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Monday, 21 December 2009

Inspired by the challenges associated with providing energy now and for future generations, the UWA Centre for Energy has been established within the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.

Winthrop Professor Dongke Zhang, the foundation Director of the Centre, said the naming of the Centre had been chosen to reflect the current importance of petroleum, natural gas and coal as the dominant primary energy sources through the rapidly growing oil and gas industry in WA and the strong coal industry in Australia, and the potential change in energy balance.

The Centre will conduct world-class scientific research and technological development and provide consulting services in natural gas, petroleum, coal and biomass, geothermal energy and energy efficiency, marine and subsea and future energy.

"The Centre is a great example of collaboration between UWA and industry which will significantly contribute to the sustainable future of Western Australia," Professor Zhang said.

Professor Zhang has in the past ten years attracted more than $16 million in research funding from industry sources as well as Australian Research Council (ARC) funding.

The Centre will focus on building the level of industry collaborative research between UWA and the energy sector.  It will broaden the activity of addressing future energy needs, including sustainability and environmental considerations.  This will allow the Centre to strengthen significantly UWA's reputation within the energy and resources industry.

"The UWA Centre for Energy endeavours to become an internationally reputable research facility in fuels, energy and sustainable development.  The Centre's overall aim is to develop new knowledge and advanced technologies for efficient, effective and environmentally friendly utilisation of fuels and energy in the resources industries," Professor Zhang said.

Collaborating organisations include Chevron, Woodside Energy, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Fuel Technology Pty Ltd, Griffin Coal Mining Company, Wesfarmers Premier Coal, ANSAC, ENN Group and Synfuels China.

The formation of the Centre will enable a broad range of staff to teach industrially relevant units through postgraduate coursework programs.  An additional aspect of the teaching-research nexus will give UWA students and staff exposure to a greater number of industry lecturers with the potential to engage in collaborative research projects with industry.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Dongke Zhang (+61 8)  6488 8668
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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