22nd Energy in Western Australia Conference

Imagine a future life where your smartphone, watch, airpods and your electric car were automatically charged without you even knowing. What would it be like to give up control to an external system which optimises your energy use, decides when a robotic vacuum cleans your home and even when your electricity is available. Or are these even realistic or desirable futures?

This film explores how people living in Australia see their future lives in a country where increasingly extreme weather, concerns about public health, growing levels of technological automation, and a society dependent on digital media are set to create uncertainty about demand for electricity in the future. The filmmakers follow the everyday lives of five households to ask how they are inventing their own ways to live with emerging technologies, imagining and planning for their own futures in ways that might complicate the ambitions of industry and policy makers.

Energy humanities is a field of research with highly relevant and timely practical applications. Scholars and practitioners investigate how to make energy transitions just and inclusive, for all people and living beings, everywhere. Critical contributions from the social sciences, humanities, and the arts help us understand who benefits and who experiences harm from decarbonising our societies, whose values and visions count and whose are sidelined, how disagreements are negotiated, and how fairer worlds can be imagined and joint visions pursued.

In this webinar, Professor Petra Tschakert will draw attention to what often remains out of sight in discussions around just energy transitions, namely inequities, structural disadvantage, and uneven positions of power when embarking on energy futures, and the human and non-human winners and losers they entail. These are essential questions we need to engage with in order to approach the needed ethical, lifestyle, organisational, and policy choices we make, now, at this critical junction on the path to renewables and net zero emissions.

The concept of a “social licence to operate” (SLO) has dominated the public discussion around a just energy transition, leaving companies to grapple with the idea of securing approval from their host communities and others outside their organisations. This presentation will discuss the limitations of the social licence to operate approach and advocate for a deliberate move away from social licence to operate, to the more robust and holistic approach known as social performance. Social performance supports more sustainable developments through understanding local context, comprehensively assessing risks and opportunities, supporting meaningful engagement and working with communities to secure mutual benefits. A social performance approach starts from the earliest planning phases of a project and persists all the way through to decommissioning and closure. It is a continuous process with regular opportunities for review and improvement. Proponents who commit to social performance are focused on transparency and better outcomes for their projects and communities. The scale and pace of the energy transition presents a clear opportunity to apply the key principles of social performance. The presentation will provide an overview of how this can be done and include some case studies for discussion.

30 minute webinar followed by 15 minute Q&A.

Come check out the ground-breaking energy innovations and meet the researchers behind the science as we tour the energy labs at the Australian Resource Research Centre.

The tour will include three laboratories:‍

Geomechanical laboratory: a world class research facility that undertakes Geomechanical testing of core samples for science in the Energy sector.

Monitoring with fibres: a laboratory developing technologies to monitor and verify that the CO2 is permanently stored in the subsurface. These technologies rely on sensing instrumentation deployed on the field either at the surface or underground.

CCS research virtual reality: CSIRO’s WA-based energy team is at the forefront of researching methods for direct air capture carbon capture, carbon use technology, storage and monitoring. Go behind the scenes and meet the scientists working to discover how these technologies can contribute to a low carbon future.

Don’t miss out. The tour is limited to 40 people.

Imagine a future life where your smartphone, watch, airpods and your electric car were automatically charged without you even knowing. What would it be like to give up control to an external system which optimises your energy use, decides when a robotic vacuum cleans your home and even when your electricity is available. Or are these even realistic or desirable futures?

This film explores how people living in Australia see their future lives in a country where increasingly extreme weather, concerns about public health, growing levels of technological automation, and a society dependent on digital media are set to create uncertainty about demand for electricity in the future. The filmmakers follow the everyday lives of five households to ask how they are inventing their own ways to live with emerging technologies, imagining and planning for their own futures in ways that might complicate the ambitions of industry and policy makers.

What will our future lives look like with energy and emerging technologies? How do households and consumers see their own futures unfolding? How do experts and scientists imagine and envision energy visions? And what do we need to know now, to plan for and anticipate possible energy futures?

In this webinar panel presentation, the Monash Digital Energy Futures research team will present their ‘Scenarios for Future Living’, based on four years of research with Australian households. The four scenarios (Creature Comforts, Sharing the Load, Hunkering Down, and Sunrises and Siestas), set in the years 2030 and 2050, provide plausible and speculative visions of everyday life likely to impact on energy demand and forecasting.

The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with Western Australian energy sector experts and leaders as they discuss findings from the Digital Energy Futures research project and implications the scenarios present for WA energy consumers and the energy sector.

The clean energy transition is humanity’s biggest ever economic challenge. In his book Powering Up, former Australian chief scientist Alan Finkel shares his insights for leading the way in the global transition to clean energy.

As we rapidly advance towards key climate threshold tipping points, Fortescue, a proud West Australian company, is spearheading the push to Real Zero - no fossil fuels and where possible, no offsets. Michael Gunner will discuss this ambitious remit - from investments in the technologies to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors to building a strong global portfolio of renewable energy projects – and the opportunities this presents.

‍

Western Australia is likely better placed than any other region on Earth to benefit from the transition to net zero emissions.  It needs, however, to raise its sights to take advantage of the huge opportunities to contribute to lowering emissions globally through mining and mineral processing in particular.  The key is for Australia and Western Australia to integrate climate policy into the wider economic narrative. Discussion of the economy must always give a central role to zero carbon issues, and discussion of climate issues must focus on the complete range of economic levers that need to be pulled and the benefits that will flow.  Major policy reforms underway globally, such as the US Inflation Reduction Act and the European Green Deal, make this all the more important.

‍

‍

In an ever-changing environment, Western Australia’s history of innovation places it at the forefront to be part of accelerating the energy transition. There is a role for the private sector to work collaboratively across all sectors to support reduction in emissions via deployment of multiple technologies and creation of new industries.

Mr. Takahashi will share information on the latest hydrogen strategy of Japan including Kishida Administration’s Green Transformation (GX) policy and upcoming revised Basic Hydrogen Strategy. He will also explain JBIC’s approach to promote the government strategy including seamless financing supports from upstream to downstream utilizing various financial tools for a global value chain development as well as JBIC’s mid-term business plan, new finance facility and establishment of dedicated team.

‍

Martin Wilkes will discuss the achievements made in reducing energy poverty around the world and look at how reducing emissions may impact our ability to continue to provide the sustained and increasing demands of energy supply.

As we transition away from carbon intensive energy production to low and zero emissions technologies, what are the issues that have already been discovered, and can we mitigate these whilst still reducing emissions? The presentation will provide examples of progress made, known issues, and open discussion for debate around mitigation options and future choices.

‍

The energy transformation involves greater decentralisation of energy generation and changing patterns of energy consumption. From virtual power plants, new battery technologies, to vehicle to grid solutions, our panellists will discuss how these technologies can help transform our power system, reduce energy costs and lower emissions from the energy sector.

Jai Thomas will discuss the State’s Energy Transformation Strategy and the pathway to a highly renewable future, which requires balancing reliability, affordability and the State’s emission reduction ambitions. From remote areas to the middle of our cities, Jai will take you through the energy transformation requirements across our large state and its varied supply arrangements as we continue to work toward net zero by 2050.

Dave Fyfe will discuss the energy transformation, investment and journey to decarbonisation.  The SWIS will support a greater mix of generation types, taking advantage of battery flexibility to support more renewables in the community.  Synergy will need to transform its business to deliver on the program of work and continue its support of communities as they transition to renewable energy.

‍

The energy transformation is progressing at pace, as we strive to achieve our emissions targets while making the most of technological advancements.  Consumers are at the core of all energy services, but how well are we considering their expectations during the transition?  Many programs are seeking for consumers to play a role in providing services to help us decarbonise and manage power system security and reliability, but does this allow consumers to participate equitably?  Chris Alexander will discuss the need for a consumer centric energy transition pathway in the context of a diverse customer base and ambitious industry goals.

As Western Australia rapidly transitions to renewable energy, large areas of First Nations land will be required to support the shift. This creates opportunities for new First Nations economic development and for jobs, businesses and the economy. Many First Nations communities also experience significant energy insecurity and are on the forefront of climate change. The First Nations Clean Energy Network was launched to bring together communities, industry and government to help get the settings right and to ensure First Nations participate in and benefit from the renewable energy transition. A year after the announcement of the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy - a commitment by all Australian Energy Ministers under the Commonwealth's National Energy Transformation Partnership - this presentation will consider emerging trends and discuss opportunities for industry and governments to build First Nations' partnerships in renewable energy transition.

‍

Electricity supply is a key for all modern economies, supporting a range of critical services including health care, the internet and transportation. The secure supply of electricity is therefore of paramount importance.  

Digitalisation is helping transform the electricity system bringing many benefits for businesses and consumers but, at the same time, increased connectivity and automation which could raise risks to cybersecurity and the threat of cyberattacks.  

Cecily Rawlinson will share key insights on the threats and opportunities cyber security presents in the Australian energy sector.

‍

Join us for a memorable evening as we wine, dine and celebrate the people behind Western Australia’s energy sector. Brought to you by the Australian Institute of Energy Perth and the City of Perth, this is our seventh celebration of excellence.

The AIE Energy in WA Awards Dinner is included in the 2-day conference ticket. Alternatively, if you are not attending the conference, you can purchase tickets to the AIE Energy in WA Awards Dinner. Ticket sales will be opening shortly. Sign up to our newsletter (via the Register your interest button below) and follow us on LinkedIn to get notified when tickets go on sale.

Venue Details

Venue: Fraser’s Restaurant, Kings Park
Address: 60 Fraser Ave, West Perth, WA 6005
Date: Thursday 24 August 2023
Pre-drinks: 6pm and Dinner: 7pm

2023 Categories

Energy Professional of the Year
Advancing Women in Energy
Young Energy Professional of the Year (35 and under)
Energy Innovation of the Year
Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Energy

Nominations for the 2023 Awards close on 17 July 2023. For enquiries, please contact Benjamin Meakins at registrationswa@aie.org.au.

This breakfast panel will explore the decarbonization activities of large-scale electricity consumers, with a particular focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets and their commitment to the Social License to Operate (SLO). The importance of ESG and SLO has become increasingly prominent in the operations of large electricity consumers. These organizations strive to reduce carbon emissions, invest in renewable energy projects and other technologies, and align their energy consumption with environmental stewardship. Our event will delve into the efforts and achievements of key industry players supporting large-scale decarbonization efforts.

Tickets can be purchased for $45 as part of your conference ticket or separately for those not attending the conference or purchasing member tickets ($30).

The clean energy transition is humanity’s biggest ever economic challenge. Join former Australian chief scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, as he discusses his new book, Powering Up, which shows how to remove the barriers that prevent nations transforming from petrostate to electrostate.  Dr Finkel considers the entire supply chain, from raw materials through power infrastructure, the workforce, transportation and household customers. He reveals the outlines of a new geo-economic order and explains in persuasive, practical terms how we can get there.  If governments, investors, industry and consumers get this right over the next three decades, history will judge us as the generation who ushered in the Electric Age and helped to save the planet. The world will be transformed – with Australia, if we seize the opportunity, as a global leader.

‍

The critical step to a zero emissions economy is said to be electrification. However, with consumers starting to feel the cost of decarbonisation and the huge uncertainty we face in energy system and market developments, it is essential that wide-scale investment in grid infrastructure is carried out considering the optionality value and risk reduction that new planning methodologies could unlock. Professor Mancarella will present new planning methodologies that, by both introducing investment flexibility and deploying the operational flexibility available in new technologies such as storage, could enable reduction in both expected cost and risk

‍

The IEA has long watched energy developments compiling energy statistics from around the globe, conducting research and energy modelling analysis for the evolution of the global energy system. Mary Burce Warlick will discuss the status of international trade in fuels and energy, ongoing efforts to accelerate the energy sector decarbonisation towards the 1.5C goal, and the associated key challenges.

In late 2021, the local Esperance community were faced with a significant challenge.  Its local gas distribution and retailer was exiting the market. With no viable prospects for a replacement provider, Horizon Power and the WA Government swung into action. What resulted was the electrification of a regional community in 14 months, and during a world-wide pandemic!  Esperance may have been the first, but it won’t be the last community to make this transition. Horizon Power’s Stephanie Unwin will share the successes and lessons learnt from this exciting project.

Energy-sector businesses and government-owned entities are increasingly required to make significant long-term decisions in the context of multiple future scenarios. The panel will discuss how their organisations are grappling with this challenge, while minimising risks and managing costs.

As the SWIS prepares to go-live with co-optimised energy and essential system service markets in October this year, Bobby Ditric will draw from the experience of other such markets in the region to provide operational and commercial insights.

The Kwinana Renewable Fuels project at bp Kwinana energy hub is the first of five biofuel projects that bp has planned globally. It forms part of a multi-billion dollar investment by bp to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, also known as renewable diesel). These biofuels support the decarbonisation of aviation and hard to abate sectors like heavy industry. First production is planned in 2026. The project will also integrate with bp’s existing import terminal operations at the energy hub and the H2Kwinana green hydrogen project, which is currently being assessed in a feasibility study.

‍

From improved health and comfort, lower energy bills, and less existential dread about individual impact on the climate, energy efficiency can be a panacea for improving household wellbeing. But how can we ensure that government, industry and civil society are working collaboratively to drive energy efficiency gains across both new and existing homes? Join us to find out.

‍

Western Australia is fortunate to have some of the best onshore and offshore wind resources in the world, much of which remains undeveloped.  With the industry rapidly evolving and demand for new renewables continuing to grow developers, contractors and investors need to keep pace.

Our panellists will discuss the challenges and opportunities for wind development in WA, including accommodating bigger and bigger turbines, evolving construction techniques, onshore and offshore construction, land access and 3rd party permitting and approvals.