Wednesday, 30 September 2009

This lecture is presented by The Energy and Minerals Initiative and the Institute of Advanced Studies at The University of Western Australia.
The Nuclear Renaissance is Real.
World attitude to the use of civil nuclear powered electricity generation is changing toward a majority being in favour.

This is manifested in countries like Finland where the new European convoy has commenced and Sweden, UK, USA and many others are dusting off energy policies, reversing past restrictions and now positively promoting the building of new nuclear capacity.

China and India are pushing forward with huge building programs. The cause for this re-awakening of the nuclear industry is not just climate change awareness.

Non-carbon externalities of fossil fuels, growing electrical demand, future cost uncertainties for fuels including any level of carbon impost, questions about the geosequestration of CO2 and energy independence are all impacting the debate.

Australia has three recognised electricity distribution grids: Eastern States (NEM), South West of WA (SWIS) and the Pilbara. Will the demand for growth in each of these grids be open to nuclear generation by the latter part of the 2020s?

The energy debate needs to start now. Past debates have been dominated by interpretations of technology but the way forward must include as much sociology as technology.

Dr Duncan believes Australia's first reactor will be delivering electricity into the NEM grid by 2026.

What is the role of tertiary educational institutions in this much needed energy debate?

About Dr Ian Duncan

Dr Ian J Duncan FTSE, former President of WMC (now BHP Billiton) Olympic Dam Operations for copper, uranium, gold and silver in South Australia, Chair of WA Division of ATSE and chairman of the London-based Uranium Institute (now World Nuclear Association) 1995-96.

Since retirement, Ian has completed a doctoral degree at Oxford University on the interface between society and the disposal of radioactive waste and now consults in this field. Ian has been awarded a Centenary Medal, Commonwealth of Australia, 2002, For Service to Australian Society in Technological Industries.

This lecture is presented by The Energy and Minerals Initiative and the Institute of Advanced Studies at the University of Western Australia.

The details of the lecture are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2009
Time: 6pm
Venue: Social Sciences Lecture Theatre

For further information please visit the website or contact Winthrop Professor Dongke Zhang, Centre for Petroleum, Fuels and Energy on 6488 8668 or email: [email protected] .

Media references

Magdalena Matuszczyk / [email protected] / 6488 4277

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Centre for Energy — ECM Faculty Focus