Invited Speakers
Prof Amela Ajaovic
Vienna University of Technology, Austria
Dr. Amela Ajanovic is Professor and Senior Research Scientist at Energy Economics Group at Vienna University of Technology. She holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a PhD in energy economics at Vienna University of Technology. She is responsible for research, teaching, project acquisition and scientific coordination in the area of energy economics with a focus on sustainable transport. Her main research interests are alternative fuels and alternative automotive technologies, energy and transport policies as well as transition to a sustainable energy system and long-term energy scenarios. She has been involved in several national and international research projects related to these topics. In 2006 she worked for International Energy Agency in Paris on World Energy Outlook, chapter on biofuels. In 2009 she was guest lecturer and researcher at the Technical University of Prague, and in 2010 guest researcher at Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands. She has authored more than 50 papers and journal articles. She is also a lecturer and faculty member of the MSc Program “Renewable Energy Systems”.
A Prof Alessandra Battisti
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Professor Battisti is an architect and currently Head of Environmental Design and Technology of Architecture at the Sapienza University of Rome, where she formerlywas Head of the Master’s programs in “Landscape Architecture” (from 2016 to 2019) and Head of the Master’s programs in “Architecture-Urban Regeneration” (2019) and serves as the Director of the level-2 Master’s program in “Valorisation and Enhancement of Small Historical Centres” (2013 to the present). She is on the Faculty Board and teaching staff of the Ph.D. program in Planning Design Technology of Architecture (since 2013). Since 1993 she has been engaged in research, teaching and experimentation on topics such as technological innovation for environmentally aware architecture, the ecological and energetic efficiency of buildings, the bioclimatic approach to design and urban regeneration. She has expertise, at the European level, in sustainable architecture, renewable energy in buildings and how these relate to the construction and regeneration of existing urban and architectural spaces.
An expert consultant for the European Community – DG XXII – on energy in the building sector and energy efficiency in Cultural Heritage. Member of the Work Group on Energy Efficiency of the Cultural Heritage of the Italian Ministry of Culture and Tourism (2015). Expert evaluator for MIUR and EU: Horizon and COST. Newton Price Evaluation Expert on behalf of the UK National Commission for UNESCO (since 2020). Expert member of the National Table "Policy for Architecture and Cities" of the General States of the Green Economy (2015-ongoing). Keynote speaker at G20 2021 session II “Strategies and actions for increased resilience of cultural heritage”. She has personally published more than 150 scientific publications and 14 books. Winner of more than 30 international architectural competitions. Over the years, she has taught as a visiting professor at the: Munich Polytechnic, École d’Architecture de Paris Val de Seine, l’UIC Universidad Internacional de la Cataluña, Universidad Federal de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, SUPSI University Lugano.
Adj Prof Garry Baverstock
Wise Earth PLC
For over 40 years Garry Baverstock has been designing, building, educating and researching in the field of Ecological Sustainable Design. Born in Perth, WA in 1949, educated at the Western Australia Institute of technology and later at Curtin University. Apart from studying and becoming an architect in 1972, he studied construction Engineering and completed an MSc in Applied
Physics in building studies in the early 1990s.
Winning eight WA Home of the Year Awards, two MBA Awards, numerous James Hardie innovation awards in the 1990’s, followed by numerous HIA GreenSmart Awards over the last two decades. He has two Awards of Merit and numerous Commendation Awards from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA). During his career he and his firm have numerous design competition successes in the housing as well as commercial design to become one of the important leaders in the field in Australia.
Garry has authored many national and international papers and publications including co-authorship of the design manual "Low Energy Buildings in Australia" in 1984. From 2003 onwards he has been involved as an Adjunct Professor in Energy Studies at Murdoch University.
In 2006 he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for his contribution to architecture and energy efficiency education. On the 27thNovember, 2007 he was awarded a Life Fellowship with the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) for his long-term commitment to the profession.
Prof Andrew Blakers
Austalian National University
Blakers is E2 Professor of Engineering at the Australian National University. He founded the solar PV research group at ANU. In the 1980s and 1990s he was responsible for the design and fabrication of silicon solar cells with world record efficiencies. He was co-inventor of the PERC silicon solar cell which has 70% of the global solar market, cumulative module sales of US$50 billion and is mitigating 0.5% of global Greenhouse gas emissions through displacement of coal. Prof Blakers engages in analysis of energy systems with 50-100% penetration by wind and photovoltaics with support from pumped hydro energy storage.
Professor Thomas Bräunl
University of Western Australia, Perth
Thomas Bräunl is Professor at The University of Western Australia, Perth, where he directs the Renewable Energy Vehicle Project (REV) as well as the Robotics&Automation Lab. He has converted several road-licensed cars to battery-electric drive and autonomous driving and operates one of Australia’s largest EV charging networks with 24 AC and DC charging stations.
He was Technical Director of the West Australian Electric Vehicle Trial and Principal Investigator of the ARC Electric Vehicle Fast-Recharging Project. He has worked on Autonomous Driving Systems with Daimler/Mercedes-Benz and on Electric Vehicle Systems with BMW.
Mr Deepak Gadhia
Gadhia Solar Energy Systems Ltd
Mr Deepak Gadhia is a leading technocrat and a pioneer in the field of Solar and Renewable Energy as well as Bio Gasification, and has earned international recognition for his accomplishments over the last 40 years. He started his career with Wacker Chemie GMBH in Germany but moved to India where he developed a number of world-renowned renewable energy projects. Among his accomplishments are: Instrumental for the development of the first solar steam cooking system in India; Installed the worlds’ largest steam cooking system, producing upto 50,000 meals per day; Installed the highest altitude steam cooking system in Ladakh, producing 500 meals per day in -40°C temperature conditions for the Indian Army; Installed the largest solar powered air-conditioning system (100 ton system) for the Kailash Cancer Hospital, in Goraj India; Developed a 600m3 and 1000m3 BioGas system generating Compressed Natural Gas (CNG); Recognised by the Clinton Global Initiative Foundation for outstanding work in the areas of renewable energy.
Prof H P Garg
Adjunct Professor, Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), New Delhi, India
Prof. H. P. Garg has been the pioneer in renewable energy research and education in India and achieved national and international recognition for his outstanding contributions to the development and design of solar energy technology applications. He was the first person in India to write his doctoral dissertation in the area of solar energy and is known as Father of Solar Energy in India and pioneer in renewable energy in the world.
Prof. H. P. Garg has been working in the field of Renewable Energy Education, Solar Energy and Renewable Energy Research & Development for the last more than 54 years and have published more than 520 research papers, published 18 books, guided 30 PhD students, conducted large number of National and International conferences/workshops/training programs at different levels and written several technical reports as well handled several consultancy and sponsored research projects during the above period. Prof. Garg was also holding UNESCO chair professorship and IREDA chair professorship in the field of Renewable Energy Education and Training. Prof. Garg had also gone on deputation from IIT Delhi to Madhya Pradesh Government, as Principal Secretary in the Department of Science and Technology and Director General for a period of 3 years.
After superannuation from IIT Delhi, He has served as IREDA Chair Professorship at IIT Delhi, and later as Vice-Chairman in B L S Group of Institutions followed by Sr Consultant at National Institute of Solar Energy. Presently, he is working as Director General at Trinity and Kamal Group of Institutions, New Delhi and adjunct Professor, Netaji Subhash University of Technology (NSUT), New Delhi.
Dr Jemma Green
Chairman & Cofounder of Power Ledger
After completing a business degree majoring in finance at Murdoch University, Perth, Jemma joined J.P. Morgan in London. One of the biggest challenges at the time was the explosion in exotic and hybrid equity derivatives which was bringing in $700 million profit annually for the bank. This scalability challenge demanded an automated systems response, and Jemma oversaw a large software development project to achieve this. Developing, delivering and implementing the project with a 25 strong team across different time zones became a norm and a decade, the system is essentially the same and still performing.
Looking for a fresh challenge, Jemma got involved with setting up the new Global Environmental Risk function at JPMorgan. This was something that investors were increasingly demanding and the new function launched in 2007.
During that time she also completed two post grad diplomas in sustainability with a Masters at Cambridge University. She returned to Perth in 2013 to do a PhD in electricity market disruption at Curtin University. This PhD was in effect an embryonic Power Ledger project, and she and her co-founders set up the new venture on a commercial footing. Since then, Jemma has overseen the development of numerous software projects that integrate blockchain technology with transactive and market layers.Clients have included Ekwateur in France, M-RETS in the USA, 12MW Thailand TDED.
Mr Mike Houlahan
CFO Horizon Power, Perth
Mike is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Horizon Power’s Chief Financial Officer. He leads the Finance and Corporate Services division, holding responsibility for finance, corporate strategy, environmental sustainability, procurement and supply chain portfolios.
With over decade of experience in the electricity industry in executive and senior leadership roles, Mike is leading the development and realisation of new business futures at Horizon Power. Under Mike’s leadership, the teams are embracing the growing involvement of customers in a distributed energy system which include not only solar and traditional energy storage, but electric vehicles and their infrastructure. Mike also leads Horizon Power’s Sustainability team, developing Horizon Power’s approach to Climate Change and roadmap, focusing not only on emissions reduction and climate resilience, but also community resilience.
Mike is also a director of Boundary Power, Horizon Power’s joint venture with Ampcontrol, focused on the manufacture and sale of the next generation in standalone power systems that are modular, plug and play systems, able to be installed and producing power on site within 1 – 2 hours.
Professor Manuel Correia Guedes
Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal
Manuel is the Associate Professor with Habilitation at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Lisbon and is currently Director of Architecture at IST. Manuel specialises in Sustainable Architecture and is responsible for this field of research at the IST including the disciplines of Environmental Design and Sustainable Architecture at Masters and Ph.D levels. Manuel has participated in 17 international research projects in the area since 2000, and coordinated 8 of these - namely E.U. cooperation projects with Africa and Asia. The focus of his research is the study of Bioclimatic and Low-Energy Design strategies for Building and Urban Renewal – from conventional refurbishment to Slum Regeneration. He has edited and authored 18 books in this field of studies, 22 peer-reviewed papers, and over 80 papers in high-profile international conferences in the area. Ongoing projects focus on high-resistance structures to lodge Portuguese researchers in the Antarctic, and on low-cost Slum Regeneration’ design solutions for cities in Africa and India.
Ms Shahana McKenzie
Bioenergy Australia, Canberra
Shahana McKenzie joined Bioenergy Australia in August 2017. She has a strong track record of driving public, government and consumer campaigns for the non-profit sector over the last 20 years. She is committed to driving growth in the Bioenergy sector and advocating for Bioenergy as a key renewable energy solution for the future.
Since joining Bioenergy Australia, Shahana has led the renewal of the organization and successfully delivered a merger with the Biofuels Association of Australia, resulting in a joining of forces to drive Industry growth for the sector. Under her leadership the organisation has increased membership by 400%, successfully advocated for the development of a Commonwealth Bioenergy Roadmap and has created a number of highly active alliances driving growth for the industry.
Shahana has the responsibility for leading Bioenergy Australia’s contribution on matters such as climate science, jobs creation, regional development, and energy supply, to ensure national benefits for the next decade and beyond. An immediate priority for Bioenergy Australia is to ensure bioenergy features prominently in considerations at all levels of government as they plan and implement energy strategies and policies.
Shahana has a reputation for building strong collaborative relationships within industry and government. She previously sat on the ASBEC Cities and Infrastructure taskforces, was a co-convener of the Living Cities Alliance, a member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Better Cities, and was invited to sit on the Federal Government’s Cities Reference Group Chaired by the Minister for Cities, Angus Taylor.
Shahana has been appointed as:
- International Energy Agency Bioenergy, Australian Exco Committee Member
- Member of the Commonwealth Fuel Standards Consultative Committee
- Member of the NSW Forest Industries Taskforce R&D Advisory Group
- Member of the ACCC Fuel Consultative Committee
- Member of the NSW Government Biofuels Expert Panel
- Member of the QLD Bio futures Industry Advisory Group
- Member of the QLD Ministerial Fuel Council
Dr Shyam S Nandwani
Dr. Nandwani did his Doctorate in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee, India, on Mossbauer Spectroscopy in Nov. 1973, then One year Post Doctorate in Trieste, Italy.
In 1976 he started working as a researcher and promoter of Solar Energy, mainly in Thermal Applications, firstly at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India and then from July 1978 at the National University in Costa Rica. He retired in Feb. 2013 and presently passing time as an independent promoter, consultant and user of Solar Energy from his home in Costa Rica.
Has published close to 130 articles on different aspects of solar energy including on Photovoltaic applications, in technical journals and in Congresses held in Costa Rica and in 42 other countries. Written a book on Solar Oven and in 1984, got a patent on Solar Cooker/Oven in Costa Rica, first in all Universities in Costa Rica. In 1994 co-organized World Congress on Solar Cooking in Costa Rica, attended 150 participants from 30 countries.
As a promotor he has given more than 290 technical/popular talks in seminars, Educational Centers, Communities, published 375 informative articles/news in newspapers/Internet and popular magazines in Costa Rica and other countries, and gave 97 programs on Radio and TV. He was founder and President of Costa Rican Solar Energy Association (ACES) in 1987. He has won about 26 National and International awards/recognitions.
At present he is honorary member of new Costa Rican Solar Energy Association (ACESOLAR), Honorary Ambassador of the Energy Globe Foundation (Austria) for Costa Rica, member of World Renewable Energy Network (England), International Solar Energy Society (Germany), and Solar Cookers International (USA).
Chris Oughton
Kwinana Industries Council, Western Australia
With a background in local government and private sector senior management roles, Chris took up the role of Director (CEO) of the Kwinana Industries Council (KIC) in 2007. KIC is the peak industry association drawing its membership from within the State’s Premier Industrial Area, referred to as the Western Trade Coast (WTC). KIC serves its members by taking up issues that are in their collective interest.
Industry in the WTC is responsible for the direct and indirect employment of around 30,000 workers and contributes around $16Bn into the WA economy annually. The KIA is regarded as world’s best practice in the area of industrial symbiosis, with over 150 inter-company exchanges. Resolving industry infrastructure constraints, decarbonisation of the industrial area, pursuit of the new container port in Kwinana, and pressing for the establishment of Kwinana’s ‘Lithium Valley’ on the world stage are some of Chris’ areas of focus for the new decade.
Dr Brad Pettitt
MLC Member for the South Metropolitan Region Greens (WA)
Dr Brad Pettitt was elected as the Mayor of the City of Fremantle in 2009. He was re-elected in 2013 and 2017. Until taking up the role of Mayor, Brad was the Dean of the School of Sustainability at Murdoch University. His research and teaching expertise include climate change, international aid policy, and sustainability planning. Brad has previously worked with Oxfam in Cambodia and with the Australian Government Aid Program, AusAID, in Canberra. Brad also serves on the Heritage Council of WA and the board of Westcyle, WA’s peak body for cycling.
Prof Wasim Saman
University of South Australia
Wasim Saman is Emeritus Professor of sustainable energy engineering, University of South Australia. His career has focussed on sustainable energy education and industry targeted research since the 1980s. He has published over 300 technical articles and supervised 35 post graduate research candidates. His research has focussed on solar thermal generation and storage and sustainable use of energy in buildings.
He has been leading industry-focussed research teams developing thermal storage materials and systems for buildings, solar thermal applications, low energy air conditioning systems and developing smart demand management technologies. He has been a founding research leader for the CRC for Low Carbon Living and led a number of research projects as well as establishing and leading the SA Research Node for Low Carbon Living until July 2018. He has been leading industry focussed research into low energy housing which involved the establishment and performance monitoring of the Lochiel Park Green Village, Australia’s most environmentally sustainable housing development. He is Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy, Fellow of the Australian Institute for Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating. He received the Pioneer Award from the World Renewable Energy Network in 2012. He is currently working with industry on commercialising solar water heating and energy storage systems.
Dr Nugroho Adi Sasongko
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia
Nugroho is currently the Director of Research Centre for Sustainable Production Systems and Life Cycle Assessment at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia. He is Senior Lecturer of Energy Security Graduate Program, Republic of Indonesia Defence University (UNHAN RI): Director of PPI Learning Centre at the National Board of the Indonesian Research Association; Assessor IABEE Washington Accord International Accreditation for the Engineering Study Program; Assessor LAM TEKNIK BAN PT National Accreditation for Engineering Study Program in Indonesia; and Professional Consultant for Energy Management, Energy Audit, Life Cycle Assessment, Carbon Footprint and Ecolabel.
Mr Simon Schrapel AM
CEO Uniting Communities
Simon has enjoyed a 35+ year career of working in the Social and Community Services in Australia and abroad in a range of policy, planning and management positions. He is currently Chief Executive of Uniting Communities, a community service agency committed to social justice and the delivery of a broad range of social and health services to over 80,000 South Australians each year from community and residential aged care to child and youth programs, mental health services and homelessness. Uniting Communities became Australia’s first charity to be certified carbon neutral in 2015 and the organization recently launched its commitment to Carbon Zero by 2035. Simon has undertaken a number of key leadership positions including as past President of ACOSS and SACOSS and is currently Chair of Foodbank SA and Chair of Families Australia. He is also a member of the Premier’s Council on Suicide Prevention and University of South Australia’s Research Node – Low Carbon Living Strategic Management Committee as well as serving on various other past national advisory bodies including the Prime Ministers Economic Reform Panel, National Compact Advisory Committee and Expert Advisory Committee on Gambling.
Simon was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia in 2017 for his services to children and family services and the community sector.
Iggy Tan
Managing Director, Altech Chemicals Limited
Mr Tan is a highly experienced mining and chemical executive with a number of significant achievements in commercial mining projects such as capital raisings, funding, construction, start-ups and operations.
Mr Tan is an accomplished project builder and developer. He has been an executive director of a number of ASX-listed companies.
A Professor Sven Teske
UTS, Sydney
Dr Sven Teske is an Associate Professor and Research Director at the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney with a research focus on energy decarbonisation pathways for specific industry sectors and regions towards Net-Zero by 2050. 100% renewable energy concepts required to achieve the Paris Climate Agreement for countries, regions, cities, microgrids for islands and the development of National Determined Contribution (NDC) reports. This includes technical analysis of power grids regarding integration of solar electricity, onshore and offshore wind power generation and electricity and heat storage systems. Furthermore, Dr Teske has over 28 years’ experience in renewable energy market and policy analysis. as well as solar and on- and offshore wind power grid integration concepts in public grids.
During the Climate Conference in November 2021 in Glasgow (COP26), Teske published the remaining global carbon budget for 12 main industries to limit global mean temperature rise to +1.5°C - the first analysis of this kind globally. Furthermore, during 2021 Dr. Teske published 'Offshore Wind: Prospects for Australia' - an analysis of Australia's offshore wind project and 'Planning, Policy and Integration for Sustainable Development of Offshore Wind Energy in Vietnam 2022–2030'. He has published over 50 special reports about renewable energies including 100% Renewable Energy for Nepal (2022), Switzerland (2021), Czech Republic (2021), Italy (2020), Bangladesh (2019), Costa Rica (2019), Tanzania" (2017), the REN21 'Global Futures Report' (2017) and the 'Global Wind Energy Outlook' (2016). Furthermore, Dr Teske published over 50 special reports about renewable energies including 100% Renewable Energy for Nepal (2022), Switzerland (2021), Czech Republic (2021), Italy (2020), Bangladesh (2019), Costa Rica (2019), Tanzania" (2017), the REN21 'Global Futures Report' (2017) and the 'Global Wind Energy Outlook' (2016). He was a lead author for the IPCC Special Report Renewables (Chapter 10: Scenario analysis), published in 2011. He was a member of the expert review committee for the IEA World Energy Outlook in 2010 and 2011 and is a member of the advisory panel of the Japanese Renewable Energy Foundation. Among his areas of expertise are decentralized energy and renewable energy system analysis, modelling, electrification concepts for least developed countries, and 100% renewable energy pathways for CVF countries. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Flensburg in Germany.
Associate Professor Tania Urmee
Murdoch University
As Associate Professor at Murdoch University Tania has expertise in Sustainable energy planning and framework development, energy modelling, and energy policy. Tania is also involved in developing the energy planning for ASEAN and the Pacific countries to address the Sustainable Development Goals and was one of the pioneers in disseminating solar home systems using micro-finance in Bangladesh. She wrote a book on the holistic approach of rural electrification using Solar Energy and is currently leading the Perth and Peel Hydrogen Technology Cluster and researching the use of biopower to produce hydrogen.
Tania’s current research interests include integrating renewable energy generation into the electrical power network and optimizing storage, micro-grid, sustainable development goals and its link to energy and energy efficiency and sustainable cooling solutions in buildings and industry. She has authored over 70 journals and conference papers, two books, and several book chapters.
Prof Stuart White
University of Technology, Sydney
Professor Stuart White is Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney where he leads a team of 60 researchers who create change towards sustainable futures through independent, project-based research. Stuart has extensive experience in energy and infrastructure, his original research was in solar thermal energy. He is a Board member of the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity and of Climate-KIC Australia.
Abstract
100% Renewable Energy Strategies: Grid integration and the role of decentralised energy
The transition to a sustainable energy future, which is absolutely critical to maintaining global warming at 1.5°C, depends on our ability to rapidly ramp up renewable energy sources and eliminate fossil fuel use as well as other initiatives across land use and agriculture. In terms of the energy sector, a strategy that is rapid enough to make the difference will require significant implementation of decentralised energy strategies which operate in the electricity sector at the distribution level. This includes most importantly energy efficiency as the lowest cost, most readily available means of reducing energy consumption as well as the widespread use of demand side response as the lowest cost means of meeting peak demand and network constraints. In addition, distributed generation has a key role to play because it reduces the cost of distribution and transmission which in the Australian context makes up roughly half of power bills. This presentation will focus on the work of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology, Sydney including global 100% renewable energy strategies as well as grid integration of renewables and the importance of decentralised energy.
Michael Williamson
UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
Michael Williamson is Section Chief in the Energy Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Michael works on regional cooperation for sustainable energy across ESCAP’s 53 member countries, spanning intergovernmental dialogue, technical assistance and research. Prior to this, Michael was the acting Director of ESCAP’s Subregional Office for South and South West Asia overseeing 10 countries of South and South West Asia. He was previously Chief of Staff and Senior Adviser to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP. He began his UN career in 2013 as the Head of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology, ESCAP’s regional institution based in India.
Michael’s experience over the last 20 years covers the private sector, government and international organisations with a focus on sustainable development, energy, technology and climate change. He worked for Australian governments at state and federal level in climate change, sustainability and energy policy and in humanitarian assignments with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Michael holds a Master of Science in Renewable Energy Technology from Loughborough University, UK, an honours degree in Civil Engineering from Monash University, Australia and a post graduate diploma in management from the Australian Institute of Management. He is a graduate of the UN leadership course at the United Nations Staff College.
Ms Colleen Yates
CEO Regional Development Australia, Perth
Colleen is an accomplished leader who motivates others to achieve what they previously thought to be unachievable. Her leadership style is inclusive, and she possesses stellar strategic thinking ability and down to earth communication skills with the capacity to deliver on outcomes. She is a firm believer that change is exciting when you successfully ‘sell’ the vision of the new future and gain buy-in of all affected stakeholders. She has worked and volunteered for the past 35 years in several multi-faceted, composite, and challenging roles within the private, government and not-for-profit sectors delivering outstanding cutting-edge outcomes. She has been the CEO with Regional Development Australia Perth since 2013, having delivered several initiatives to drive new business investment and job growth for the Perth region. These include Driving Change: Perth and Peel an Economic Development Strategy and Infrastructure Priorities Plan for Perth and Peel (2016); Security and Defence in Western Australia: An Economic Perspective (2017); Building the Case for Energy Metals and Battery Manufacturing in WA (2018); Establishing the Perth DroneHub (2019). Enabling the Western Trade Coast: Creating WA’s World Class Industrial Destination A Perspective from Industry (2020); and Perth Hills Strategic Visioning (2020). She holds an MBA from the University of Western Australia and is on the board of a number of organisations.
Associate Prof Ahmad Zahedi
James Cook University, Queensland
Dr Ahmad Zahedi is an Associate Professor with James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. Educated in Iran and Germany, Ahmad has over 30-year experience in teaching Renewable Energy and Power Engineering at University levels in Australia, Japan, and Europe, published more than 200 papers including 4 books, trained 21 successfully completed PhD candidates, and completed 15 industry funded projects.
Gloria Zhang
International Business Advisor, Perth, Singapore & Beijing
Prof Chem Nayar
Emeritus Professor, Curtin University, Perth
Sadly Chem Nayar died on 4th October, 2021 and will be dearly missed by many and our condolences go out to his family and friends. Chem’s absence and contribution at the conference will be significant and his obituary can be found at www.regenpower.com/press-release/the-western-australian-obituaries-10-04-21/.
Professor Nayar was an Emeritus Professor at Curtin University. Prior to joining the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Curtin University of Technology, in 1986, he held academic and industry appointments in India, Singapore and Australia. Professor Nayar, Adjunct Professor at University of Tasmania and was the Founder and CEO of Regen Power Pty Ltd. He has over 200 research papers and 8 inventions to his name, also the intellectual capital for his company. His academic peers chose to honour his lifetime achievements at the Australian Universities Power Engineering Conference in 2012. Australian Financial Review listed Regen Power in 2020 as one of the fastest growing companies in Australia and the Financial Times ranked in the Top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in the High – Growth Companies Asia-pacific 2020 and 2021. Professor Nayar has dedicated almost four decades to advancing the clean energy industry. He has pioneered research and practical applications of renewable energy technologies with a particular focus on remote communities and islands. He has successfully secured over $9 million in research and project grants. His significant contributions has been recognized with multiple industry awards and nomination for the 2021 Australian of the Year Award.