Symposium on Electrical Energy Evolution in China and Australia

The inaugural Symposium fostered new technology and system solutions and saw to their implementation by focussing on these key objectives:

• Encourage science at the interface between energy networks, markets, and information and communication technologies.
• Identify key barriers in China and Australia to the creation of smart and clean electricity grids with high levels of distributed generation and demand management.
• Focus on common technical solutions to overcome them.
• Formulate an action plan for technology development, transfer, and adoption in China and Australia.
• Establish a Working Group to refine and promote the action plan and oversee its implementation through networks of influence.
• Achieve high-level media coverage and government visibility of the key issues.

This event begins an international series of Symposia to maintain evolutionary pressure for positive change in our electrical energy industries.

Background

Australia has the second-highest level of carbon emissions per capita of all OECD nations, and China has the highest growth rate of emissions. Australia and China rely on coal-fired generation to meet most of their electrical energy needs so both nations are faced with a similar array of opportunities to help them to cut emissions. Strong economic ties and significant research programs in sustainable energy suggest that high-value cooperative solutions can be discovered and pursued.

We wish to encourage the development of new technology for intelligent, low-emission electricity grids featuring significant embedded generation to help meet varied demand-side requirements. Simultaneously, we wish to foster relationships and programs that will favour rapid adoption of new ideas, leading to a reduced carbon footprint for both countries and significant global climate benefits. A focussed Symposium for technical and industry leaders, with appropriate media and government engagement, will enable and motivate change towards efficient and environmentally sustainable provision of electrical energy.