Uni unites energy experts
DEAKIN has become the first Australian university to take an institution-wide approach to energy research, with the establishment of Deakin Energy.
The Deakin Energy initiative brings together researchers from across the university in a collaborative network to address industry and government-identified issues and develop solutions for contemporary energy challenges.
“The research expertise at Deakin spans energy generation (gas, wind, solar and others), energy storage, engineering, distribution, energy demand management, cyber security and the economic policy and regulatory frameworks that affect energy systems,” said Deakin Energy director Dr Adrian Panow.
“Bringing this expertise together allows us to respond to opportunities that no single group could. Existing and new stakeholders are already acknowledging the benefits of this approach.”
Dr Panow has more than 20 years’ experience as a senior executive and adviser in the resources, agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy fields across government, private and research sectors, in- cluding as strategic adviser to a Silicon Valley-based solar company and director, Energy Investment and Programs, for the Victorian Government.
While with State Government, he led a team to advance private sector investment in electricity generation from natural gas, wind and solar, as well as energy efficiency programs.
His responsibilities ranged from the $100 million Victorian “Large Scale Solar Project” to small scale feed-in tariff programs and emerging energy technology.
In his role with Deakin Energy, Dr Panow will position Deakin as a preferred partner for industry and government in the delivery of innovative solutions to the sustainable energy supply challenges.
“Having to create and deliver industry policy, engage with communities and participate in renewable energy project delivery are skills that form a link between Deakin and our stakeholders,” Dr Panow said.
“I can also assist the research groups to engage with industry and government on the broader problems that require a diversity of knowledge. Our researchers are already working with local government to achieve sustainability objectives through energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
“Participating in community led initiatives, such as the Barwon Heads Sustainability Group’s Community Renew- able Energy Forum I attended recently, is a direct way of assisting community members, both individuals and small businesses, to understand and take control of their energy costs.”
Dr Panow has no doubt that the world’s future energy needs will be supplied by a mix of sustainable sources, and that universities will continue to play a central role.
“The energy issues facing society are global — and the economic opportunities are global. The solutions we develop at Deakin, in partnership with local businesses, could equally be applied in Asia, North America and beyond,” he said.
Dr Panow said that while there is still substantial debate on policy and directions, individual states are taking the initiative to drive change, with South Australia and Victoria both recently announcing renewable energy initiatives.