Energy Security: The Real Story
Where does our energy come from? What are the implications of using fossil fuels, nuclear power and renewable energy? And what does all of this mean for energy policy and climate change?
In 2008 the Whitlam Institute and the College of Health and Science within the University of Western Sydney brought together leading Australian and international scientists to share their best scientific knowledge about energy security now and into the future at a series of forums at Riverside Theatres in Parramatta.
The Energy Security Series is an excellent resource for academics, teachers, students, journalists and other interested people. The material from the series is already being used widely within the University of Western Sydney.
All presentations are available to view on the Whitlam Institute YouTube Channel.
The Whitlam Institute is grateful to Riverside Theatres for its support of this series.
SESSION 1: SETTING THE SCENE
The opening session of the Energy Security public forum series sets the scene on Australia's energy generation, storage and consumption.
View Session 1 on the Whitlam Institute YouTube Channel.
Speakers:
- Dr Hugh Saddler, Managing Director, Energy Strategies Pty Limited DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Professor John Bartlett, Head of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Western Sydney DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Mr Martin H Thomas AM, Chairman of Dulhunty Power Limited DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
SESSION 2: FOSSIL FUELS
This session looks at the role of fossil fuels in supplying energy and includes sources, consumption, patterns of usage and new technologies.
View Session 2 on the Whitlam Institute YouTube Channel.
Speakers:
- Dr Beverley Ronalds, Group Executive, Energy and Chief, CSIRO Petroleum DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Dr Allen Lowe DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Mr Ian T Dunlop, Governance and Sustainability Advisor, Deputy Convenor, Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
SESSION 3: NUCLEAR POWER
This session examines the science behind the nuclear energy debate.
View Session 3 on the Whitlam Institute YouTube Channel.
Speakers:
- Dr George Collins, Chief of Research, ANSTO (2005-2008) DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Dr Tony Vassallo, Director, Invenergy Pty Ltd DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Professor Andrew Cheetham, Pro Vice-Chancellor Research, University of Western Sydney DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
SESSION 4: RENEWABLE ENERGY
This session examines the role and reliability of renewables and looks at the latest science on solar, wind and other potential energy sources.
View Session 4 on the Whitlam Institute YouTube Channel.
Speakers:
- Dr Mark Diesendorf, Institute of Environmental Studies, University of NSW DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Dr Martin Poole, Joint Managing Director, EPURON P/L DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Ms Andrea Gaffney, National Government Relations Manager – Solar, Clean Energy Council PRESENTATION NOT AVAILABLE
SESSION 5: THE CLIMATE CHALLENGE
Wrapping up the series, this session covers energy challenges and opportunities and the role of good science literacy and communication in the development of energy policy.
View Session 5 on the Whitlam Institute YouTube Channel.
Speakers:
- Dr Bert Drake, Senior Research Plant Physiologist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Smithsonian Institution, USA DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (PDF)
- Dr Lorraine Stephenson, Partner, National Leader Climate Change, Ernst & Young PRESENTATION NOT AVAILABLE
- Professor John Bartlett, Head of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Western Sydney PRESENTATION NOT AVAILABLE
