NUMBER 206 | APRIL 2018
WENDY CRAIK, LORRAINE STEVENSON LACHLAN BLACKHALL INTERVIEW: MICHELLE SIMMONS Climate change People-powered Australia’s policies grids tech future
WINDS OF CHANGE Australia’s energy future
AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING 2018 ATSE Innovation Dinner and Clunies Ross Awards ATSE cordially invites you, your staff, guests and partners to attend the ATSE Innovation Dinner where the Clunies Ross Awards will be presented at the Sofitel Hotel, Melbourne on 13 June 2018. The Dinner provides a valuable networking opportunity and a chance to be part of the nation’s premier annual awards for innovation commercialisation.
The Clunies Ross Awards are presented in three separate categories; DETAILS ■ Entrepreneur of the Year Wednesday 13 June 2018 Sofitel Hotel, Melbourne ■ Knowledge and Commercialisation The Grand Ballroom ■ Innovation 25 Collins Street, Melbourne
Now in its 28th year of being presented, the Clunies Ross Awards $160 per person or $1,440 for a table of 10 will again recognise the outstanding applications of science and technology that provide economic, social and/or environmental 6.15pm Pre-dinner drinks 7.00pm Official proceedings benefit to Australia. Black tie optional This year’s Keynote speaker is the 2018 Australian of the Year, Registrations now open at Professor Michelle Simmons FAA FTSE, UNSW Professor of Quantum www.atse.org.au/InnovationDinner Physics and Director of the Australian Research Council Centre Mr Darryn Smart, of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Clunies Ross Knowledge Technology. Commercialisation Award 2017, Registrations now open. recipient, Email [email protected] with any enquiries. congratulated by Dr Leanna Read FTSE, Chief Scientist for South Australia.
SUSTAINING GOLD SPONSOR SUSTAINING SILVER SPONSOR BRONZE SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ATSE_CR_InnoDinn18_A4advert03.indd 1 9/4/18 2:18 pm APRIL 2018 | FOCUS Contents
10 Australian of the Year Michelle Simmons 5 News 4 From the President‘s desk 22 Is Australia serious 14 Australia can be a world about climate change? leader in energy storage 25 Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it‘s graphene BY BRUCE GODFREY 32 Risky bias in artificial intelligence
16 Value chains and 34 What does a future-ready PhD energy productivity graduate look like? BY JONATHAN JUTSEN 36 Women in technology
39 ATSE People
29 Reflections 45 Events on STELR 46 Book reviews By ALAN FINKEL
PUBLISHER Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering Address: Level 1, 1 Bowen Crescent, Melbourne ATSE Focus is produced to stimulate discussion and public policy initiatives on key topics of interest to Postal Address: the Academy and the nation. Many articles are contributed by ATSE Fellows with expertise in these areas. GPO Box 4055, Melbourne, Victoria 3001 Opinion articles will be considered for publication. Items between 800 and 1400 words are preferred. Telephone: 03 9864 0900 Please address comments, suggested topics and article for publication to [email protected]. Facsimile: 03 9864 0930 Email: [email protected] CEO: Dr Margaret Hartley FTSE Editor: Anthea Batsakis With thanks to: David Glanz and Inoka Amarasekara Print Post Publication No 341403/0025 ISSN 1326-8708 (print) 2207-8223 (electronic) Design and production: Coretext 03 9670 1168 www.coretext.com.au
Stay in touch with ATSE on Twitter COPYRIGHT bit.ly/ATSETwitter or @atse_au This publication contains copyright material. Some of the material is owned by Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering Ltd ACN 008 520 394 (ATSE) and LinkedIn bit.ly/ATSELinkedIn and some material is owned by others. All copyright and other intellectual property rights in the materials remain or just follow the links from our webpage with the owner. No material in this publication may be copied (except as legally allowed) or further disseminated Read Focus online or sign up for a free electronic subscription at bit.ly/ATSEFocus without the express and written permission of the holder of that copyright, with the exception of copying for educational purposes. Copyright © ATSE 2018
www.atse.org.au 3 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
From the President‘s desk Solving the energy trilemma
WINDS OF CHANGE Australia‘s energy future
e have three goals for our the ban by some state governments on secure supply – will become cheaper than energy supply, two of unconventional gas production, which traditional fossil-fuel-burning generation. which are uncontroversial: could possibly increase the supply of lower- The major issue is that there will be a deliver electricity at the cost gas (it is not clear that it will, but by period, probably of at least a couple of lowest cost to consumers removing inhibitions on its production it may decades, during which we shall need to and businesses,W and ensure that the supply encourage entrepreneurs to come up with replace our existing generating capacity is reliable and secure (the latter implies that different solutions). with these new solutions. enough electricity is available instantly when Similarly, it does not make any scientific The longer we delay the start of this required and the former that an event on the sense to prohibit the development of nuclear replacement cycle, the greater will be the
grid – such as a wind turbine shutting down power generation. While there is widespread unnecessary pumping of CO2 into the due to a lack of wind – does not cause the scepticism regarding its economic viability, atmosphere. At present, a lack of clear grid to become unstable). a new generation of small modular reactors policy direction is delaying the investment Everyone agrees on those two, but may change this equation and, if that turned that is required to bring in this new unfortunately the third consideration, namely out to be the case, Australia would lag behind generation capacity. to reduce – actually remove – greenhouse the rest of the world. On the demand side, a new set of gas emissions from our electricity generators, The influence of technology is already technologies can also be used to reduce turns the rational discussion on energy into being felt due to the distribution of electricity requirements and also to an emotional debate. generation in the form of the 1.8 million improve the overall efficiency of the ATSE believes policy-makers should Australian households that are generating system end-to-end. set rules that allow the market to pick the their own electricity using solar cells. Our Overall, while there is much to winners in terms of the technologies we use electricity distribution system needs to catch be done, there is plenty of reason for to solve the energy trilemma. However, the up with this development through the use optimism as you will see from the articles rules must ensure that the playing field is of so-called ‘smart grid‘ technologies that from ATSE Fellows addressing the above level for all technologies. ‘Clean‘ energy is coordinate the central generators with the topics in this issue of Focus. currently more expensive (and we emphasise increasing number of distributed generators. currently because within a decade this will Of course, suppliers of variable renewable no longer be a consideration) than ‘dirty‘ electricity generated from the sun and wind energy (the latter coming from burning oil, need to ensure 24-hour supply through the
coal or gas, all of which release CO2 into the use of energy storage. While there has been atmosphere, unless carbon capture and a lot of noise in the media about whether storage is added to the generation system). renewables can achieve continuous supply, This raises a predicament for policy- the answer is very clearly that they can. It will PROFESSOR HUGH BRADLOW FTSE makers as to whether they should set a price require storage but the massive investments on carbon emissions or subsidise renewables going into batteries and other grid storage to level the playing field. However, to achieve solutions (such as pumped hydro and super- technology neutrality governments also capacitors) give us confidence that we shall need to avoid emotional bans on certain be able to meet this need. technologies that are not based on evidence. On the current technology trajectory, For example, there is no evidence to support the cost of renewables – with reliable and
4 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS NEWS
South Australian election voter compass
The tech revolution shows no signs of SA Best, the Liberal Party, the Labor Party and reducing the need to import power from slowing, and South Australia runs the risk the SA Greens urging a number of policies the NEM at peak power prices; of lagging behind the rest of the world if that, if implemented, would help South ¢being the first mover for 5G infrastructure; the new government does not embrace Australia thrive. and ongoing innovation. “We put forward key technology policy ¢evidence-based analysis of the role of issues so that the public could judge the genetic technology in the food of the future. That was the message promoted by competing political parties against these in Other policies ranged across industry ATSE in the run-up to the state election in order to help them decide,” ATSE President and innovation, energy, health technology, March, encouraging parties and voters to Hugh Bradlow said. agriculture and water. make technology policy a priority in political “It’s a vote compass for technology Responses were received from Labor and debates. policy.” the Greens. In the weeks before the election, ATSE Policies and priorities included: submitted a document to the offices of ¢urgently ensuring power reliability, Visit atse.org.au for more information.
AI EMBRACED BY VICTORIAN PARLIAMENT obots visited the Parliament of Victoria last month for the launch of change and then work out how we, as a community and society, can Rthe Victorian All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence. make sure people are not left behind,” Mr Dalidakis said. “Parliament The group, made up of parliamentarians from across the political will be at the forefront of being able to explain and take advantage of spectrum, aims to learn more about the transformative nature of this technology.” artificial intelligence (AI) and how it will affect the future of Victoria. Mr Southwick added that it was an important issue for Victoria’s ATSE’s Victorian Division co-hosted the seminar for MPs and future and would be the focus of a joint parliamentary team. “We hope their staff, which was addressed by 3A Institute Director Professor to work together to ensure Victoria’s future is well progressed with the Genevieve Bell. The event was launched by Innovation Minister Philip kinds of innovation that we are seeing here today,” he said. Dalidakis and Shadow Innovation Minister David Southwick, who are During the launch, robots from RMIT University handed the co- the group’s co-convenors. convenors a primer outlining basic information on some of the key “We should be learning to embrace that change, adopt that issues in AI and machine learning.
Victorian Minister for Innovation Philip Dalidakis is handed a primer on AI and machine learning at the launch. PHOTO: GLENN JEFFREY GLENN PHOTO:
www.atse.org.au 5 FOCUS | APRIL 2018 NEWS
Submissions from the Academy
ONE OF THE ACADEMY’S IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS IS TO HELP DEVELOP EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICY IN AREAS INVOLVING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THIS IS OFTEN DONE WITH SUBMISSIONS, CALLING ON THE EXPERTISE OF OUR FELLOWS, TO GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRIES AND LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES.
To read them in full, visit the ATSE website (atse.org.au).
ENERGY WORKSHOP IDENTIFIES POLICIES FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION or Australia to be a world leader in In November, ATSE held the ATSE Energy The participants also discussed cross- Femissions reduction and climate change Policy Workshop 2017, ’A Sustainable Energy sectoral challenges such as improving energy mitigation, policy measures must be rolled Future for Australia’, bringing together Fellows, productivity and the intersections between out across the entire economy. leaders in industry, academic experts and energy, food, water and the environment. But the highest priority is the energy sector, senior public servants to explore opportunities They identified policies and actions that which is responsible for nearly 80 per cent of and challenges arising from this transition. can not only boost Australia’s productivity Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. It must The workshop, held in Adelaide, addressed and sustainability, but also our global embrace climate change policies to ensure some of the country’s biggest sources of competitiveness. Australia transitions to low-emission energy emissions, including the electricity sector, and systems that are affordable, secure and reliable. direct combustion in industry and transport. Visit atse.org.au
6 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS NEWS
HERE ARE A FEW OF OUR RECENT Priority must be given to preparing Australian industry and SUBMISSIONS, OUTLINING ATSE’S POSITION society leaders in applying and developing digital technologies. ON CURRENT TOPICS. It is imperative a national Digital Economy Strategy for Australia’s digital future is established. National Energy Guarantee (NEG) Recommendations from the Academy include devising Draft Design consultation paper strategies to harness and grow digital transformation expertise in all The Energy Security Board industry sectors (such as biotech, financial and energy industries), The National Energy Guarantee (NEG) emissions requirement risks boosting productivity and competitiveness, and maintaining the being costly and ineffective if it’s not part of a long-term national highest cybersecurity standards. The submission was drafted by decarbonisation strategy. The NEG is a two-part strategy to deliver Academy’s Digital Futures Working Group. reliable and lower-emission energy generation each year – and it has ATSE’s qualified support. While it’s not the Academy’s preferred Optimising STEM Industry–Schools policy to reduce emissions, in the current environment it may be Partnerships: Inspiring Australia’s Next Australia’s best chance to clear the muddled policies hampering Generation energy sector investment. Recommendations to the Energy Security Department of Education and Training Board include ensuring the NEG doesn’t entrench or boost market Schools must deliver 21st century skills of communication, power of the vertically integrated generator–retailers, and ensuring collaboration and creativity alongside a clear prioritisation of maths it enables different resources and technologies, such as generation and science. The future workforce will be fragmented – students and storage. and graduates from tertiary education entering the workforce will need a combination of both interpersonal skills and deep discipline Clean Energy Finance knowledge so they can adapt to emerging opportunities. Corporation (CEFC) Review Key points made in this submission include equipping teachers Department of the Environment and Energy with necessary skills to engage students with the evolving workforce, ATSE recommends expanding the Clean Energy Innovation Fund and deepening the partnership between industry and education (CEFC) and a technology neutral investment mandate for the CEFC, a with more work placement opportunities. specialist clean energy financier. The CEFC has been broadly successful increasing flows of finance Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation into the clean energy sector. But its investment mandate must allow in Western Australia it the flexibility to evolve and ensure the body’s ongoing impact. Independent Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Important recommendations in the submission include allowing Stimulation in WA the CEFC to occupy a higher-risk niche for increased impact by The risks associated with shale gas are comparable to those associated expanding the Clean Energy Innovation Fund; and futureproofing the with other resource extraction activities. The body of scientific evidence, CEFC’s mandate with targeted technology and sector-neutral outcomes. while constantly evolving, makes it clear shale gas developments may broadly impact water, land, air, climate change, society and health. To Digital Economy Strategy responsibly and sustainably develop shale gas resources, governments Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and industry must commit to evidence-based, site-specific risk Understanding the role technology plays – and will continue to play assessment and mitigation, transparent and open communication with – in our economy will help determine how we prepare for changes communities, impact monitoring and robust independent research across industry, government, education and the community. addressing knowledge gaps.
ATSE MAY TAKE ON INNOVATION METRICS he Innovation and Science Australia (ISA) Innovation and Science (DIIS) to review metrics within 18 months, including new TBoard released its 2030 strategic plan business and research and development innovation metrics to track other areas of Australia 2030: Prosperity through Innovation. ATSE data collections to ensure they are fit for our innovation economy with a view to was mentioned in Recommendation 30, below: purpose and take full advantage of all promoting these for use by the broader Support the development of a suite of available data sources international community. innovation metrics and methodologies to fully ¢commission an independent body, such as The Academy has been in discussion with capture innovation and link it to economic, the Australian Academy of Technology the Office of the Chief Scientist about social and environmental benefits. In particular: and Engineering, in consultation with the participation in this project, which would be ¢request the Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS and DIIS, to review existing innovation led by a working group of the Industry and (ABS) and the Department of Industry, metrics and report on a set of recommended Innovation Forum.
www.atse.org.au 7 Clever resourCeful solutions
The minerals we help to mine shape the world We combine the progressive thinking of our Global we live in. R&D and Technical networks to find solutions for the challenges encountered at every stage of the mining An Australian company with a global footprint, value chain. Orica has operations in more than 50 countries and customers in more than 100. On average, we deliver To deliver for our customers, we rely on excellence in 1,500 blasts every day. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
We’re focused on developing long-term We are therefore proud to be the principal Sponsor partnerships with our customers to reduce the total of ATSE’s STELR Project and to have helped more costs of mining, improve productivity and achieve than 400 schools in Australia and beyond become sustainable environmental outcomes. STELR schools.
Blasting Systems l Ground Support l Mining Chemicals orica.com
OR059_Stelr A4 Ad.indd 1 14/08/15 9:17 AM APRIL 2018 | FOCUS NEWS
Maftuchah Sari (right) and her colleague use a STELR solar panel to power a motor on the STELR test rig.
STELR now in more than 670 schools
STELR’s influence continues to reach further across the world and WESTERN STELR throughout Australia as the number of participating schools has Western STELR – the brainchild of Professor Barney Glover FTSE, a shot up to more than 670. STELR is ATSE’s initiative to bring hands- long-time supporter of STELR – launched in February in Parramatta. on, inquiry-based STEM education into schools. The program is a partnership between Western Sydney University (WSU), ATSE and the NSW Division Committee, and the OUR 21st CENTURY CLASSROOMS NSW Department of Education, and supported by the Institute of Some 60 local primary school teachers attended a workshop that used Education, University College London. STELR’s renewable energy equipment in south-west Jarkarta. WSU is supporting 10 secondary schools in western Sydney to The theme of the workshop was ’Community Building’, part of the participate in the STELR program. This takes the number of NSW program’s overarching theme ’Our 21st Century Classrooms’. schools using at least one STELR equipment pack and associated It was conducted by Maftuchah Sari, a physics and chemistry curriculum materials to more than 200. STELR runs in more than 660 teacher at the hosting school, Mutiara Harapan Islamic School. schools in all Australian states and territories and internationally. Last year Ms Sari attended a five-day STELR STEM teacher-training WSU will also use STELR kits and curriculum packages in workshop in Bandung, Indonesia. training its Master of Teaching (STEM) and Master of Teaching Long-time STELR sponsor Orica donated one STELR Electricity (Secondary Science) students. Special thanks to the ATSE NSW and Energy student and teacher kit to the school as part of its Global Division for its magnificent support helping make Western STELR Community program. happen.
IS AUSTRALIA TECH READY? TSE is assessing the ‘technological The project also involves developing and the Office of the Federal Minister for Areadiness‘ of key industry sectors to a 10-year plan for technology research, Urban Infrastructure and Cities. determine whether Australia can keep up with addressing industry problems that arise They identified areas where the research evolving technology – and the project is well when new technology is embraced. And will contribute to stakeholders’ work and underway. Technological readiness is defined transport is confirmed to be the first industry aligned timeframes for maximum impact. as the readiness to develop, adapt to or adopt sector analysed for its tech readiness. On 9 May, ATSE’s Annual National new technologies. Over the next three years, The Academy has begun discussing Technology Challenges Dialogue will be ATSE will develop a road map of what Australia the project with a range of stakeholders, held in Melbourne, with 50 expert workshop must do to fully integrate new technologies and including the Victorian Government, participants discussing the future of boost our economic advantage. Infrastructure Australia, Transport for NSW, transport as part of the project.
www.atse.org.au 9 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
Michelle Simmons on Australia’s tech future and her illustrious career
INTERVIEW The 2018 Australian of the Year overcame humble beginnings to become a world leader in her field.
hen her name was Australia to the forefront of quantum called in the Great Hall computing research globally. of Parliament House in Professor Simmons grew up in London Canberra, UNSW Scientia and moved to Australia in 1999, having already
Professor Michelle garnered an international reputation for her DINGO SALTY OF COURTESY IMAGE SimmonsW FAA FTSE said she not only felt work in two-dimensional gas hole systems. Michelle Simmons honoured, but also “charged with a great She graduated from some of the UK’s top sense of responsibility”. universities – her postdoctoral position was But as one of the greatest minds in in Cambridge. But, as she said in her Australia smallest transistor, made from a single atom. quantum physics in the world, Professor Day Address, she attended a “pretty rough” Every step of their eight-stage plan had been Simmons is no stranger to responsibility. school in south-east London. critiqued internationally, but they succeeded In 2017 she launched Australia’s first “Growing up in that part of England, I was nonetheless. quantum computing company, Silicon not raised within a culture that said it would And for Professor Simmons, there’s no Quantum Computing, uniting representatives be essential to go to university, let alone leave greater euphoria than overcoming a challenge. of governments, industry and universities Britain and set up a life at the other end of the As a child, Professor Simmons played in a UNSW-based consortium. She’s also Earth,” she said. competitive chess (in fact, she still has her the Director of the Australian Research “So, if someone had told me 30 or 40 certificate from the London Primary Schools Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum years ago that I would one day be asked to Chess Association). Back then, chess was Computation and Technology (CQC2T). deliver an Australia Day Address, you can an unusual game for girls. Now, she’s still Her research and drive to understand imagine I would never have believed them.” defying expectations – only five to seven per the world at the quantum scale has pushed In 2012, her team developed the world’s cent of her field is female.
10 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
“Group think is everywhere, yet it is Here, Professor Simmons discusses the future of quantum computing, Australia’s the antithesis to scientific endeavour. tech readiness, and her impressive career.
My prescription in this case is to remember – You are a role model for young scientists who are inspired to pursue STEM education no matter who you are – it is always or research. What advice, particularly to young women, can you offer them in important to question the world around developing their career? Work hard, believe in yourself and don’t be you and build your own understanding afraid to go for it. You should certainly avoid the easy options. There are great rewards based on your own efforts.” that come from embracing hard challenges
www.atse.org.au 11 HEAR Michelle Simmons SPEAK AT THE ATSE INNOVATION DINNER Wednesday 13 June 2018, Melbourne BOOK HERE: www.atse.org.au/InnovationDinner
AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
and carving your own path. You might be “Getting our strong To what extent do you think Australia is surprised by what you can achieve! equipped to handle the pace of changing It also pays to be open-minded about research base and technology? your career. One great thing about a STEM To lead changes in technology you have to education is that the skills you learn – our receptive have a very strong research base. Through coding, maths, critical thinking, logic, data the Australian Research Council Centre’s of analysis, research, the ability to communicate commercial sector Excellence scheme and the various Fellowship complicated concepts etc – are all schemes, Australia has a phenomenally transferrable skills that can open many doors. to work together is strong research base in quantum science and Undertaking STEM subjects will open rather technology. than narrow your choices in life. what will determine We also have an adaptable and open-minded industrial sector. However, What are some of the challenges you’ve whether Australia sometimes our academic and industrial faced getting to this point in your career? priorities are not aligned. Getting our strong Two of the biggest challenges I have faced are is to make the most research base and our receptive commercial ‘group think‘ and the ever-increasing amount sector to work together is what will determine of bureaucracy. of its opportunities whether Australia is to make the most of its Group think is everywhere, yet it is opportunities in the quantum domain. the antithesis of scientific endeavour. My in the quantum prescription in this case is to remember, no Where do you see Australia placed in 2030 matter who you are, it is always important domain.” when it comes to technology? Keeping to question the world around you and build up with or lagging behind the rest of the your own understanding based on your own world? efforts. Our challenge is to translate our strong Bureaucracy seems to be inevitable as are some examples of these problems? research base to new industries here in research efforts grow in size. In this case, Over 40 per cent of Australian industry Australia, and this needs to happen quickly however, there is no remedy. You just have to is predicted to be impacted by quantum if we are to capture the benefits for Australia battle through it! technologies. Examples include more by 2030. This will require creative thinking accurate and predictive weather forecasting, and a sense of urgency to break down the What do you wish more people knew about more efficient drug design and discovery barriers between universities, industry and quantum technologies? processes, better risk modelling in banks government. There is a transformational change coming and financial organisations, improved The opportunities are enormous, but in information technology, as we learn to pattern recognition analysis (for example, the translation of quantum computing manipulate and control quantum states. for driverless cars) and enhanced database technologies into practice is a long-term This will impact nearly every industry that searching. project. We need to start now. is data-intensive via absolutely secure Effectively, any industry that needs to communications and ultra-fast computation. sort through large databases or optimise How will you use this platform as Australian It will also require a whole new skills problems involving lots of variables will be of the Year? Are there any messages you’d base: hardware and software engineers impacted. It’s a game changer. like to promote? to build the quantum chips and develop First and foremost, I would like to see us break quantum programming languages; What else is in store for the future of down the boundaries between universities, mathematicians and physicists to work on quantum computing? What do you imagine industry and government in order to help quantum algorithms; hardware engineers to the technology would look like in 2030? found unique high-technology industries make control systems; instrument scientists By then, I believe we will start to see a in Australia based on our international to develop the technologies for exquisitely proliferation of quantum servers, performing leadership and strong research base. precise measurements; and material scientists, complex calculations for remote users. The Second, I am passionate about chemists and physicists to design new devices. model will be reminiscent of that employed encouraging young girls and boys to enter It is an exciting time for Australia as for the first servers developed for classical STEM fields. To this end, I want to highlight we have an incredibly strong – indeed computing, where users submitted a job and the benefits gained from taking the hard disproportionately strong – research base in awaited the outcome. subjects in school: disciplines that build quantum technologies across all these fields. Significantly, Australia has the potential to strong quantitative skills and encourage the manufacture these servers itself and develop ‘creation‘ rather than just the ‘usage‘ of new You’re developing a computer that could associated communications technology for technologies. This will become increasingly “solve problems in minutes that would secure access. These activities could form the important no matter what career a person otherwise take thousands of years”. What foundation of completely new industries. aspires to. ¤
www.atse.org.au 13 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY BRUCE GODFREY
Australia can be a world leader in energy storage
AUSTRALIA‘S ENERGY FUTURE The future of renewable energy storage in Australia and how we can take advantage of our natural resources.
nergy storage has the potential There are also numerous other energy storage technology opportunities for to upend both physical and applications with niche requirements, such as Australia across global supply chains. economic industry structures that mining or off-grid applications. Australia has world-class resources of the have defined power markets for raw materials used in battery manufacturing, the past century. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? most notably lithium. Our raw materials, InE a decentralised yet integrated Over the coming decade, there is unlikely to together with our world-class expertise – not 21st century energy future, electricity be only one favoured form of storage. Based only in energy storage, but also in off-grid networks must enable new opportunities for on expected-cost curves, the most likely energy supply and micro-grids – demonstrate managing the multiple, complex pathways forms of energy storage will include pumped that Australia has the potential to become a navigated by flows of electricity and hydro, batteries and molten salt (coupled world leader. payments. with concentrated solar thermal power Chemical storage – storing energy in a A recent Australian Council of Learned generation). chemical form, such as fuel – is also identified Academies (ACOLA) report clearly showed These different technologies have varying as a potential export opportunity as countries that energy storage is critical to successfully costs and performance characteristics. And such as Japan and Korea embrace hydrogen transforming our electricity systems. Storage determining which is the ‘best‘ form of energy energy. links electricity production and consumption, storage depends on where it is needed, for The typical process for producing enabling more grid-scale (or utility-scale) what purpose (in electricity reliability or hydrogen releases carbon dioxide. Water renewable generation and distributed energy security, or both, for instance), the nature of electrolysis, instead, avoids greenhouse gas generation into the market. the local electricity grid, and the current and emissions by using renewable electricity Energy storage is an emerging industry future types of electricity generation. to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, globally. But its application in high volumes Energy security is about ensuring the effectively storing the renewable electricity in for both the electricity and transport sectors ability to rapidly cope – within seconds or hydrogen. is still immature. less – with fluctuations in energy demand and Thanks to Australia’s abundance of sun, Storage comes in many forms and can be supply that would move system frequency this can enable growth of a new industry, applied in many scenarios: (50 cycles per second in Australia) outside particularly in northern Australia. ¢in-front-of-the-meter, large-scale grid allowable limits. Energy storage that can Recycling is also identified as an storage, or community-based or micro- provide electricity into a grid at a moment’s opportunity for Australia. We have a history grid storage; notice is an alternative to spinning turbines to of recycling more than 90 per cent of lead- ¢behind-the-meter individual consumer provide maintenance of system frequency. acid batteries. Opportunities to develop storage coupled to solar generation (there Energy reliability refers to the ability to technologies to recycle components of are more than 1.8 million buildings, mostly balance electricity supply and demand over lithium batteries (including cobalt, nickel and households, in Australia with roof-top solar longer periods. An adequate electricity supply lithium) could be further supported. power systems); is needed at all times but particularly to meet Importantly, Australia can encourage ¢electrified transport (buses, cars, peak demand at day‘s end, which may not product stewardship across the whole life motorcycles and heavy and light vehicles coincide with peak variable renewable supply cycle, including responsible sourcing of for delivery); and (middle of the day for solar and often night- materials, development of mining standards ¢new defence requirements (submarines, time for wind). and sustainability codes, and disposal. unmanned aerial vehicles etc). The ACOLA report identifies significant There is a legitimate role for governments APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
The most likely forms of energy storage will include pumped hydro. “Energy storage is an emerging industry globally. But its application in high volumes for both the electricity and transport sectors is still immature.”
to ensure the right policies are enacted to Australians’ knowledge of, and The career of Dr Bruce Godfrey FTSE has been drive growth in energy storage. attitudes towards, energy storage will built in business, innovation investment and Policy leadership will result in innovation, shape acceptance and adoption. General technology development. He has focused on the advancement and commercialisation investment, the establishment of new high- knowledge of energy storage options is of technologies (particularly new energy technology industries, the growth of existing limited and largely restricted to batteries technologies – renewable, enabling and low- high-technology industries, and increased or (the ‘Tesla effect‘). This is one of the factors emission fossil), investment readiness of products new energy exports. limiting uptake of storage, especially at the and companies, and innovation policy and programs. A Fellow of the Academy of Technology A proactive approach will provide the domestic scale. and Engineering (ATSE), he is a Director and opportunity for Australia to lead and facilitate Nonetheless, there is a demand for Vice-President Diversity of the Academy, as well re-skilling of workforces and the creation domestic-scale energy storage by households as Chair of ATSE’s Energy Forum. He has chaired Expert Working Groups for the Australian Council of jobs across all levels of the value chain, across Australia, to future-proof against of Learned Academies (ACOLA) on Delivering from mining and manufacturing through to soaring electricity prices and to take greater Sustainable Urban Mobility (2015) and Energy consumer spending. control of their energy supply. ¤ Storage (2017).
www.atse.org.au 15 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY JONATHAN JUTSEN
How to transform our energy productivity
AUSTRALIA‘S ENERGY FUTURE Tracking the value chain exposes just how inefficient our energy use is. Here is how we can boost our energy productivity.
nergy is a linchpin in our modern the trip was essential: it could have been health benefits, as long as the benefits can be lives – and this is fully appreciated combined with trips for other needs; or done quantified. when there are interruptions by bicycle or public transport. Nor whether Our objective is to double Australia’s to supply. But we use energy you may have got caught in traffic, which energy productivity by 2030. The Australian resources incredibly inefficiently. not only reduces energy efficiency, but also Government has set a far less ambitious ConsiderE the specific end services (the labour productivity. Virtual solutions are objective of increasing EP by 40 per cent final purpose for energy, such as for your beer rapidly reducing the need to travel to work by 2030, but more resources will need to to be cold, or food to be fresh) that require and entertainment in many cases. be invested in the task to even achieve that energy for their supply. If we track the value Another example is the use of an electric objective. chain for the delivery of those services and hot water system to fill your bath with warm The value chains we wish to explore are: the energy used, we find, overall, our society water. ¢food; only converts about 10 to 15 per cent of all Typically, less than 10 per cent of the energy ¢water; the fossil energy resources that are exploited in coal actually delivers the task of washing in ¢shelter; into the required service. warm water, taking into account losses in coal ¢comfort; Most people find it hard to believe this mining, power generation (which typically loses ¢connectivity - freight, people transport, figure until we look at some examples. more than 66 per cent of the coal energy input communications and infrastructure; Let’s look at the task of ‘connectivity‘, or as low-grade heat to the atmosphere and lakes), ¢health bringing people together with their work, transmission and distribution, as well as heat ¢community and entertainment; entertainment or goods. Many elect to connect losses in the tank and pipes. The warm water ¢education; and to their workplace using a two-tonne private car left in the bath when you are finished is then ¢security. driven by an internal combustion engine using expelled to the waste water system with only a In the past 18 months we have focused petrol (this fuel is sourced from crude oil, which fraction of the heat removed. on the ‘food‘ (nutrition) value chain and is transported and refined, using perhaps 10 per we have done an initial exploration of cent of the energy content in the crude). VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS the ‘shelter‘ value chain as well (covering The engine typically converts 20 to 25 A2EP, the Australian Alliance for Energy embedded energy in construction materials). per cent of the fuel to move the car. But the Productivity, is leading the way in using this This has demonstrated that we need to connectivity task is actually moving you, not type of value chain analysis to define how we look at material and energy flows together the car. If passengers account for 10 per cent can improve our energy productivity (EP). in our analysis, closely linking our work with of the car mass, only about 2 per cent of the EP measures the value we gain through circular economy approaches. crude exploited is effectively used to connect using a unit of energy. This value can be The food chain project demonstrated you to your work. GDP at a national level or value added at a very large potential for EP improvement, And this does not consider whether company level. But it can also be comfort or not just by reducing energy use, but also by
“This would form the first institute in Australia focused on energy productivity and efficiency in business, home and transport – filling a major gap in Australia’s capacity.”
16 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
Effectively only two per cent of the enercy contained in crude oil is used to connect you to your work when you drive there.
different times. This is achieved through the optimal integration of photovoltaics, demand management and energy efficiency, particularly by using energy storage capacity. This is not in the form of batteries, but in thermal or material storage inherent in most business, and which can be enhanced at a fraction of the cost of installing batteries at sites or at grid level. We are excited by the immense benefits emerging from this value chain approach, and applying innovation to deliver the potential benefits identified. using energy more effectively to improve with discrete electricity technologies with This also points to cost-effective food quality and reduce food waste. These far higher energy productivity that are approaches to reduce our greenhouse gas ‘top line‘ benefits are likely to be an order distributed through the plant. They would, in emissions and manage energy demand of magnitude greater than the ‘bottom line‘ some cases, be thermal (like heat pumps), but profiles, in concert with the decarbonisation energy savings gained. in other cases steam loads can be replaced of energy supply. Value chain insights show that by using by non-thermal plant (like high pressure To accelerate this work, and provide innovation – new technologies and business processing). Alternatively, membranes to long term continuity, A2EP is teaming with models – we can deliver transformative dewater to displace drying would be used. UTS to form the nucleus for a Cooperative change to the energy productivity of the chain. The potential is to replace a boiler and Research Centre (CRC) bid we aim to submit An example is the work we are doing steam system that is perhaps 35 to 50 per this year on energy productivity. to optimise the cold chain – refrigeration cent efficiency with heat pumps that may This would form the first institute in used to preserve perishable food from farm have a COP (coefficient of performance) of Australia focused on energy productivity and to plate. We conducted a pre-feasibility 4 (in other words, 400 per cent efficiency). efficiency in business, home and transport – analysis that indicated that it would soon be There is also opportunities to recover waste filling a major gap in Australia’s capacity. economical to conduct real-time tracking of heat and provide free cooling as a by-product, This work is critical to address the the location and temperature of every pallet providing up to an order of magnitude Australian Prime Minister’s trilemma of of perishable food from farm to supermarket potential EP benefit. having affordable, reliable and low-carbon shelf using the Internet of Things (IOT). Electrifying industry aligns with a low- energy. It is also critical to redress the This work led to a pilot trial with a carbon future, as electricity will come from competitive disadvantage our businesses supermarket chain to track a specific renewable sources. are facing through the combination of horticultural crop from farm to shelf. The We are also starting a project to examine traditionally low energy productivity (due results have already clearly demonstrated how Industry 4.0 technologies can best to low energy prices in the past), poor rates that there are large potential food quality deliver transformation in EP in manufacturing. of energy EP improvement compared to improvements and reductions in food There are many efforts to demonstrate competitors, and very rapid energy price waste by using this IOT/cloud computing the value of digitisation and technologies escalation in the past decade. ability to track product conditions along for overall business productivity, such as IOT, We can see the solutions to these the chain. cloud computing and artificial intelligence. problems through transforming energy Energy productivity improvements have But there has been little focus on energy productivity and we welcome organisations many forms. Reduced loss of product value benefits until now. We aim to rectify this that wish to join us in our CRC bid and to and waste management costs flow through by defining the range of key opportunities work with A2EP in its quest to double our to energy and input savings, avoiding the and then working with our partners to EP. ¤ purchase, processing and transport of food demonstrate their application in processes at Mr Jonathan Jutsen FTSE is the Chairman of the that will be wasted. Energy is saved by manufacturing sites. Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity and is on introducing smarter, more flexible, more Another important project we are the board of ARENA. Currently, he is also an interim efficient technologies and improved business conducting (with the Institute of Sustainable CEO of a CRC bid that will be submitted in the next and food-handling practices. Futures, University of Technology Sydney) round called RACE for 203 on energy productivity. With degrees in chemical engineering and applied Another transformative change we are is demonstrating the large amount of science, Mr Jutsen has 35 years of experience in his pursuing is the potential to replace boilers flexibility that most businesses have to field: in the private sector, government and in non- and steam systems at manufacturing sites vary their electricity consumption at government organisations.
www.atse.org.au 17 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
The heat is on Climate change is arguably the most pressing issue of our time. To keep a grip on our future, we need to rethink the way we use energy.
Wendy Craik explains how Australia has endured years of shifting policy when it comes to the energy sector. To transition to renewable energy, policies must be stable, certain and climate-change-aware. As chair of the Climate Change Authority, she outlines ways Australia can reduce emissions.
Lorraine Stephenson explains how reducing our emissions relies on a willingness to adopt and develop new technologies, particularly if Australia – one of the top greenhouse gas emitters globally – is to adhere to the Paris Agreement.
18 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
BY WENDY CRAIK
Change policies, not the climate
AUSTRALIA‘S ENERGY FUTURE Australia has endured years of shifting policy when it comes to the energy sector. To transition into renewable energy, policies must be stable, certain and climate-change aware.
limate change policy, like This brings us to the final horn of the task posed for Australia by its Paris target is politics, can be aptly described trilemma – energy affordability. uncertain. Australia’s emissions are influenced as the art of the possible. In From 2007 to 2017, electricity prices by economic conditions, weather, drought, the case of the nexus between increased by 63 per cent, according to the electricity demand and, in the land sector, energy and climate, finding the Australian Competition and Consumer rates of land clearing, which is in turn possible C quickly is important. Commission. Gas prices also rose sharply strongly influenced by demand in commodity We need to find a way to keep electricity from about 2015 as Australia’s LNG exports markets. Of course, these change over time. prices as low as possible and to decarbonise expanded. This significant price rise for gas In the latest emissions projections the energy sector while also fortifying power was accompanied by shortfalls in supply as prepared by the Australian Government, security. a number of the states and territories placed projected emissions in 2030 were more than Uncertainty in policy is a key barrier to further restrictions on the exploitation of gas. 200 million tonnes less than projected five our national energy market’s ability to solve Usually markets respond to higher prices years ago. And the projected emissions have this energy trilemma – and the reasons for with new investment. One might expect that been reduced significantly every year since this apparent market failure are multifaceted. higher energy prices and supply shortfalls 2013. Australia’s energy sector is undergoing a would have resulted in significant new In the Figure 1, projected emissions are significant transformation. investment in Australian power-generation expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide
The rise of intermittent generation (wind assets. Instead, the Australian energy equivalent (Mt CO2-e), a term used to describe and solar) and the exit of some coal and gas market was stymied for a few years by what different greenhouse gases in a common unit. has led to concerns that Australia’s energy some commentators have described as an These projection updates have resulted supply may not be reliable enough to meet “investment freeze”. in a significantly lower emissions-reductions the needs of households and industry. In my view, there were two main reasons task than expected. While businesses and households for the energy investment hiatus. The first To meet Australia’s 2030 target, however, need secure and reliable energy, Australia was the ongoing and significant uncertainty the emissions-reduction task remains also needs to reduce its emissions and about domestic emissions-reduction policy, challenging. Cumulative emissions reductions decarbonise its energy generation sector. and the second relates to the nature of the of 868 Mt CO2-e are required between 2021 In 2015, the Australian Government emissions-reduction task itself. and 2030 to meet Australia’s 2030 target. committed to reducing Australia’s emissions To put this in context, Australia currently by 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by CHALLENGES TO REDUCING emits about 525 Mt CO2-e each year. Making 2030 under its target for the Paris Climate AUSTRALIA’S EMISSIONS judgements about the nature, timing and Change Agreement. And Australia, along with The actual size of the emissions-reduction size of Australia’s emissions-abatement task is other countries, is expected to review and progressively increase its emissions-reduction commitments to help reach the global goal “We need to find a way to keep electricity of net zero emissions in the latter part of the century. prices as low as possible and to decarbonise As electricity generation accounts for around one-third of Australia’s emissions, the the energy sector while also fortifying energy sector will clearly need to play its role in reducing Australia’s emissions. power security.”
www.atse.org.au 19 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
Australia’s emissions are influenced by various factors, such as drought.
important for investors in energy generation Modelling for the expanded Renewable UNCERTAINTY HAS A PRICE assets. It will inform the competitiveness Energy Target in 2009 projected high The Centre for International Economics of a given investment (and the return on uptake of geothermal generation by (CIE) found wholesale electricity prices were investment) in the market when pitted 2020 – more than half the amount of wind above long-run costs by around $27 to $40 against other generation assets. generation. However, there is currently per megawatt hour in May 2017, leading to Energy technologies and costs are also no commercial generation of electricity in increases in household electricity costs of uncertain. Australia using geothermal technology. between $46 and $68 per quarter. The renewable energy sector is The energy generation sector has also Since the CIE analysis, wholesale electricity characterised by rapid technological change been grappling with a highly dynamic prices have moderated, so it is likely that and declining cost trajectories. Costs of wind- policy environment with respect to the cost of uncertainty is now a bit lower. generated energy declined by about 30 per emissions reductions. Nonetheless, the point remains that electricity cent in Australia between 2012 and 2015. On In the view of the Climate Change prices could be lower than they would be the other hand, the East Coast wholesale gas Authority – which I chair – this policy otherwise, if credible and durable policy is put price rose from $7.60 per gigajoule in 2015 uncertainty has delayed investment in in place to address the energy trilemma. to $9.78/GJ in 2016, before declining to low-emissions technologies, and has The Climate Change Authority found $9.19/GJ in 2017. contributed to rising household electricity many different policies or policy sets can In a further complication, expectations bills. help address the energy trilemma – although about the market readiness of some Policy uncertainty has also created risk their impacts on emissions, reliability and technologies have been overestimated. for the reliability of the power system. affordability will vary.
20 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
“The Climate Change F E Pro e te e ss o s 20 0 o er t e
t 2 e Authority found 8 0
800 many different 801 8 policies or policy 0 00 2 sets can help 0 address the energy 00 2 trilemma – although 0 0
their impacts on 00 emissions, reliability 0 00 and affordability will 2012 201 201 1 201 201 ro e t o s ro e t o s ro e t o s ro e t o s ro e t o s var y.” R PAR IR A R
Further, good design and implementation with demand-management opportunities is Dr Wendy Craik FTSE is currently the chair of the are as important as policy choice and they also a priority. NEM rule change and review Climate Change Authority and Deputy Chancellor of the University of South Australia. Dr Craik has more must meet three objectives: affordability, processes underway by the Australian Energy than 25 years’ experience in senior roles in public security and emissions reductions. Market Commission and Australian Energy policy. She has held many senior positions including Regulator are expected to give effect to some Commissioner of the Productivity Commission, Chief THE CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY’S of these recommendations. Executive of the Murray–Darling Basin Commission, President of the National Competition Council, Chair RECOMMENDATIONS An important part of the solution to the of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Towards the end of 2017, the Government energy trilemma lies in robust and durable Executive Director of National Farmers‘ Federation and announced its plan to implement a National emissions-reduction policy. In many ways, Executive Officer of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Energy Guarantee to reduce emissions it holds one of the keys to a prosperous and Authority. Dr Craik was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2007. and improve the reliability of the National sustainable future for Australia. ¤ Electricity Market (NEM). The Guarantee policy framework is still being developed by the Energy Security FIVE FORMATIVE PRINCIPLES FOR ENERGY POLICY Board, so it is premature to offer much The Climate Change Authority believes Electricity Market (NEM) over time in commentary on the Guarantee at this stage. any policy for the energy sector should line with Australia’s Paris obligations, That said, there is a pressing need for be designed with the following principles rather than create a strong, short-term investment certainty in the energy sector in mind: incentive for new generation that may and the Guarantee offers a viable pathway ¢be cost-effective and provide be surplus to demand; towards this goal. Demand-side measures affordable power to consumers by ¢provide a clear signal for investment seem to attract less attention in the policy being geographically neutral and by providing a transparent pathway for debate about energy and climate, which is allowing the broadest possible range lowering the emissions intensity unfortunate because they offer significant of technologies to participate while still of electricity generation, with clear emissions-reduction potential at low cost. meeting emissions-reduction goals; review points at intervals no less than The Authority recommended reviewing ¢incentivise investment in technologies five years to reduce uncertainty; and strengthening energy efficiency that could be used to help stabilise and regulation and information programs. We also the grid, such as low-emissions gas ¢carefully consider its likely interaction recommended conducting new trials to draw generation and carbon capture and with the wholesale electricity market photovoltaics and batteries together in virtual storage; and design operational rules with the networks, and improving consumer choice by ¢be designed to progressively lower aim of integrating as seamlessly as providing better access to energy data. the emissions intensity of the National possible with the NEM. A competitive energy services market
www.atse.org.au 21 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY LORRAINE STEPHENSON
Is Australia serious about climate change?
AUSTRALIA‘S ENERGY FUTURE Australia must embrace new technologies to effectively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
echnological change is a because the products are needed, well effect from 2020. The collective ambition of constant in our lives. Sometimes designed or have strong consumer appeal. these Nationally Determined Contributions we may feel that technology Climate change policy in Australia over (NDCs) must increase as current indications is developing slower than the next decade will also have an impact on suggest combined global action will lead to a anticipated – for example, electric our willingness to adopt new technologies temperature rise of about 3°C. vehiclesT have been available for more than 100 and practices up to 2030. The Paris Agreement, To address this shortfall in ambition, the years – while some other technologies surprise negotiated in 2015 and enforced in 2016, binds Paris Agreement requires five-yearly stocktakes us with their speed of commercialisation. together all countries in achieving the objective from 2023 to identify further actions to change Consider the adoption rates of of limiting the global average temperature rise the emissions trajectory in line with 2°C/1.5°C smartphones and the phenomenal cost this century to well below 2°C. It further drives global scenarios. All countries must identify curve for solar photovoltaic panels. When efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C additional abatement opportunities. we consider Australia in 2030, we can be above pre-industrial levels. Australia is a significant global emitter confident many new technologies will The detailed rules of the Paris Agreement of greenhouse gases – we are ranked about dominate in new and unfamiliar ways. These are still being negotiated through the UN 13th out of 200 countries. Australia’s current changes will occur independently of most processes; however, nearly 200 countries NDC is for a 26 to 28 per cent reduction government policies and legislation, simply have developed published strategies to take in greenhouse gas emissions against a 2005
22 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
Australia is a significant “Given the pace of change globally, we cannot global emitter of greenhouse gases, ranking about 13th out of 200 countries. maintain the status quo. Change will happen.”
NO REDUCTIONS! On a positive note, Australia’s greenhouse gas It is clear new technologies will play a emissions per unit of GDP and per capita are critical role in supporting and transitioning falling. This is a reflection of the strong trend the current energy system. If we can resolve towards the services sector. the trilemma, electrification can provide more In 2016, services represented 61 per cent opportunities for electric vehicles into the of GDP, employed 9.4 million people and passenger and light commercial markets. represented nearly 80 per cent of all industry. We will need smart integration The services sector includes finance and technologies in our homes and businesses insurance; healthcare and social assistance; for grid power, solar photovoltaics, batteries, education; travel; hospitality; IT and cyber electric vehicles and energy management security; and design and planning for the systems. built environment. Our energy-intensive, trade-exposed Although many of these activities are not industries will be under increasing pressure energy or emissions-intensive, the decisions to maintain international competitiveness as made in these sectors will be important the world seeks to meet the objectives of the for the vision of Australia in 2030 and our Paris Agreement. These industries can have emissions profile. a strong future in Australia if we can resolve Electrification across the built the energy trilemma and adopt innovative environment, for instance, will be an technologies. important trend as consumers preferentially Given the pace of change globally, incorporate renewable energy into their we cannot maintain the status quo. Change energy mix, such as residential and will happen. commercial rooftop solar and battery storage. To deliver a prosperous future for And there are opportunities for widespread Australia in 2030 and beyond, we must electrification when the grid intensity is embrace the technologies that drive materially reduced. As the grid intensity falls, productivity and make lives better. We need there will be incentives from a greenhouse effective policies and regulations across perspective to consider switching from gas to all levels of government that build on electricity for space heating and cooling. these technological changes and promote In the energy supply sector, there is decarbonisation opportunities to ensure currently no cohesive national policy to Australia meets ambitious abatement goals baseline by 2030. As Australia has ratified the underpin investment decisions for generation, for 2030. Paris Agreement, then we accept that by 2023 storage and network infrastructure. By seeking to be a world leader in we must identify a more stringent target. However, falling technology costs are driving decarbonisation, we can promote economic The Climate Change Authority of Australia investments in many renewable projects. growth, new jobs and healthy communities. has recommended a target in the range of a Globally, renewable expansion is Technology is a critical component of our 45 to 65 per cent reduction of 2005 levels by doubling every 5.5 years – and this is 2030 future. ¤
2030. The Government is projecting about consistent with the complete decarbonisation Dr Lorraine Stephenson FTSE is the Founder of 77 per cent of total emissions in 2030 to be of the energy sector by mid-century. Lightning Consulting Services, an independent energy, from the energy sector. It is therefore possible to envisage even climate change and sustainability strategic advisory No matter the target, the challenge stronger uptake of renewable technologies business. She works with clients to mitigate risks and create opportunities in response to climate change requires significant action across all sectors if national and state policies could be challenges. Lorraine is a Non-Executive Director of of the economy. The Australian Government’s harmonised to provide strong signals to Queensland Electricity Transmission Corporation own projections indicate our current policies investors and consumer. The trilemma of Limited (Powerlink), Non-Executive Director of Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), a Member and measures will result in no reduction of reliability/affordability/greenhouse gas of the Victorian Government’s Interim Targets greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 versus intensity is not easy to solve to meet the Independent Expert Panel and a member of the NSW 2005 levels. needs of all Australians. Climate Change Council.
www.atse.org.au 23 www.atse.org.au PROGRAM
New South Wales Health Symposium 2018 BIG DATA AND GENOMICS THE FUTURE DRIVER OF HEALTHCARE Tuesday 25 September 2018 Garvan Institute, Sydney
SAVE THE DATE
The Symposium aims to examine current and CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE emerging applications of genomics in healthcare n Sir John Chisholm FREng CEng FIEE UK Keynote Speaker delivery, particularly the technology-driven DNA Former Chairman of the Medical Research Council, former Chairman and former Chief Executive of sequencing strategies involved. These applications QinetiQ will be accompanied by generation of gigabytes n Bill Ferris of data which then require primary, secondary Chair of Innovation & Science Australia Board and tertiary analysis and subsequent storage. The n Professor Margaret Otlowski Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Tasmania interplay with emerging eMRs and other eHealth n Dr Kerry Chant initiatives is of great importance, but only starting Chief Health Office Deputy Secretary to be considered. Population and Public health n Dr Zoran Bolevich Chief Information Officer, eHealth NSW This event will bring together Australia’s leading healthcare providers n Marcel Dinger and innovators from research, industry and government to explore Director of Genome 1 at Kinghorn Cancer Centre the applications of genomics to personalising healthcare and the n Professor Ronald Trent FTSE challenge of how to manage the large data sets that will be generated Professor of Medical Molecular Genetics, in the process. University of Sydney EVENT DETAILS ‘Save the date’ with enquiries to DATE: Tue 25 Sept 2018 [email protected] VENUE: Garvan Institute, Sydney TIME: 9:00am – 6:00pm
AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING 8 NOVEMBER 2016 / NSW ENERGY SYMPOSIUM 1
ATSE_HealthSymp1809Advert.indd 1 28/3/18 12:13 pm APRIL 2018 | FOCUS www.atse.org.au PROGRAM
Graphene is a form of carbon made from a single layer of interlinked hexagons of carbon atoms. New South Wales Health Symposium 2018 BIG DATA AND GENOMICS Is it a bird? THE FUTURE DRIVER Is it a OF HEALTHCARE plane? Tuesday 25 September 2018 Garvan Institute, Sydney No, it’s graphene!
AUSTRALIA‘S ENERGY FUTURE It’s only an atom thick but this remarkable material might be the answer to the SAVE energy storage challenge. THE DATE
raphene and its superhero FILTRATION: TURNING SALTY WATER REINFORCEMENT: FORTIFYING METAL properties are set to INTO PURE WATER WITHOUT ADDING WEIGHT The Symposium aims to examine current and CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE revolutionise most aspects of Dr Joshi and his team at UNSW are working Strengthening, let’s say, a car made of emerging applications of genomics in healthcare n Sir John Chisholm FREng CEng FIEE UK our lives. Discovered at the on using graphene oxide membranes for aluminium often means the car is reinforced Keynote Speaker University of Manchester in 2004 filtration and water purification, particularly with more aluminium. Inevitably, the car delivery, particularly the technology-driven DNA Former Chairman of the Medical Research Council, by ProfessorG Andre Geim and Professor Kostya to turn salty water into pure water. Filtering becomes heavier. Instead, a layer of graphene former Chairman and former Chief Executive of Novoselov, graphene jointly won them the salt from water involves separating sodium would not only strengthen the car, but add sequencing strategies involved. These applications QinetiQ 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering and chloride ions from the water molecules as negligible weight and prevent corrosion, as will be accompanied by generation of gigabytes n Bill Ferris work. Fourteen years later, graphene is shaping they permeate through pores. well as being more flexible. of data which then require primary, secondary Chair of Innovation & Science Australia Board up to help solve the crisis of energy storage. Previously, researchers have attempted The first breakthrough in these and tertiary analysis and subsequent storage. The n Professor Margaret Otlowski Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Tasmania Graphene is the world’s first two- filtration with pure graphene, using methods graphene–metal composites were made in dimensional material. At only one-atom like plasma heating to create nano-sized holes. 2013 by researchers at the Korean Advanced interplay with emerging eMRs and other eHealth n Dr Kerry Chant thick, it’s 200 times stronger than steel, Graphene oxide, on the other hand, is Institute of Science and Technology, who initiatives is of great importance, but only starting Chief Health Office Deputy Secretary flexible, transparent and an extremely cheaper to manufacture and can be produced successfully fortified copper and nickel for to be considered. Population and Public health n Dr Zoran Bolevich capable conductor. These elecroconductive on a large, commercial scale. Rather than the first time. The graphene made copper 500 Chief Information Officer, eHealth NSW and mechanical properties, as well as its using nano-sized holes for filtration, Dr Joshi times stronger than it would be on its own, This event will bring together Australia’s leading healthcare providers n Marcel Dinger large surface area, make it ideal for storing uses the spaces between each graphene and the nickel 180 times stronger, with only a and innovators from research, industry and government to explore Director of Genome 1 at Kinghorn Cancer Centre renewable energy for cloudy, windless days. oxide layer as a path for water transport. 0.00004 per cent increase in weight. the applications of genomics to personalising healthcare and the n Professor Ronald Trent FTSE Other real-world applications of graphene The problem remains, however, to make the challenge of how to manage the large data sets that will be generated Professor of Medical Molecular Genetics, abound, according to University of NSW School interlay spacing smaller than the salt ions. DESICCANT: ELIMINATING SHOE in the process. University of Sydney of Materials Science lecturer Dr Rakesh Joshi. ODOUR EVENT DETAILS Dr Joshi leads a Graphene Research GAS SEPARATION: TURNING New shoes and electronics often come with a Group and is renowned for his innovative POLLUTANTS INTO FUEL small packet of silica gel to absorb humidity. ‘Save the date’ with enquiries to DATE: Tue 25 Sept 2018 research on graphene oxide membranes with This would work in a similar way to the water Graphene oxide membranes behave in a VENUE: Garvan Institute, Sydney [email protected] Professor Geim. filtration process, and might one day tackle similar, although much more reliable, way. They TIME: 9:00am – 6:00pm “In science we never say no to anything.” greenhouse gas pollution. are more environmentally friendly, have double Here are four more ways Dr Joshi expects Dr Joshi is involved in a project with the absorption capacity, and are stable over graphene to be used in the future. landfill tyres. Researchers heat the tyres in a many cycles of absorption and desorption. furnace, releasing greenhouse gases such as And they can be used at body methane. Graphene membrane can separate temperature. Dr Joshi says this means a lining methane from hydrogen, and the methane of graphene oxide in the sole of your shoes, can, in turn, be repurposed as fuel. for instance, will keep them smelling fresh. ¤ AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING www.atse.org.au 25 8 NOVEMBER 2016 / NSW ENERGY SYMPOSIUM 1
ATSE_HealthSymp1809Advert.indd 1 28/3/18 12:13 pm FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY DR LACHLAN BLACKHALL
The people-powered grid
AUSTRALIA‘S ENERGY FUTURE How empowered electricity customers are transforming Australia’s electricity supply and management systems.
hen you come home at led by residential and industrial energy to the Australian Competition and Consumer night and turn on the customers. These customers, who represent Commission. As an industry, we must ensure lights, watch TV or cook the bulk of our energy demand, are often that as these changes occur we continue dinner you probably referred to collectively as the demand side of to provide energy sufficiency, reliability aren't thinking about the grid. and security for residential and industrial the electricityW system: an extraordinarily The growth of renewable generation customers alike. complicated technical and financial system in Australia is, in fact, led by residential Clearly, the evolution of our electricity that generates and transports the electricity electricity customers through their system is one of the great challenges of our powering your home. accelerating adoption of solar photovoltaics age. Where do we begin? The electricity system in Australia is a (PV) generation. There are already 1.8 million One of the most pressing issues is the major piece of national infrastructure that houses with solar generation, the highest per change from a largely centralised electricity has been evolving since ‘first light‘ was capita deployment of solar globally, and this system to a highly distributed system led recorded in NSW in the 1860s. For the past 70 is predicted to double by 2020. by the generation, storage and devices now years, it has developed around a centralised Alongside this increase in solar PV proliferating on the demand side of the design. Large centralised generators, typically generation, we are seeing more interest in grid. These demand side resources have not burning fossil fuels, supplied energy to energy storage. At the residential scale, previously existed, let alone participated, in residential and industrial customers through small-scale energy storage is being more the operation of the electricity system. the transmission and distribution networks. widely adopted, and it is predicted that one It leads us to the following critical Today, however, the electricity system million residential batteries will be installed questions: is in a period of unprecedented change by 2020. as we transition to renewable energy Residential solar and storage (often How will we integrate these generation and install more distributed known as distributed energy resources, or 1demand-side resources into the energy generation and battery storage. How DER) aren’t the only additions to our homes, electricity system alongside the we evolve our electricity system in response however. They will be augmented by devices existing market, network and to these changes is going to determine the to better manage and control large loads generation assets and systems? electricity system we have 70 years from now. in our homes, such as air conditioning, hot water heaters, pool pumps and, eventually, How will we coordinate and WHAT IS DRIVING THESE CHANGES? electric vehicles. We can alter when and how 2orchestrate large numbers of To begin with, we are seeing the closure (or much energy these devices can consume distributed energy generation, mothballing) of large, centralised coal and in response to market need or changing storage systems and demand- gas-fired generation as it reaches its end of conditions on the electricity grid. This ability response capability to ensure life. These assets are not being replaced and it to better manage customer loads is typically energy reliability and security? is widely accepted that we will not see a coal- referred to as demand response. fired power station built in Australia again. On the demand side, the changes are Two key areas of work currently under At the same time, we are seeing a massive a response to the overwhelming customer way to address these questions are the
increase in the adoption of large-scale desire to drive down CO2 emissions that development and deployment of virtual renewable solar and wind generation. contribute to climate change, and to reduce power plant technology, and discussions However, these changes in the generation the cost of electricity – which has risen by 63 and debates about the role and function of a mix are being dwarfed by the revolution per cent over the previous 10 years, according distributed systems operator.
26 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
have to reduce the energy and power they can “These changes in the generation mix are being output to the grid. So how do we adequately coordinate the dwarfed by the revolution led by residential actions of demand-side resources and virtual power plants? We need this coordination and industrial energy customers.” to guarantee the delivery of energy and power to energy markets, transmission and distribution networks when and where it is needed, without exceeding the capacity of the distribution network. The complicated job of this coordination will fall to a new system commonly called the distributed systems operator (DSO). The DSO will ensure demand-side generation and storage, and virtual power plants, composed of thousands – or even tens of thousands – of devices, can all work together and keep the grid stable. We are only in the early days of discussions about how the DSO will function, what roles it will play and who will have the responsibility of running it. But if we want to take advantage of demand-side resources and VPPs deployed all over the country, we will need to work faster. While VPPs and DSOs won’t – and can’t – resolve all the challenges that the The growth of renewable generation in Australia is led by residential electricity customers. electricity system is facing, they will ensure that demand-side resources can be equal participants in the operation and evolution of VIRTUAL POWER PLANTS networks, alleviating voltage issues and our electricity system. In the past, a large, centralised generator addressing thermal and capacity constraints. If we get it right, these new demand- could deliver hundreds of megawatts of It’s clear, then, that VPPs are crucial for side systems and capabilities will be vital capacity. The increasing rollout of residential demand-side resources to participate fully in the in ensuring we have secure and reliable solar PV, battery storage and customer evolving electricity system. However, on its own, power, while addressing climate change load management (i.e. demand response) VPP technology won’t allow us to completely and reducing costs for both residential and means effective methods of aggregation are replace those large, centralised energy industrial customers. needed. The ability to aggregate lots of small generation assets – we need something else. Ultimately, VPPs and DSOs, demand-side generation and storage assets is called a generation and storage resources will be virtual power plant (VPP). DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS OPERATOR crucial for a future electricity system that will Through sophisticated software, Large, centralised generation is not only key still allow customers to come home at night, communications and control systems, a VPP to the generation of energy, it also ensures turn on the lights, watch TV or cook dinner makes all the small and distributed assets act energy reliability and energy security. and not think at all about the extraordinary like one large energy asset. Ultimately, this relates to ensuring the electricity system that powers our society. ¤ Virtual power plant technology therefore electricity system delivers the energy needed, Dr Lachlan Blackhall FTSE is currently Entrepreneurial plays a vital role in allowing demand-side when and where it is needed, and that the Fellow and Head, Battery Storage and Grid Integration participation in the electricity system. It system remains stable. Program at The Australian National University in allows customer-owned devices to participate Large, centralised generation is connected Canberra, Australia. Lachlan holds a BE, BSc and a in energy markets like the National Electricity to the electricity system via high-capacity PhD in engineering and applied mathematics and has pioneered the development of distributed systems to Market (NEM), which underpins buying transmission lines. Demand-side resources monitor, optimise and control grid connected energy and selling energy and ancillary services in and their aggregation into VPPs, on the other storage. His work has also resulted in the development NSW, Queensland, the ACT, South Australia, hand, are connected through the distribution of virtual power plant technology to aggregate Victoria and Tasmania. VPP technology also network. The lower capacity of the distribution distributed energy storage to deliver services and capabilities to energy networks, markets and utilities. lets demand-side resources deliver energy network means that there may be times when Lachlan is a Senior Member of the IEEE and a fellow of and power to distribution and transmission distributed energy resources and VPPs may the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
www.atse.org.au 27 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY DR ALAN FINKEL
Dr Alan Finkel visits a STELR class underway at Kilbreda College, Melbourne, in 2010.
Why we need hands-on STEM in the classroom OPINION Ten years ago, Chief Scientist of Australia and former ATSE President Dr Alan Finkel spearheaded STELR – an ATSE initiative bringing relevant applications of STEM to secondary schools. He reflects on a decade of STELR’s pioneering success.
had only just been elected a Fellow. The problem? Performance and perhaps by recommending or backing one or Bright-eyed and bushy tailed, I agreed to participation rates were down; there were more of the existing programs. attend the education committee meeting insufficient primary and secondary school This was all new to me, and I had only just with Don Watts (Chair), Vaughan Beck, teachers with a science degree; job security in retired from being the CEO of a Silicon Valley Bruce Kean and Mike Murray. In front science careers was perceived by high school company. So with the naivety of a new recruit of us Iwas a stack of papers describing the students to be marginal; and the science and the brashness of the Valley, I asked: 200 or so known extracurricular science and curriculum at schools did not engage the what’s the point? If collectively these 200 technology activities for Australian school interest of many of our brightest students. activities had not helped so far, we needed to students. The challenge? A contribution by ATSE, do something different.
28 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
“So, smarty pants, what would you do?” “Young people then and today are extremely was the appropriate response from the committee members. Stuck for an answer – concerned about the future of their planet but not one to shy away from a schoolyard dare – I spent the weekend web searching, and how their adult life will be affected by learning and writing up a proposal. The key, I discovered, was relevance. climate change.” Our kids were growing up in a wealthy, comfortable society. Complacency was knocking at the door. Far from being under pressure from their parents to be a doctor The Education Committee agreed it In a presentation to Fellows in 2007, I said: or a lawyer (which was the encouragement was appropriate for ATSE to develop a ¢When conventional experiments are I had from my immigrant parents), their program, and that it should be at a national taught, students often ask, “So what?” parents were encouraging them to follow scale. We further decided that to truly STELR will use extremely relevant their passion. engage the students, there should be a technology to teach fundamental Passion often comes from a calling for hands-on component. We had to develop a principles of science. the arts, music or sport, but for many young kit of equipment for every school. ¢A classic billiard ball experiment is just people, it comes from the dream of growing This was way beyond ATSE’s capability. science; a STELR wind turbine experiment up to solve real-world problems. After recruiting Peter Pentland to the is science with a job prospect. Wondering what was in the minds of project, Peter recommended Bernard ¢Advances in science rely on technology, our school students, I found the answers in Hodson at Industrial Equipment and so why not use technology to help teach the 2006 Australian Childhood Foundation Control (IEC). science? survey. Top of the list was the death of Bernard had years of experience By 2008 Peter Pentland was in his stride parents, second was being bullied at school making school laboratory equipment and as the program manager. I stayed deeply and third was climate change. had built large Van der Graf generators involved for several more years and then After perusing many reports and long for Peter to use in the Lightning Room at happily withdrew, leaving the program in the discussions with fellow Fellow Vaughan Scienceworks. excellent hands of Peter, Margaret Hartley and Beck, I proposed a co-curricular activity We brainstormed our needs with Pennie Stoyles. called Science Education Leveraging Bernard and he and his IEC colleagues I am delighted that there are now Extremely Relevant Technology (SELERT) to turned our dreams into virtually approximately 630 Australian STELR schools build on the theme of renewable energy. breakproof kits for solar, wind and hydro (nearly a quarter of all secondary schools in This theme was chosen not only experiments. Australia) and nearly 40 international STELR because it was a suitable complement to But equipment, context and content schools. the core science courses but also, more were not enough. We knew teachers were As a footnote, today I am chairing importantly, because renewable energy is central, thus there was a need to provide a project for the State, Territory and a significant weapon in our fight against professional development. In this we were Commonwealth Education Ministers to look global warming. This resonates with school helped by Russell Tytler and Peter Hubber into optimising the ways in which schools students – young people then and today at Deakin University. partner with industry to teach STEM. I’ve are extremely concerned about the future of By 2008, we were running a proof- participated in consultations in every state their planet and how their adult life will be of-concept trial in four Victorian schools, and territory and, among many themes, one affected by climate change. half funded by the Victorian Government, that consistently emerges is the need for The SELERT initiative had two goals. thanks to the initiative of then Secretary science teaching to have relevance. And so it First, to capture the interest of engaged and Deputy Secretary, Peter Dawkins was, and so it is, and so it will be. ¤ students who might consider a science or and Tony Cook. The other half was Dr Alan Finkel AO FAA FTSE commenced as Australia’s engineering career. Second, to introduce funded by the philanthropic generosity eighth Chief Scientist on 25 January 2016. He has an all students to real-world science and of ATSE Fellows. There was also a top- extensive science background, as an entrepreneur, technology, so that even if they did not up forthcoming on the request of our engineer, neuroscientist and educator. Prior to choose a science or engineering career, at President, Robin Batterham, from the becoming Chief Scientist, he was the eighth Chancellor of Monash University and the eighth President of the least they would have an appreciation of the Academy of Science from their Science by Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering power of science. Doing program. (ATSE). Dr Finkel was awarded his PhD in electrical To meet the second goal, it was essential And I had thought of a new name: engineering from Monash University and worked as that the decision to participate was at the STELR. All that remained was to think of a postdoctoral research fellow in neuroscience at the Australian National University. In 1983 he founded school level, so that when the school put up words to rationalise the acronym, and the Axon Instruments, an ASX-listed company that made its hand to take part, every student in Year 8 program became Science and Technology precision scientific instruments. He is also a co-founder or Year 9 was in the program. Education Leveraging Relevance. of Cosmos Magazine.
www.atse.org.au 29 Our vision is to create sustainability and excellence in Australia’s power engineering.
What is the API The Australian Power Institute (API) is a not for profit national organisation established by the Australian power industry to boost the quality and numbers of power engineering graduates with the skills and motivation for a career in the energy industry which encompasses: - Generation, transmission and distribution utilities - Manufacturers and suppliers to the industry - Consultants to the industry - End users of electricity in their operations. Value Proposition To deliver a sustainable supply of highly skilled power engineering professionals working effectively to meet the challenges of creating Australia’s new energy future, and underpin the technical and commercial success of member companies in the energy sector. The key objectives of API are to achieve the following: - Provide a sustainable supply of quality power engineering graduates to industry - University power engineering teaching and learning provides relevant industry skills - Value added continuing professional development programs - A respected organisation leading the national development of power engineering skills.
Further Information Contact - Mike Griffin (Chief Executive)
6 0419 643 795 [email protected] www.api.edu.au and www.powerengineering.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
life. “I use maths in everything from “In my senior year I did chemistry but Meet a calculating test scores and determining dropped physics because I was the only girl in grades to analysing data and statistics. the class. Most girls did health science.” “Maths is embedded in all my teaching Thankfully for Ms Edwards and her students, STELR areas and I use it every day.” she persevered, gaining a double degree at The same is true of digital technology. Flinders University in science and education. “Most of our administration is done online What advice would she give a teenage trailblazer and some of the teaching can be done Sarah now? “Too often at that age I had through a digital interface. opportunities and chickened out,” she “I use digital technologies to record and said. “So my advice is, take any and every How hands-on technology analyse data. It’s particularly useful when the opportunity that’s given to you – take with turned a schoolgirl into a data sets are so large – the computer does all both hands and run with it. Our vision is to create sustainability and science educator. ATSE Senior the hard work for you. “When it comes to STEM, don’t be afraid Communications Manager “Sometimes I film aspects of my teaching to try something new.” excellence in Australia’s power engineering. Dr David Glanz reports. to create a flipped classroom effect where STELR is an ATSE initiative. Peter Pentland, students access the learning from outside the the Executive Manager of ATSE’s Schools classroom. Program, said the program was continuing to “And at times I have the students film expand, with more than 670 schools involved What is the API arah Edwards’ schoolgirl their experiments so they can slow the video across Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, imagination was fired by a STELR down to witness quick or small changes.” the Philippines and New Zealand. The Australian Power Institute (API) is a not for profit national organisation science kit – and almost a decade She was inspired to become a teacher by “I’d like to congratulate Sarah Edwards. It’s established by the Australian power industry to boost the quality and on she’s hoping that, as a teacher, her year 4 teacher at Victor Harbor Primary so inspiring to see her go from STELR student she’ll see her students experience School. But her road to science teaching had its to STELR teacher and breaking through those numbers of power engineering graduates with the skills and motivation the sameS inspiration. bumps. Just as that ambition was crystallising STEM barriers along the way. for a career in the energy industry which encompasses: Ms Edwards teaches science and maths in her senior years, she hit the kind of barrier “I hope we see many more follow in her to years 8 to 12 at Naracoorte High School in girls doing STEM subjects often face. footsteps.” ¤ - Generation, transmission and distribution utilities South Australia and incorporates the STELR - Manufacturers and suppliers to the industry Renewable Energy kit into her classwork. That makes her probably the first person These five year 10 - Consultants to the industry in Australia to make the transition from STELR students from Fairfield High School are among student to STELR teacher. - End users of electricity in their operations. 100,000 students who “I used the same kit when I was studying use STELR equipment years 9 and 10 at Renmark High School,” she each year. Value Proposition said. “I vividly remember the cardboard boxes and fans and blades – it sparked my curiosity. To deliver a sustainable supply of highly skilled power engineering “I always wanted to be a teacher but I didn’t know what subject. Using the STELR kit professionals working effectively to meet the challenges of creating at high school gave me that drive to take up a Australia’s new energy future, and underpin the technical and science teaching position. commercial success of member companies in the energy sector. “I really liked how it was hands-on and practical. Around that time there was a The key objectives of API are to achieve the following: huge push around sustainable energy and - Provide a sustainable supply of quality power engineering I was hearing how they were building wind graduates to industry turbines in Snowtown. - University power engineering teaching and learning provides “And there I was in the classroom, making relevant industry skills turbines. I could see how the technology - Value added continuing professional development programs applied to our lives. I was so engaged.” - A respected organisation leading the national development Ms Edwards said using STELR fitted well “The biggest challenge with years 8 and 9 of power engineering skills. with Naracoorte High School’s new science facilities and an engaged style of learning. and even occasionally year 10 is keeping the “The biggest challenge with years 8 and 9 and even occasionally year 10 is keeping the science relevant and making those real-life Further Information science relevant and making those real-life connections. I want to avoid chalk and talk.” Contact - Mike Griffin (Chief Executive) connections. I want to avoid chalk and talk.” STEM is very much part of her teaching
6 0419 643 795 [email protected] www.api.edu.au and www.powerengineering.org.au www.atse.org.au 31 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY MARY-ANNE WILLIAMS
Risky bias in artificial intelligence
OPINION Machine learning is intrinsically biased. Here is what can be done to reduce risks.
hy does the digital assistant Alexa giggle and speak of its own volition at random times throughour the day and night? Alexa is clueless W as to why it is doing it, and Amazon cannot explain this bizarre – some say creepy – behaviour either. Welcome to your AI-enabled future. Artificial intelligence that can enhance and scale human expertise is profoundly changing our social and working lives, controlling how we perceive and interact with the physical and digital world. We live in the Age of AI. It’s a time of unprecedented and unstoppable disruption and opportunity, where individuals, businesses, governments and the global economy progressively rely on the perceptions, decisions and actions of AI. Machine learning, the dominant approach Dog or towel? Sometimes machine learning failures can be surprising. to AI today, has several scientific challenges holding it back from widespread adoption and truly transforming life as we know it. sensory information is critical for intelligence, There are three primary sources of One of them is the ‘opacity problem’. but at the same time bias can lead to bias in machine learning: data, training Machine learning cannot explain itself. It lacks unethical or illegal outcomes. and algorithm. The data used to train the awareness of its own processes, and therefore Machine learning systems learn to be model is often biased – this can happen as cannot explain its decisions and actions. biased: they learn to discriminate inputs a result of the human bias embedded in the Not being able to ask ‘why‘ is a serious and like distinguishing images of melanoma assumptions or historical aspects of selection escalating problem as machine learning from images with and without melanoma, and preparation of the data sets. algorithms continue to profoundly impact our outperforming humans in accuracy and scale. This also happens when the data set lives and future opportunity. Machine learning models simply is just too small, narrow in scope, or non- We must develop robust solutions to the encapsulate the data they are presented. representative to build a robust model. Then, opacity problem because machine learning Without a well-designed bias that leads machine learning can amplify the inherent algorithms have been found to be biased to accurate prediction, machine learning bias in the data by over-focusing on it. – indeed outright racist and sexist in some makes critical mistakes: ‘false positives’ such Currently, machine learning’s predilection cases. as predicting melanoma where there is for bias can make it dangerous, because it It turns out machine learning is none; and ‘false negatives’ like not predicting may not be clear when machine learning intrinsically biased. The ability to discriminate melanoma when it is present. algorithms will fail. Sometimes, failures may
32 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
occur in weird and mysterious ways, like confusing dogs with muffins, towels or fried chicken. Such failures have led to innovations like adaptive adversarial machine learning algorithms, which learn by competing against each other. This technique was used to train the ‘deep learning‘ system, AlphaGo Zero that beat the world’s best Go players. From a computational complexity perspective, Go is much harder than chess. AlphaGo Zero is notable because it was not trained with a database of human moves, but by playing against itself over a period of three days. This technique can also be used for malicious purposes to ‘fool‘ machine learning Distinguished Professor algorithms. Cybersecurity risks can occur Mary-Anne Williams FTSE if a malicious adversarial algorithm learns is Director of the University to manipulate the data input to other of Technology Sydney Magic algorithms by exploiting their vulnerabilities, Lab, Fellow in the Center for Legal Informatics, and Co-Founder of the AI Policy compromising the security for an entire system. Hub at Stanford University. She is a leading The risks associated with machine authority on AI, explainable AI and social learning in terms of scope, scale, severity and robotics with transdisciplinary strengths in law, likelihood are high, and they serve to amplify strategic management, disruptive innovation and entrepreneurship. Mary-Anne is a non-executive the urgent need for ‘explainable AI ‘(XAI). director of the US-based Scientific Foundation Having recognised the need for “meaningful KR Inc, was Conference Chair of the International information about the logic involved, as Conference on Social Robotics in 2014, and serves on well as the significance and the envisaged the Editorial Board for AAAI/MIT Press, Information Systems Journal, Artificial Intelligence Journal and consequences of such processing” the EU International Journal of Social Robotics and the ACM has imposed new laws that protect humans’ Award Committee for Humanitarian Contributions rights to explanation. ¤ within Computer Science and Informatics.
“We must develop robust solutions to the ‘opacity problem‘ because machine learning algorithms have been found to be biased – indeed outright racist and sexist in some cases.”
www.atse.org.au 33 FOCUS | APRIL 2018
BY MARGUERITE EVANS-GALEA
What does a future-ready PhD graduate look like?
OPINION And why they need industry mentors to prepare for evolving jobs.
onvergence, impact and innovation debate policy and clearly communicate their sponsored throughout their career – they just are buzz words routinely research to politicians and the public. didn’t call it that. IMNIS aims to collect and used in all forms of media by This is a big ask of anyone when there analyse data around the impact of mentoring educators, scientists, journalists is little ‘how-to’ training, but particularly during the PhD. One goal is to determine the and politicians. We all hear how for those who are quieter, or culturally or impact on career trajectories. automation, C globalisation and collaboration are linguistically diverse. A number of IMNIS mentors strongly transforming employment, and how most jobs Students are told a PhD provides believe that if we do not invest in the of the future haven’t been invented yet. excellent training and skills for any career. development of our future workforce, we This is all well and good, but what about So we must inherently value the PhD within simply hinder our own progress – and I the people? How do we make sure the future the broader STEM ecosystem. We know most couldn’t agree more. I admire and respect workforce is prepared for the pace of radical PhDs will not – cannot – stay in academia the time and dedication our mentors devote change in our society? long term. So we must prepare our future to their mentees. Mentors are generous and Unlike the technological advances workforce for the multiple career transitions most remain committed to their mentee disrupting our workplaces, people can adjust they will need to navigate. long after the program has completed, and a their mindset and change their ways. STEM research encompasses a range of number now actively sponsor their mentee. In academia, with the immense pressure dynamic roles where transferable skills are But we must also expect our future STEM to publish (or perish) and get the data for that needed for success – technical, professional leaders to invest in themselves. next paper or grant, it can be tough to invest and interpersonal skills. Graduates collect Their passion, drive and initiative are in one’s own professional development. their scrolls with world-class research skills, already clear since they are doing a PhD. Tough for anyone, regardless of their career yet their professional or interpersonal skills And they must be encouraged and allowed stage. But invest we must! are quite limited. time to develop their interpersonal and Today’s STEM research environment is ATSE’s Industry Mentoring Network in transferable skills. exciting, dynamic and highly competitive. STEM (IMNIS) can help research organisations This is why unwavering commitment from Academia is transitioning from traditional fill this knowledge gap in our future workforce university and industry leaders, who already siloed research laboratories to larger, and in the scientific leaders of tomorrow. know the value of networking, has been so consortia-style ‘conglomerates’, akin to Mentors can make a difference. Mentors important. Networking strengthens existing small companies. Laboratory heads have can support and guide another’s professional skills and introduces us to new people and evolved into group CEOs – pitching research, development. They point out gaps in our professions. It is crucial for jobs of today, and raising funds and attracting international knowledge, strengths and weaknesses, and will be for jobs of tomorrow as well. collaborators, while strategically driving help their mentees identify and develop Major bonuses of industry mentoring research and managing several small teams professional and interpersonal skills – all include a more employable graduate who led by early career researchers. It requires an in addition to supporting technical skills understands the broader STEM ecosystem, element of entrepreneurial savvy to succeed. development. and is better prepared to engage and PhD graduates are expected to publish Sponsors can make a difference even collaborate with industry and transition high-impact papers, develop interdisciplinary more so. They actively promote an individual between careers with confidence. cross-sector collaborations, share their within an organisation and beyond, often An unexpected bonus has been the knowledge freely while patenting and risking their own professional reputation. ‘ripple effect’ on the students’ modus translating their discoveries, attract industry Many STEM professionals recognise, operandi during their PhD. Students enter partners, diversify their funding portfolios, in hindsight, they were mentored and/or mentoring during the second year of their
34 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS
PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI PHOTOGRAPHY
“We know most PhDs will not – cannot – stay Associate Professor Priscilla Johanesen from Monash University with in academia long term. So we must prepare several IMNIS mentees in the MedTech-Pharma our future workforce for the multiple career program in Victoria. transitions they will need to navigate.”
PhD. Many have said they are now more our current and future success as a sector. Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea is a scientist, researcher, motivated and organised in their day-to-day People can also change our culture, foster speaker, author and entrepreneur. Dr Evans-Galea has led translational medical research programs in activities, act more professionally and feel collaboration and mentoring, and support cell and gene therapy at world-leading organisations there is ‘hope’ at the end of their degree. the development of our junior STEM in the United States and Australia. Her research and Another unexpected bonus has been professionals such that we all succeed. leadership have been internationally recognised with the connection with the PhD supervisor. A The opportunity for academia and numerous awards. Dr Evans-Galea communicates regularly via social and mainstream media, and is number of students have had opportunities industry to engage through IMNIS is a win Ambassador for the Victorian Honour Roll of Women to introduce their PhD supervisor to their four times over: for the PhD student, their and the Scienceworks Museum. She is currently industry mentor. This further expands supervisor, the university and their industry Executive Director of the Industry Mentoring Network networks in industry and academia, mentor. in STEM with ATSE and an honorary investigator at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. underpinned by the shared mission of This isn’t about me and it isn’t about you. Twitter: @MVEG001 supporting their student’s future success. It’s about all of us – we need to ‘zoom out‘, see People are what make research and the bigger picture and make it happen. Now innovation happen. People determine there are some buzz words I like! ¤
www.atse.org.au 35 FOCUS | APRIL 2018 WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY
Homeward Bound: women on the front line against climate change
Ellen Moon in Antarctica.
The world’s largest all-female gender forum, One woman on board was Dr Ellen Moon, decision-making and science communication Homeward Bound, returned from Antarctica who started in fundamental geochemical skills of women with a science background, in March after a three-week expedition that research in the UK before moving into the who are vastly underrepresented in decision- marked the end of a year-long leadership mineral processing industry in Australia. making roles in their respective industries. program aimed at tackling climate change. She’s now a teaching and research academic To tackle climate change, we need evidence- in environmental engineering at Deakin based scientific policy that represents the Some 78 women in science from all parts University. interests of everyone, women included. of the globe, and from every rung on the career ladder, discussed the dearth of women Why is this trip important? Why Antarctica? Couldn’t this have been in leadership and their potential to influence The Homeward Bound initiative as a whole is done elsewhere? climate change. important to elevate the leadership, strategic The Antarctic voyage is such a vital
MEN UNCOMFORTABLE MENTORING WOMEN AFTER #METOO MOVEMENT diversity initiative to encourage male business leaders to mentor the bullying and power plays lurking behind the Hollywood glamour. Awomen – #MentorHer – has recently been brought to Australia by a Women and men around the world used the hashtag ‘#MeToo‘ mentor facilitating start-up, Mentorloop. on social media to share their own experiences of sexual harassment Spearheaded by Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, the movement aims or assault, many in the workplace. It caused a number of men to encourage male business leaders in the start-up and corporate in prominent positions in a range of industries to confront their sphere to volunteer to mentor more women. inappropriate – and often predatory – behaviour. It started after a survey conducted by Sandberg’s organisation “This unexpected knock-on effect of #MeToo has resulted in men LeanIN found male business leaders felt twice as uncomfortable feeling more apprehensive about mentoring women in the workplace,” working alone with a woman in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Mentorloop co-founder Heidi Holmes told StartupSmart. And the number of men who said they felt uncomfortable “We know how impactful mentoring can be for women’s careers, mentoring women more than tripled, increasing from 5 to 16 per cent. and apprehension from men wanting to work one-on-one with The #MeToo movement emerged after sexual misconduct women – if they’re aware of it or not – is leading to less potential for allegations surfaced against film tycoon Harvey Weinstein, revealing women in organisations everywhere.”
36 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY
component of the program because, after “It sometimes feels like scientists, public servants, almost a year on the program, it finally unites the 78 participants in one place. politicians and community groups are speaking Antarctica is a remote and extreme environment. It requires quality leadership to different languages, which can be frustrating ensure the safety and wellbeing of those that travel there. Given the ultimate aim of the and cause delays for all involved.” program is to influence decision-making for the future and sustainability of our planet, the Antarctic Peninsula offers a stark example of a variety of audiences is the cornerstone of voice at the table. Our decision-making will the impacts of climate change. my ability to contribute to scientific policy. only be the better for it. From retreating glaciers to displaced It sometimes feels like scientists, public penguin species, seeing this with our own servants, politicians and community groups What do you feel you have you gained from eyes and sharing our experiences with our are speaking different languages, which can the experience? friends, family and colleagues makes the be frustrating and cause delay for all involved. One of the most powerful components of the impact of climate change on the poles more program, completed earlier in the year, was relatable to our communities. Why is it important for women to be an assessment of our leadership styles, both Antarctica exceeded my expectations involved in policy and decision-making? from our personal perspective and that of in every way. I wasn’t prepared for the sheer As policy-makers, our decisions affect entire our colleagues. Working one-on-one with a scale of everything; from the snow-capped populations. Without women at the table, leadership coach, I was able to identify areas mountains rising out of the sea, to the the experiences and perspective of 50 per for improvement and, importantly, to design icebergs that floated within metres of our ship. cent of that population is excluded. Research personalised strategies to make me a more Antarctica is known as the ‘white consistently shows that diverse groups make effective leader. continent‘, but this is misleading! I’ve been better decisions, not just because of the influx The Antarctica experience means I’m surprised to see that icebergs and glaciers are of new ideas, but because diversity forces a now part of a network of 78 women (plus really many shades of blue when you get up more thorough evaluation of the available another 76 Homeward Bound alumni) spread close, like we’ve been lucky enough to do. information. around the world that I know I can call upon Research also shows that women tend for advice, inspiration or collaboration. How do you think experiences from this trip to approach decision-making with a legacy And I have a much better understanding of might contribute to forming better scientific mindset. To paraphrase Jane Goodall, who is just how much climate change is affecting policy design? a supporter of Homeward Bound: “Women Antarctica. For me, the science communication aspects have the ability to get head and heart to The melting of the vast Antarctic ice of the program will be invaluable when we work together. The lack of heart has led us sheets is perhaps the biggest threat to life as return to our respective countries and apply into some really terrible decisions that have we know it and seeing the effects of warming our learnings to influence policy design. harmed the world.” on the Antarctic Peninsula with my own eyes The ability to communicate the results We all have a responsibility to ensure has really brought home why we have no and implications of the research I conduct to women and other minority groups have a time to waste in limiting global warming.
SUPERSTARS TO SHINE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS unding for Superstars of STEM, a Science and Technology Australia speakers at major national and international Finitiative, will double, extending the program for another four years, events, boosting their visibility. The Jobs and Innovation Minister Michaelia Cash announced in February. additional funding will double the number of Launched in 2016, the program is designed to boost the number participating women and extend the program of women in STEM by creating visible role models for women and to run for another four years. girls. Only 16 per cent of Australians in STEM professions are female, “We are proud to support the Superstars according to a 2016 report from the Office of the Chief Scientist. of STEM program, which is showcasing the “Visible role models are absolutely vital in overcoming the gender incredible range of exciting careers in STEM – gap in the STEM fields,” Minister Cash said. in research, education, industry, government The role models – or Superstars – are currently 30 female and the wider community,” Minister Cash said. scientists and technologists who are being equipped with skills in Dr Caroline Ford, a cancer researcher based at the Lowy communication. They’re raising the profile of women in STEM by Cancer Research Centre at UNSW, is one of the 30 Superstars of STEM and regularly appearing on local and national media and being the keynote was featured in Focus 205 for launching the STEMMinist Book Club.
www.atse.org.au 37 FOCUS | APRIL 2018 WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY
e-mentoring program launched for women in renewables
Are you a woman working in renewables The program runs for nine months, with e-mentoring,” WiR Chair Natalie Collard said. with advice to give or looking for an the mentee having access to online modules, “Having experienced the growth myself opportunity to learn? webinars and handbooks. Intakes are open from both having and now being a mentor, these until June and the relationship begins once kinds of opportunities are incredibly valuable for The Clean Energy Council Women in mentees and mentors are paired. those on both sides of the relationship.” Renewables Initiative (WiR) is seeking both “We are aiming to make our young and While the program is aimed at developing mentors and mentees from the renewable dynamic industry even stronger by enabling female professionals in renewable energy, it’s energy industry to take part in a new women in renewable energy to grow, flourish also open for men to nominate themselves e-mentoring program. and learn from others through online paired as mentors. By doing so, they make a commitment to empower women and close the gender gap in the industry. The e-mentoring program is conducted by the Australian Women in Resources Alliance.
RECORD NUMBER OF WORKPLACES ON GENDER EQUALITY LIST o you work for one of the leaders in workplace gender equality? ¢initiatives to attract women into male-dominated roles; DThe Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) recently ¢supporting men’s caring responsibilities; and announced its 2017-18 WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality ¢robust analysis and correction of gender pay gaps. citation holders. But despite the progress, men on average still earn $26,000 a year This year a record 120 organisations were included. more than women. WGEA data also confirms that every industry and “The sharp increases in employer action show that the momentum occupation across the Australian workforce has a full-time gender pay for improved gender equality is building,” WGEA Director Libby Lyons said. gap favouring men. “I am very encouraged that many more employers are now And management roles continue to be heavily dominated by men, analysing their pay data for gender pay gaps and hopeful this will flow with women remaining under-represented in the upper leadership through to improved pay outcomes for women in the years ahead.” echelons, holding just 16.5 per cent of CEO roles. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active “Unfortunately, the number of women on boards remains static commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces. and too few organisations are reporting their gender metrics up to Trends among the recipients include: the board. We need to see some real change. Boards must take more ¢entrenching organisation-wide flexible work; accountability for gender equality,” Ms Lyons said. ¢programs to support women into leadership; The WGEA is an Australian Government statutory agency created by ¢tailored parental leave policies to support use by both women and the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012. men; You can find the list by visiting www.wgea.gov.au.
38 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS ATSE PEOPLE
UN Women Australia President aims to leave no woman behind
Women in our neighbouring countries in the Pacific experience some of the worst gender-based violence in the world. Kathy Hirschfeld FTSE – who last November was elected President of the UN Women National Committee Australia (UNWNCA) – will put a spotlight on this issue, bringing it to national attention.
“They have also been beset by an increasing number of natural disasters, which statistics show impact women and girls more than men and boys,” she said. Ms Hirschfeld attended and hosted events for International Women’s Day on 8 March. For 2018, the theme was ‘Leave no Woman Behind‘, focusing on the vital role women play in disaster planning and response, as well as their disproportionate vulnerability. Women and children are 14 times more likely to die or be injured in the wake of a natural disaster. Ms Hirschfeld said there were many examples of how gendered roles could mean the difference between life and death. “Following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, a simple lesson shook us: many girls didn’t know how to climb trees. Boys did. Climbing to safety, more boys survived than did girls,” she said. She added that women and girls were also more likely to stay behind to ensure the safety of children and elderly family members. “It is vital that women have a seat at decision-making tables. Women have important resources and talents to contribute PHOTOGRAPHY SHOTS HOT PHOTO: to planning for and responding to disasters (From left) Nicolas Burniat, UN Women Pacific; Frances Adamson Secretary, DFAT; Kathy Hirschfeld, President and conflict,” she said. UNWNCA; Janelle Weissman, Executive Director, UNWNCA; Air Marshall Davies, Chief of Air Force; and Verity Blackman, Board Member UNWNCA. “Women play a vital role as leaders, given their wealth of knowledge and connections to family and community and are well placed “Following the Boxing Day tsunami, a simple to help protect and empower other women and girls so that they can survive and thrive.” lesson shook us: many girls didn’t know how Ms Hirschfeld is a chemical engineer with 20 years of leadership experience on various to climb trees. Boys did. Climbing to safety, private company and government boards, and has been on the UN Women National more boys survived than did girls.” Committee Australia board since 2013. But the achievement she was most proud of, she said, was being a role model for which I hope encourages others to follow a as a leader and am particularly proud of women in engineering and technology. similar path,” she said. helping develop leadership in others and see “I’ve had a challenging but fulfilling career “I am proud of the difference I have made them go on to make a difference in the world.”
www.atse.org.au 39
APRIL 2018 | FOCUS ATSE PEOPLE
Professor Paul Zimmet holds his Paul Zimmet Senior Australian of the Year Award and his grandson, Felix. fights the global diabetes epidemic
Emeritus Professor Paul Zimmet AO FTSE brought diabetes to Australia’s attention. For four decades, the award-winning scientist has been an international leader in the field and his work has had a profound impact on many Australians.
In the 1980s he predicted the current global epidemic of type 2 diabetes and, in 1984, established the International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne. With more than 890 research papers published, Professor Zimmet is considered one of the world’s top minds in diabetes research, and is ranked in the top 10 diabetes researchers for global impact. Professor Zimmet was recently named the 2018 Victorian Senior Australian of the Year. Here, he looks back at his pioneering work and the ongoing challenges of diabetes.
How do you feel about being named the Victorian Senior Australian of the Year? It is exhilarating but also a tribute to my family, team and philanthropists who have supported my goal to advocate greater awareness and action for people with diabetes and others at high risk. “I saw the urgency for recognition of diabetes in Diabetes is arguably the fastest growing epidemic in Australia. Being 2018 Senior its own right. For 40 years I have fought for this Victorian Australian of the Year provides me with a stronger advocacy platform. to improve management and prevention.”
What is it about diabetes that you find so interesting? What was it that drove you? attacks and kidney failure. Then there are drugs we use may help some people but I could write a book about this. While in co-morbidities including sleep apnoea and not others. We can prevent it with lifestyle training, I saw diabetes was being treated depression. measures in many instances without actually as “just another” endocrine (hormonal) knowing the basic cause(s). These are just condition. I saw the urgency for recognition What are some of the challenges in diabetes some of the exciting challenges that make of diabetes in its own right. For 40 years I have research today? diabetes so interesting. fought for this to improve management and The cause of type 1 diabetes is still unknown prevention. so its prevention is difficult. At Monash, we What’s your proudest career moment? The person with diabetes needs the developed the Anti-GAD test, now used 2018 Senior Victorian Australian of the Year support of a healthcare professional team, worldwide to detect those at highest risk, but is very hard to beat, but as I was a pretty not just to manage the disorder with prevention remains an issue. average medical student at the University of medications, but lifelong attention to prevent Type 2 diabetes is not a single disorder Adelaide, receiving an Honorary Doctorate serious complications such as blindness, heart and has numerous metabolic defects so the from the university in 2017 also ranks highly!
www.atse.org.au 41 FOCUS | APRIL 2018 ATSE PEOPLE
EnergyAustralia levels EWA GOLDYS BECOMES A SPIE FELLOW pay disparity rofessor Ewa Goldys FTSE, from Pthe Graduate School of Biomedical EnergyAustralia is making a $1.2 million steps to close the gender wage gap in its Engineering at the University of NSW, leap to close its gender wage gap, thanks annual budget salary process, testing for was recently recognised as a Fellow of in part to Managing Director Catherine unconscious bias in pay across tenure, gender SPIE – the international society for optics Tanna FTSE. and nationality. and photonics. This would, however, have taken another Fellows are SPIE Members of The move was announced on International two years to achieve salary equity. distinction who have made significant Women’s Day, 8 March, and will see women “Our board of directors is unusual contributions in the multidisciplinary and men paid equally for equivalent jobs, among large companies for having equal fields of optics, photonics and imaging. closing the company’s 2 per cent pay gap. representation of women and men. They’re As Deputy Director of the ARC “Closing the pay gap sounds like a simple also deeply interested in diversity and the Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale thing, but the work to do it – reviewing the wellbeing of our employees. BioPhotonics (CNBP), Professor Goldys remuneration arrangements of hundreds “When we proposed investing says she’s excited to regularly engage of people, and making adjustments $1.2 million to close the gender pay gap the with international researchers across where they’re needed – is anything but board was nothing but encouraging and the optics and photonics space, to help straightforward,” Ms Tanna says. supportive. I’m proud to say that’s also been generate new ideas and to explore new “Such a significant change, on the scale the response across the business.” opportunities. we made it, requires the entire business to get But Ms Tanna, who became Managing Professor Goldys was elected a behind it. Everyone has a part to play.” Director in 2014 and has worked in the energy Fellow of ATSE last year. Around 350 women at EnergyAustralia sector for more than 20 years, says there aren’t “Fellowships, their ability to help will have their pay increased in April. enough women in higher-paid roles and develop and drive policy as well “Energy is a vibrant industry with an running power plants in the industry. as the discussion and networking exciting – but challenging – future. If we want “Most of the roles at our energy assets, opportunities enabled, provide a to attract our share of the bright, talented which typically offer good, well-paid jobs, are fantastic environment to stimulate new women out there we must also treat them done by men,” she says. thinking,” she says. fairly and give our people opportunities to do “That’s why it’s important we encourage “That benefits everyone involved, the best work of their careers,” Ms Tanna says. women to join our power stations. It’s about from the researcher and their institution EnergyAustralia, one of the country’s opening opportunities for everyone, regardless to the wider research community more leading energy retailers, was already taking of gender, background or affiliation.” generally. “From my side, I‘m really looking forward to some thought-provoking Catherine Tanna and energising conversations.” SPIE was founded in 1955 and promotes information exchange through conferences and publications, supports education and career development, and engages in advocacy. Professor Goldys‘ award citation noted her “achievements in optical characterisation of nanomaterials, biochemical and medical sensing”. “As a new Fellow of both highly regarded organisations I hope to extend and leverage these relationships to add value where I can, particularly in the area of research translation and commercialisation,” she says. “I’ll also look at broader areas, such as how to enable and enhance the career prospects of younger researchers in science.”
42 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS ATSE PEOPLE
IN MEMORIAM international standing. The ABC reported that Joe Baker was a lifelong ally for Dr Baker, who founded the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the reef’s welfare of the Great Barrier Reef was a lifelong concern. He was saddened to see the GBRMPA forced to convince the World Dr Joe Baker AO OBE FTSE was an science, the Order of Australia in 2002 for Heritage Commission not to list the reef as “in inspirational leader who drew on decades of contributions to environmental studies danger”. experience to steadfastly protect Australia’s and chemistry, and the Lifetime Clunies “To me, this was a terrible insult to natural environment for future generations. Ross award as a person of national and Australia and Australians,” he said. “It told us we were not able to look after one of our The Great Barrier Reef has Dr Baker to most valuable natural assets.” thank for being placed on the World Heritage Other organisations he was involved with List. One among many of his outstanding include the United Nations Convention on achievements, the marine pharmacology the Law of the Sea, the Australian Heritage pioneer appeared before the World Heritage Committee, World Wildlife Fund, James Cook Committee to laud its significance. University and the Australian Institute of Not only was he an unwavering Marine Science. environmental advocate, he was also a When he began his scientific career as a passionate scientist, with nine professional cadet with the CSIRO, Dr Baker played rugby appointments in 50 years, including Chief league for the Brisbane club Easts. Scientist of the Department of Primary In 1961, he started the James Cook Industries in Queensland (1999 to 2004). University Rugby League Football Club and The reach of Dr Baker’s influence was developed a reputation for being a skilful wide and in 2001 he was named one of the coach, later leading North Queensland to a first five Queensland Greats. state title against Brisbane in 1971. In 1982, he received the Order of Dr Baker passed away in Canberra on 16 the British Empire for services to marine Dr Joe Baker January 2018 aged 85.
MARGARET SHEIL BEGINS JOHN MATTICK TO BE FIRST CEO AS QUT VC OF GENOMICS ENGLAND ast year Professor Margaret Sheil AO FTSE lagship organisation Genomics England realise – for the benefit of patients, society Lwas appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Fhas appointed its first CEO, global and the UK economy.” Queensland University of Technology, with genomics pioneer Professor John Mattick To date Professor Mattick has had an the role beginning in February. AO FAA FAHMS FTSE. Genomics England extensive and globally renowned career She is a highly respected chemist and, was set up to deliver the 100,000 Genomes championing genome research. He has led among her many prestigious positions, she is Project – a project that will sequence the Garvan Institute of Medical Research a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand 100,000 whole genomes from NHS patients since 2012 and, under his management, Society for Mass Spectrometry (ANZMS) and with rare diseases, their families, and brought genomics, bioinformatics and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI), patients with common cancers. big data to the centre of the institute’s and was a member of the ATSE Board in 2016. Established in 2013, the project research programs. is currently headed by Sir John Among his many achievements, he Chisholm, who will hand over executive received international recognition for his responsibility to Professor Mattick in June. work showing how most of the human “I have spent my professional life genome is devoted to an extensive exploring the human genome and RNA regulatory system that organises promoting its importance to understanding human development – rather than being human biology, which I regard as the great evolutionary ‘junk‘. quest of our age,” Professor Mattick said. While in the UK, Professor Mattick “It very much feels like my career to will continue his academic career at the date has been preparing me for this role University of Oxford’s Green Templeton and it is an opportunity I intend to fully College.
www.atse.org.au 43 FOCUS | APRIL 2018 ATSE PEOPLE
Kevin Galvin wins Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin (right) receives the Antoine M. Gaudin Award from mining tech award Dr Osvaldo Bascur.
University of Newcastle Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin FTSE is the fifth Australian in 42 years to win the prestigious Antoine M. Gaudin Award, recognising his contributions to mineral processing technology.
Based at the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources, Professor Galvin is perhaps most renowned for creating the award-winning Reflux Classifier – a technology credited with saving hundreds of millions of dollars in the mining and minerals processing industry globally. The technology, developed in collaboration with commercial partner Ludowici, uses water to separate fine particles and recover valuable material, saving on processing costs. Professor Galvin is an internationally acclaimed chemical engineer who can add this achievement to a growing list of awards, such as the NSW Premier’s Science Prize for Energy and Innovation in 2016. He follows Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, who won the Antoine M. Gaudlin Award in 2012. PHOTO: SOCIETY FOR MINING, METALLURGY AND EXPLORATION AND SOCIETY METALLURGY MINING, FOR PHOTO:
CHERRY INDUSTRY GROWER MAGAZINE horticulture.com.au/grower-focus/cherry
ISSUE 6 Scientifically // SUMMER 2017-18 speaking... Content matters
Australia’s leading custom publisher for science and innovation MARKETING ISSUE Making the most of seasonal produce
HOW THE STATES ARE Professionally written and produced publications and books PROMOTING CHERRIES EDIBLE COATING EXTENDS SHELF LIFE DOORS OPEN TO Information products that show R&D at work Cherry1712_Summere.indd 1 CHINA AND VIETNAM horticulture.com.au/grower-focus/cherry | Summer 2017
Print and digital publications crafted to enhance stakeholder and community engagement 22/01/2018 11:33 AM
VOLUME 25 FISH, the industry magazine for the Fisheries NUMBER 2 Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), is FISHERIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NEWS JUNE 2017 now available for iPad. The new digital version of FISH
makes the entire printed magazine available free of BEHIND THE SCENES ON ATLANTIC SALMON charge including industry analysis, fisher interviews FISHERIES PERFORMANCE and research news. FISH AND CHIPS AWARDS
FISH magazine is available as an app. Please follow these steps: • Open Google Play or the App Store on your device • In the search function type: FRDC FISH Magazine. Shark mapping
Fish_1706_p01.indd 1 1/06/2017 1:29 PM PO Box 12542, Melbourne VIC 8006, Australia T +61 (0)3 9670 1168 [email protected]
CoreAdvert_42.indd 1 27/3/18 12:04 pm 44 www.atse.org.au APRIL 2018 | FOCUS WHAT’S ON
CONNECTING OZWATER’18 WOMEN LUNCH DATE: 8-10 May DATE: May 25 VENUE: Brisbane Convention VENUE: Sofitel Melbourne and Exhibition Centre on Collins, Grand Ballroom, 25 Collins OZWATER is an international Street, Melbourne water conference and trade exhibition, displaying the latest The Connecting Women Lunch in water industry, science, is the biggest celebration of innovation, technology, products women in biotechnology, and services. medical technology and the With local and international pharmaceutical industry. This professionals in the water sector year marks a decade since the sharing ideas on the future of event launched. water in Australia, the event Hosted by BioMelbourne attracts a diverse audience, from One of the stalls at ICRA 2017. Network, the Connecting Women decision- and policy-makers Lunch not only provides an to students, scientists and opportunity to celebrate and researchers. FUTURE OF MINING INTERNATIONAL illuminate the achievements As the only conference DATE: 14-15 May CONFERENCE ON of women in the healthcare in the southern hemisphere VENUE: SMC Conference and ROBOTICS AND innovation sector, but is also representing all aspects of Function Centre, Sydney AUTOMATION a platform to network and be the water sector, OzWater is a (ICRA) inspired. platform for exhibitors to not only Curated through the trusted DATE: 21-25 May This year, both men and promote their technologies, but and globally renowned VENUE: Brisbane Convention women are welcome to attend, also to demonstrate them in a safe editorial teams of Australian and Exhibition Centre and all are encouraged to register and accessible environment. Mining Monthly and Mining employees and colleagues who And appearing for the first Magazine, Future of Mining Launched in 1984 and held support women in the workplace time this year will be the ‘Drone will bring together top mining annually, ICRA is a highly – particularly at leadership levels. Zone‘ – a hands-on, netted professionals to debate, find anticipated international Susan Alberti AC, a trailblazer exhibition space designed to answers to and define the future forum for robotics researchers in women’s football, will be demonstrate the capabilities of mining landscape. to present their work. ICRA is a special guest. Ms Alberti is drones. The event will discuss the Institute of Electrical and the co-founder and Managing VISIT: strategic and operational matters Electronics Engineers‘ (IEEE) Director of a large building ozwater.org from the project level to the Robotics and Automation company, the Chair of her own boardroom, moving away from Society’s flagship conference, medical research foundation, the traditional conference model linking experts in the field. the Ambassador for the National to provide a transformational The five-day program will Women’s Football League, and a experience. include about 40 exhibitors, Western Bulldogs tragic. Cutting-edge trends will be plenaries, poster presentations, VISIT: showcased, as well as the latest interactive sessions and biomelbourne.org trends in mining innovation. workshops. You can also join one Attendees will include of their ‘technical tours‘. global mining and development The program will also feature companies, contractors and four robot competitions, running consultants, among others. inside the main exhibition and VISIT: poster hall, including: the DJI future-of-mining-sydney.com Robomaster AI Challenge, where teams build robots to compete in an arena; and the Mobile MicroRobotics Challenge, where micro-bots face-off in tests of autonomy, accuracy and assembly. VISIT: icra2018.org
www.atse.org.au 45 FOCUS | APRIL 2018 REVIEWS
What we’re reading
BY INOKA AMARASEKARA Inoka Amarasekara is an avid reader and science communicator. She coordinates STELR’s Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) project, profiling inspiring careers for secondary students.
Sunburnt Country, by Joëlle Gergis Sunburnt Country pieces together and climate have varied over the past leading the South-Eastern Australia’s climate history for the thousand years. Australian Recent Climate History first time, from at least one million Fascinating personal stories (SEARCH) project, reconstructing historical documents. detail the impacts of severe storms Australia’s climate from the arrival From a unique collage of climate and flooding, heat, droughts and of the First Fleet in 1788 to the science, Indigenous traditional bushfires on people’s lives and present. knowledge and old records – our environment, illustrating what We find out how human activities including early weather observations, climate change looks like in our own have altered patterns that have been diary entries, newspaper stories and familiar backyard. with us for millions of years and the government reports – Dr Gergis The award-winning climate urgent need to reshape our actions in uncovers how Australia’s weather scientist shares her insights from the face of climate change.
Convergence: The Idea at the Heart of Science, by Peter Watson In Convergence, Peter Watson asserts convinced, scientific theories align, science is at times questionable. that since the mid-1800s various enrich each other and unite. He also resorts to speculative scientific disciplines have been Unfortunately, despite a vast theories to round out his 500-plus gradually moving together to identify offering of cases – from physics linking page argument. one unified coherent story – a ‘Big with chemistry and mathematics, Nevertheless, the greatest gifts History‘ of the universe. Sketching quantum mechanics with molecular of this book are the biographical out the rise of modern science and biology, the roles of geology, details and anecdotes about science’s its developments, Watson draws economics, psychology and mythology most celebrated individuals and together a range of ideas and theories, in understanding the origins of achievements, as well as some often citing specific examples where, he is civilisation – Watson’s discussion of the forgotten.
Oceans: Science and Solutions for Australia, edited by Bruce Mapstone This book offers brief, encompassing and energy; and influence weather of Australia’s marine ecosystems. summaries exploring the and climate. The book condenses how opportunities and challenges of our It’s made clear that as we research contributes to the oceans. understand more about the sustainability of their use and Drawing on decades of CSIRO damaging effects of human activities management, offering a glimpse research, the book expounds the idea – including through climate change, of how new technologies influence that oceans represent tremendous fishing, resource extraction, shipping, marine research. resources culturally, socially and and recreation and tourism – Oceans is available for free economically; are repositories for informed integrated management download or for purchase in hard incredible biodiversity; provide food approaches are critical for the survival copy through CSIRO Publishing.
A Galaxy of Her Own: Amazing Stories of Women in Space, by Libby Jackson Delightfully illustrated and written with an engineer and physicist, and I highly recommend gifting (or a young audience in mind, A Galaxy manages the Human Spaceflight buying for yourself) this treasury of Her Own is a history of the space and Microgravity Programme for the of relatable, real-life stories about industry, told through the stories of UK Space Agency. She curated this women “who have followed their inspiring women from around the collection, taking readers from The passions, grabbed opportunities world who made it possible for humans Origins of Space Travel to the Future whenever they arose, stayed to explore the cosmos. of Space – a journey that is bound to motivated and always endeavoured The author, Libby Jackson, is launch imaginations into flight. to do their very best.”
46 www.atse.org.au Promoting Australia’s Advancement through Technology
The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE)
ATSE is made up of some of Australia’s leading It’s an open, transparent approach – one that thinkers in technology and engineering. One of government, industry and community leaders Australia’s four Learned Academies, it’s an eclectic can trust for technology-led solutions to national group, drawn from academia, government, industry and global challenges. Each year, the Australian and research, with a single objective in mind – to Government recognises the importance of the work apply technology in smart, strategic ways for our we do by awarding the Academy an establishment social, environmental and economic benefit. grant to help with: n To achieve that goal, ATSE has formed a variety Fostering research and scholarship in Australia’s of expert, independent forums for discussion and technological sciences and engineering; action – platforms to move debate and public n Providing and conducting administrative policy on issues concerning Australia’s future. support, workshops, forums and events to enable These focus on agriculture, education, energy, the Academy and its Fellows to contribute on health, infrastructure, innovation, mineral resources important national issues; and water – and increasingly on climate change nManaging the development and execution of our mitigation and ICT issues. ATSE is keenly aware of programs; and the international collaboration necessary to ensure nSupporting relationships with international that Australia is abreast of world trends. communities.
T +613 9864 0900 www.atse.org.au F +613 9864 0930 E [email protected] AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING
ATSE_HouseAd_1801.indd 2 31/1/18 10:42 am UP AND ATOM!
In this photo, ’Single atom in an ion trap’ by the University of Oxford’s David Nadlinger, a positively charged, glowing strontium atom can be seen with the naked eye as a pinprick-sized white dot, held in a near-motionless state by electric fields. It won first place in the UK’s Engineering and Physical Science Research Council’s 2018 science photography competition. FOR PERSPECTIVE, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO NEEDLE TIPS IS ABOUT TWO MILLIMETRES.