact of Passengers on Driver Fatigue 
29:01 Holiday Driving Risks and Tips 
30:07 Planning for Safe Long Drives 
36:56 The Role of Technology in Fatigue Management 
40:49 The Importance of Sleep Hygiene 
51:44 Managing Fatigue During the Holidays 
53:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Guest 
Dr Nicholas Mabbott, Director of Beyond Midnight Consulting 
www.youtube.com/@drnicholasmabbott7549

Subscribe and share  
If you liked this episode, subscribe to RAC’s Horizons podcast and share it with your friends and family.   
  
Find us online
Website: https://rac.com.au/horizons   
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HorizonsRAC  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racwa/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/racwa/  
  
Legal disclaimer  
The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees.  This podcast is for general information and entertainment purposes only.  Listeners should not rely on the content as a substitute for independent advice.  References to a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.  RAC accepts no liability for any reliance placed on the content.