WA seminar looks at energy options

WA's future energy options will be under the spotlight at the Energy Options for Western Australia seminar at the Curtin University of Technology Council Chamber on 5 October from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The purpose of the seminar is to debate energy options, energy mix scenarios and choice of new energy technologies for WA's sustainable economic growth over a 10-50 years horizon.

It will examine global drivers, impact of climate change, rising Asian economies, influence of new technologies, regional social/community development, public awareness of energy security and environmental sustainability.

Organised by the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) WA Division, the seminar aims to produce a vision of an optimum energy mix for WA over the next 50 years. This will include the R&D, education and training requirements to support this vision as well as a roadmap to the future paradigm.

The outcome of the seminar is expected to be an articulated vision of an optimum energy mix for WA over the next 50 years¬ and the R&D and education and training requirements to realise this vision.

The seminar will be facilitated by Dr Bruce Hobbs, a Research Fellow in the Division of Exploration and Mining in CSIRO, former chief scientist of WA and executive director of the WA Office of Sciences and Innovation and, prior to that, deputy chief executive at CSIRO.

The seminar will involve a series of presentations by prominent scientists and technologists, including: oil and gas ¬overview, outlook and new technologies; coal clean coal technology and carbon capture; renewable energy; nuclear power/nuclear waste issues; social dimensions.

29/09/2006