MEI Symposium 23
ABOUT
The annual MEI Symposium showcases the multi-disciplinary energy research taking place across the University of Melbourne and beyond. It provides a space for collaboration, as well as an opportunity to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments.
At MEI Symposium 23, we were pleased to host Prof. Graham (Gus) Nathan, Research Director of the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition CRC (HILT CRC) and the University of Adelaide, as our keynote plenary speaker, alongside presenters from across the University of Melbourne and interstate.
In a keynote address on 'Prospective Pathways to Decarbonise Heavy Industry from Australian Ores', Professor Nathan explored how to accelerate the transition to net-zero for the difficult-to-abate sectors of iron/steel, alumina, and cement, considering both the path and the goal.
Our lineup of speakers also included:
- Dr Marzi Barghamadi, CSIRO Manufacturing, 'CSIRO Manufacturing activities along battery value chain'
- Prof David Hill, Monash University, 'Energy transition engineering science'
- A/Prof David Keith, University of Melbourne, 'Get outta my dreams, get into my car: Transitioning to sustainable mobility in a car-dependent world'
- A/Prof Kathryn Mumford, University of Melbourne, 'Direct air capture: a key technology to achieve net zero'
And many more individuals who are contributing to the dynamic field of energy research.
A total of $8,000 in prizes was available to be won as part of this year’s event, with four awards available each for Best Presentation and Best Poster.
View the full Symposium program
PLENARY RECORDING
PLENARY SPEAKER
Professor Graham (Gus) Nathan
Research Director of the Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition CRC (HILT CRC) and the University of Adelaide
Gus Nathan is a Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, the inaugural Energy Professional of the Year from the Australian Institute of Energy, SA, a Fellow of both the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and of the Combustion Institute, a recipient of a Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award from the Australian Research Council and an ATSE KH Sutherland medallist. He was the bid leader for, and is now the Research Director of, the national Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre, the HILT CRC. He has led the development of six technology platforms, three of which are in ongoing commercial use within high temperature processes such as iron pellets, cement and lime kilns and alumina calciners, while three are currently being upscaled to decarbonise heavy industry. He has worked closely with industry throughout his career and is the founding chair of the international High Temperature Minerals Processing (HiTeMP) Forum. He has published some 300 papers in international journals, 250 in peer reviewed conferences, 50 commissioned reports and 13 patents.
MEInetwork23
MEInetwork is an education and skills program developed by the Melbourne Energy Institute at the University of Melbourne. This annual program offers education activities focused on the energy sector, with an additional focus on professional development and engagement across sector and academic networks. These activities include the Energy Systems Seminar Series, the Energy Systems Short Course, the MEI Symposium, and other topical meetings and seminars.