MEI Symposium 22
ABOUT
The Melbourne Energy Institute on 9 December 2022 hosted its end-of-year event, MEI Symposium 22.
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.
In 2022, the opening plenary keynote was presented by Mr Daniel Westerman, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
In a presentation on Paving the way to Australia’s net-zero future, Mr Westerman explored the changes needed for a smooth transition to a net-zero energy system in Australia, drawing unique insights from AEMO’s Quarterly Energy Dynamics reports. Renewables, firming technology, and the implications for transmission and grids were all considered.
MEI Symposium 22 featured prominent international and local keynote speakers, talented graduate students, and academic staff presenting their research within MEI’s four program areas: Energy Systems, Energy Materials, Power Generation and Transport, and Hydrogen and Clean Fuels.
Students went in the running to win a total of $8,000 in prizes — read about our student winners.
RECORDING & SLIDES
A recording is available for the plenary keynote only. Other sessions were not recorded.
PROGRAM
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Mr Daniel Westerman
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Energy Market Operator
Mr Daniel Westerman commenced as CEO and Managing Director of AEMO in May 2021. He oversees AEMO’s strategy and operations, including collaboration with market participants and policy makers.
Daniel is a chartered engineer and a business leader with significant experience in the energy sector. Under Daniel’s leadership AEMO is planning for Australia’s energy future while operating the system and markets of today in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Prior to joining AEMO, Daniel held a variety of senior executive roles with London-listed electricity and gas utility, National Grid Plc. Most recently he served as Chief Transformation Officer and President of Renewable Energy, where he led the company-wide transformation program, and grew a large-scale renewable energy business in the United States. In previous roles he has been responsible for engineering, planning and operational control of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain, as well as the development of distributed energy systems, such as rooftop solar, storage and energy metering.
Prior to joining National Grid Plc, he held positions with McKinsey & Company and Ford Australia.
Daniel holds degrees in Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Melbourne, and an MBA from Melbourne Business School. He is a Fellow of the Energy Institute and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors.
MEInetwork22
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.