September 22, 2021

Energy Stocktake showcases UOW’s energy expertise

Virtual seminar brings industry, government, university experts together to address energy transformation

Energy experts and leaders from industry, government and research will come together on Wednesday 22 September for Energy Stocktake @ UOW, an online seminar to showcase the University of Wollongong’s energy expertise and explore opportunities for energy-related research aligned to the needs of industry and the community.

Australia’s energy landscape is experiencing an unprecedented and rapid transformation shaped by multiple technologies and demands, including the need to integrate a number of alternative energy sources and develop a cleaner, fairer, and more reliable energy market structure.

New South Wales Minister for Energy and the Environment, the Hon Matt Kean MP, will give a pre-recorded address to the seminar.

Energy Stocktake will have two main areas of focus: discussing UOW’s research strengths to deliver a sustainable energy future for consumers; and highlighting the University’s capabilities in regards to green hydrogen energy.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Patricia M. Davidson said UOW had a long and successful track record in energy-related research, including human behavioural expertise as well as technological know-how, economic analysis and infrastructure modelling.

“We recently established the Energy Futures Network to bring together a University-wide network of energy researchers to develop a coherent, outwardly focused capability and strategy for energy research,” Professor Davidson said.

“The social transformation aspects of energy transformation are as important as the technology. Making sure that energy consumers have a real voice in the transition to a clean energy future is essential. UOW’s Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space brings sociocultural expertise and a distinctive understanding of energy practices to research and consulting projects.”

Energy Futures Network Director Mr Ty Christopher said UOW was expanding its engagement with industry, government and regulators in energy domains including electricity, gas and hydrogen.

“Our energy system is undergoing enormous and irreversible transformation driven by customer choice, new technology and changing economic and community imperatives,” Mr Christopher said

“Current stakeholders – developers, businesses and industries, equipment suppliers, transport operators, utilities, energy infrastructure owners and operators and customers – are only able to deal piecemeal with the small part of the whole picture that they are in control of. This cannot produce optimal overall transition strategies for Australia.

“The University of Wollongong is uniquely able to be an independent and objective voice, applying a multidisciplinary team to understand the complex interactions between social, economic and technical issues and create a road map from the current state to an energy future which supports employment and positive community outcomes.”

UOW’s energy-related research includes renewable energy systems and integration, power systems, sustainability (including building design), power quality and reliability, battery energy storage and management systems, distributed energy generation, microgrids, infrastructure modelling and economics, and research and development leading to a more hydrogen-intensive economy.

Panel speakers for the discussion on UOW energy research strengths are:

• Katherine McConnell, founder and CEO of fintech and energy startup Brighte, with a mission to make every home sustainable. Since launching in 2016, Brighte has processed over $1 billion in finance applications for more than 100,000 Australian households, partnered with 2,000 vendors and installed around 500MW of residential solar capacity;
• Senior Professor Pauline McGuirk, Director of the Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space;
• Senior Professor Gursel Alici, Executive Dean of UOW’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, who has 30 years’ experience in leading edge engineering research;
• Dr Paul Di Pietro, Dean of Research Knowledge Exchange and Translation, who plays a key role in driving the UOW’s engagement with industry.

Panel members for the discussion on UOW’s hydrogen capability in pipelines and transport, Illawarra hydrogen and decarbonisation are:

• Kylie Hargreaves, Chair of the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity, an independent, not-for-profit coalition of research, business and government leaders focused on finding pathways to double Australia’s energy productivity;
• Ty Christopher, Director of Energy Futures Network, UOW;
• Klaas van Alphen, Research and Innovation Manager, Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre, with a strong focus on hydrogen technologies across the whole supply chain.

Energy Stocktake @ UOW

Energy Stocktake will take place from 4-5pm AEST on Wednesday, 22 September 2021. To register to attend, go to: https://uow-au.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lc5qMc5hTJyXxuLJukrIXQ