MEI Symposium 2020

The Melbourne Energy Institute held its third annual Symposium as a virtual event on Friday 11 December 2020. The Symposium showcased research by the University of Melbourne’s graduate students, post-docs, academic staff, as well as leading international researchers.

Australia's outgoing Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO, delivered the Opening Plenary with his presentation on Pivoting to the future: the 2020 Low Emissions Technology Statement. In his presentation, Dr Finkel explored the various technologies aimed at reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, as outlined in the Statement. These priority technologies include clean hydrogen, batteries and pumped hydro storage, carbon capture and storage, measuring soil carbon, and low emissions steel and aluminium. He was then joined by MEI Director, Prof. Michael Brear, for a discussion on Australia’s next steps in pursuing a low-emissions future.

The pre-recorded Plenary was followed by 20 live presentations, including international speakers Professor Mark O’Malley from the University College Dublin, and Professor Rob Miller FRAeS from Cambridge University, and local experts Professor Eric May of Future Energy Exports, and Professor of Law Jacqueline Peel from the University of Melbourne.

The Symposium was divided across MEI’s four research programs, with prizes awarded to outstanding PhD or PostDoc presenters in each theme:

Energy Systems

Best Presentation 
Andrea Vecchi, PhD Candidate, University of Birmingham and The University of Melbourne
Title: Techno-economic modelling and assessment of the Fishermans Bend Smart Thermal Loop

Power Generation and Transport

Best Presentation
Dr. Tom Jelly, Research Fellow in Fluid Mechanics Mechanical Engineering
Title: High-fidelity investigation of surface roughness effects on heat transfer and drag in gas turbines

Hydrogen and Clean Fuels

Best Presentations (shared prize)
Dr. Farzad Poursadegh, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Mechanical Engineering
Title: An investigation of a directly injected, hydrogen fuelled, heavy duty engine at knock-limited conditions

Dr. Mohamed Abdellah, Research Fellow For Future Fuels Compatibility Chemical Engineering
Title: Compatibility of plastic pipes with future fuels

Environment and Resources

Best Presentation 
Changlong Wang, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne
Title: Australia's opportunity - synergies between hydrogen export and domestic energy transition in Australia