Recent events in South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria have shown that dramatic changes are needed if we are going to have a secure, reliable, cheap and sustainable power supply.
Intermittent renewables like wind and solar are becoming cheaper than conventional power sources like coal. But there is still the major challenge of energy storage.
New technology batteries may be one solution. What about pumped hydropower? Are there other solutions combining electricity, heating and cooling supply? Is it time to move away from the big power suppliers – will households soon go off-grid and save money?
The next public forum hosted by the Newcastle Institute will feature two leading researchers dealing with different aspects of the electricity supply challenge.
Assoc. Professor Steven Weller is from the University’s School of Electrical Engineering, where he teaches on sustainable energy. He will discuss the current problems with Australia’s National Electricity Market, and look at the technological and commercial realities of renewable technology. Could Tasmania become the ‘Battery of Australia’? He will look at the numbers.
He will be joined by Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, from the Newcastle Institute of Energy Research. The Professor leads a team of researchers that have developed ‘world-first’ power storage and management technologies. In two years they aim to have a fridge-sized power plant that could provide a stable and secure power supply to a household. It is an example of the promise of the high-end science and engineering being performed right here in Newcastle.
This interactive evening is a chance to move beyond the dysfunctional and politicised climate change debate, and to learn about the technological developments that promise to solve the energy supply crisis altogether.
Open to the Public – All welcome
What? Public Forum:- Solutions to the Electricity Supply Crisis
When? 6.00 – 7.30pm, Wednesday 10th May 2017
Where? Souths Leagues Club, Merewether
Who? Open to the general public. Admission $5 donation