program

The program for the 2024 Hunter New Energy Symposium is outlined below. Speakers and topics are subject to change.

symposium day one

Wednesday, Feb 21, 2024

7:45AM

Arrival, Registration and Exhibition

8:15AM

Opening and Welcome to Country – CONCERT HALL

8:30AM - 11:15AM

SESSION 1: HUNTER NEW ENERGY – OUTLOOK AND ENABLERS
The Hunter New Energy Outlook + Policy and Investment Levers

Session Sponsor:

The Hunter New Energy Outlook

Welcome from the Session Chair: Alex Brennan, Chair of Hunter iF
Leveraging Opportunities in the New Energy Economy: Professor Alan Broadfoot, Executive Director, Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) at the University of Newcastle
The Hunter’s Place in the New Energy World: Tony Wood, Energy and Climate Change Program Director, Grattan Institute
Global Trends in Sustainability: Joseph Capurso, Head of International and Sustainable Economics, CBA

Policy and Investment Levers

Welcome from the Session Chair: Alice Thompson, CEO, Committee for the Hunter
The Net Zero Economy Agency: Josh Cosgrave, Assistant Secretary (A/g), Industry and Investment Branch
Perspectives from COP28 – Informing Policy Directions for the Hunter: Tim Stock, Director, Hydrogen and Clean Energy, NSW Government
The role of the Hunter in NSW’s energy transition: Andrew Kingsmill, Executive Director, Network Planning & Technical Advisory, EnergyCo, The Energy Corporation of NSW
The Future of Hydrogen and the Hunter as a Critical Enabler: Dr Fiona Simon, CEO, Australian Hydrogen Council

11:15AM - 11:45AM

Morning Tea and Exhibition

11:45AM – 1:30PM

SESSION 2: HUNTER NEW ENERGY – PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Projects Showcase – Hydrogen + A Platform for Partnership

CONCERT HALL

Session Sponsor:

Project Showcase – Hydrogen

Welcome from the Session Chair: Gary Foster, Hydrogen Economy Development, NSW Government
Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub – Partnerships for Success: Nick Faulkner, Delivery Manager Hydrogen Projects, Origin Energy
Transitioning Existing Assets to Future Energy Hubs – The Opportunity for the Hunter: Michelle Kiejda, Technical Director – Environment and Closure Planning, GHD
Hunter Energy Hub – An Integrated Model for Hydrogen and Energy Industries: Seth Pathiyil, Head of Hunter Energy Hub, AGL Macquarie
Hydrogen in Transport: Tran Quang Anh, Lead Hume Hydrogen Highways Program, NSW Government

A Platform for Partnership

Fireside Chat: Cluster Models for Industry Growth in the New Energy Economy
Clare Larkin-Sykes, NewH2 Co-Lead
Florence Lindhaus, Head of Hydrogen, Cluster Manager – Energy & Head of Melbourne Office, German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Brendan Gray, Manager, Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster

1:30PM – 2:20PM

Lunch and Exhibition

2:20PM – 3:45PM

SESSION 3: TACKLING THE HUNTER NEW ENERGY CHALLENGE with the following breakout sessions:

Investment Attraction – CONCERT HALL
Skills for the Future – BANQUET ROOM
Research and Development – HUNTER ROOM

Break Out Session 1: Investment and Attraction (Concert Hall)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Chrissy O’Brien, Senior Investment Manager, Clean Economy, Office of Regional Economic Development, Department of Regional NSW
Ingredients for Investment Attraction – It’s not just the money: Matthew Hingerty, Deputy Chair, Deputy CEO, Head of Business Development, Star Scientific
Crossing the ‘Valley’ – the Changing Nature of Investment Needs: Justin Bain, CEO, 3ME Technology
SEATA Clean Energy & Carbon Sequestration R&D Centre – Investment & Regulatory Hurdles for Innovation: Craig Bagnall, Director, Environment and Regulatory, SEATA
A University Spinout Perspective – The Challenge of Navigating Research Translation: Thomas Nann, Co-Founder & CEO, Allegro Energy Pty Ltd

Break Out Session 2: Skills for the Future (Banquet Room)

Welcome from the Session Chair – Getting a Handle on Workforce Needs and the Skills of the Future: Jason Herbohn, Director, Infrastructure, Energy and Construction, TAFE NSW
An Evolving Skills Landscape – how do we prioritise?: Kathy Cox, Training Services Manager, Training Services NSW
Finding and Growing the Workforce of the Future: Nick Couper, Chief Operating Officer, HunterNet Career Connections
Balancing Business Needs of the Future with Needs of Now: Grahame Irwin, Australian Government Employment Facilitator- Hunter and Surrounds, Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Overview of the University of Newcastle’s Innovative Upskills Offerings: Professor Dianne Wiley, Dean of Engineering, University of Newcastle
Leveraging Strong Foundations: Tapping into Legacy Skills to Grow the Future Workforce: Justin Page, Co-ordinator, Hunter Jobs Alliance

Break Out Session 3: Research and Development – Panel Discussion (Hunter Room):
Welcome and overview of NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub: Mark Lewis, Electrification and Energy Systems Network, NSW Decarb Hub

Electrification & Energy Systems Network – projects, funding and engagement opportunities for industry: Mark Lewis, Electrification and Energy Systems Network, NSW Decarb Hub

Powerfuels including Hydrogen Network – projects, funding and engagement opportunities for industry: Thomas Gao, Powerfuels including Hydrogen Network, NSW Decarb Hub

Industry Panel Discussion: Hear from an expert panel crossing industry, research, and government on how industry can leverage activity in the Hunter region to accelerate their research and development for the clean energy economy. Featuring:

Mark Lewis – Business Development Manager, Electrification and Energy Systems Network, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
Thomas Gao – Business Development Manager, Powerfuels including Hydrogen Network, NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub
Joss Kesby – Business Development Manager, Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise, University of Newcastle
Chris Bird – General Manager, ResTech
Dr Louise Brown, CEO and founder of HydGene Renewables

Session Sponsors:

3:45PM – 4:15PM

Afternoon Tea and Exhibition

4:15PM – 5:40PM

Breakout sessions continue:

Strengthening the Ecosystem – CONCERT HALL
Standards and Assurance – BANQUET ROOM
Enablers for Innovation – HUNTER ROOM

All three breakout sessions sponsored by:

Break Out Session 4: Strengthening the Ecosystem (Concert Hall)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Leigh Kennedy, General Manager – Industry and Supply Chain Development, Australian Hydrogen Council
Securing Clean Energy Technology Supply Chains: Justine Ulph, Manager, Strategic Research Initiatives, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation Division, University of Newcastle
Shared Perspectives from Southland New Zealand – Collaboration for Existence: Dean Addie, CEO, CRO, Director, T4 Group
Shared Perspectives from the Illawarra – Embracing the Transition: David Bridge, Board Member and Chair, i3net, CEO and Managing Director, BPS Pty Ltd and BPS Defence Pty Ltd
Grid Connection of Hydrogen Electrolysers: Paul Jones, Technical Consultant & Business Development Manager – P2G, SMA Australia

Break Out Session 5: Standards and Assurance (Banquet Room)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Mark Fung, Operations Manager, Solidus Inspection and Quality Management Services
An Update on Hydrogen Standards: George Sfinas, Engagement Manager, Standards Australia
The future of ASIC Climate Reporting Compliance: Suzie Leask, Partner – Corporate & Commercial and Newcastle Office Partner in Charge, Hall & Wilcox
The Role of Technology in Measuring Environmental and Social Impacts: Debbie O’Byrne, Co-Founder, Planet Price
The Foton Mobility Journey – Perspectives in New Transport Models and Vehicle Safety: Iain Dorward, Heavy Vehicle Sales Manager, Foton Mobility Distribution

Break Out Session 6: Enablers for Innovation (Hunter Room)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Alex Brennan, Business Manager, Hunter First and Partnerships; Chair of Hunter iF; Director at Hunter Angels
Yokogawa – Partnership Models to Accelerate Innovation Delivery: Daniel Watson, Automation Solutions Innovator, Yokogawa Australia and New Zealand
Galvanising Regional Capacity for the Future: Brett Thomas, Partner and COO, The Melt
Energy Innovation Toolkit: Lyndal Bubke, Director of the Regulatory Sandbox team, Australian Energy Regulator
Learn by Doing for Budding Entrepreneurs: Siobhan Curran, Director, Entrepreneurship, Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Industry & Engagement), Research & Innovation Division, University of Newcastle
AusBioEnergy: accessing NSW’s abundant biofuel resource: Simone O’Sullivan, Managing Director/Co-Founder
AusBioEnergy Pty Ltd

5:40PM - 5:55PM

Day 1 Close – CONCERT HALL

networking drinks

Sponsored by:

6:00PM

Networking Drinks commence – CUMMINGS ROOM

8:30PM

Close

symposium day two

Thursday, Feb 22, 2024

7:45AM

Arrival, Registration and Exhibition

8:20AM – 8:30AM

Welcome – CONCERT HALL

8:30AM – 10:40AM

SESSION 1: HUNTER NEW ENERGY – OUTLOOK AND ENABLERS
A Manufacturing Powerhouse + Transition Growth Levers

Session Sponsor:

A Manufacturing Powerhouse

Welcome from the Session Chair: Dr Mark Apthorpe, Electricity Infrastructure Jobs Advocate, NSW Government
Hunter Energy: A Clean Energy Future: Craig Carmody, CEO, Port of Newcastle
The Hunter Region: Energy Manufacturing Powerhouse: Rod Henderson, Managing Director and CEO, Ampcontrol
The Battery Renaissance is Now!: Brian Craighead, CEO, Energy Renaissance

Transition Growth Levers

Welcome from the Session Chair: Adam Clarke, A/Director Planning & Assessments, EnergyCo
Developing Renewables in the Hunter – Bowmans Creek Wind Farm: Martin Poole, Head of Development, Ark Energy
An Investors Focus Areas for Private Capital in Energy Transition: Blake Almond, Executive Director, Circ Partners

10:40AM – 11:10AM

Morning Tea and Exhibition

11:10AM – 1:20PM

SESSION 2: HUNTER NEW ENERGY – PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Projects Showcase – Offshore Wind + International Market Supply Chains Access + Leveraging International Gateways

CONCERT HALL

Session Sponsor:

Projects Showcase – Offshore Wind

Welcome from the Session Chair: Boris Novak, Co-Chair, NewH2
Scaling up offshore wind in practice – Equinor’s North Sea experience: Thomas Hansen, Senior Director, Offshore Wind, Australia, Equinor
The Star of the South Offshore Wind Journey: James Perry, Wind Turbine Generator Package Manager, Star of the South
Eastern Rise OWP: partnering to deliver regional benefits to the Hunter: Kate Lancaster, Stakeholder and Engagement Manager, BlueFloat Energy
Offshore Wind in the Hunter: Global Insights for Local Success: Kiseok Kim, Development Director – Offshore Wind, EDF Renewables Australia

International Market Supply Chains Access

Welcome from the Session Chair: Sheena Martin, Policy and Advocacy Strategist, Business Hunter
Perspectives from the EU – Hydrogen and New Energy: Franziska Teichmann, Senior Manager & Head of the German Secretariat for the Energy Cooperation with Australia and New Zealand
The Port as a Lever for Partnership: Lucas Coleman, Senior Manager Corporate Affairs, Port of Newcastle
Strategic Considerations of Embedding an Offshore Wind Industry into an Existing Port: Steve McCall, Director, EPS Energy

1:20PM – 2:10PM

Lunch

2:10PM – 3:35PM

SESSION 3: TACKLING THE HUNTER NEW ENERGY CHALLENGE with the following breakout sessions:

Community and Social Licence – CONCERT HALL
Decarbonising Hard to Abate Sectors – BANQUET ROOM
Fast Tracking Impact – HUNTER ROOM

Break Out Session 1: Community and Social Licence (Concert Hall)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Professor Roberta Ryan, Chair of Local Government and Director, Institute for Regional Futures at the University of Newcastle
Social licence to operate for renewable energy projects – a lawyer’s perspective: Brendan Tobin, Partner, Hall & Wilcox
The importance of community benefits sharing: an Orica case study: Nicole Masson, Community Relations Specialist, Orica
Why social licence is so 1990. How Mara operates differently: Kelly Lofberg JP, Managing Director, Mara Consulting

Break Out Session 2: Decarbonising Hard to Abate Sectors (Banquet Room)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Gill Goldsmith, Director, Net Zero Industry Innovation Program
Scenario Modelling to Optimise Energy Systems and Decarbonisation Pathways: Alex Dronoff, CEO, Fichtner Australia
Kooragang Island – Journey to Decarbonisation: Paul Hastie, Manufacturing Centre Manager Kooragang Island, Orica
Automation, Safety and Hydrogen Fuel Technologies: Rosanne Jessop, Managing Director, Pilz Australia & New Zealand
A Case Study in the journey to Decarbonising Heavy Transport: Craig McKenzie, Key Account Manager, mytransport

Break Out Session 3: Solving Recycling and Clean Energy Challenges with the Trailblazer Program – Panel Discussion (Hunter Room)

Welcome from the Session Chair: Lena Vestad Hansen – Business Development Manager, TRaCE
Emmanuel Mastio – Executive Director, TRaCE
Sam Kirk – Research Translation Project Manager, TRaCE
Gabriella Nunes – Research & Commercialisation Director, TRaCE
Pierre Gouhier – Deputy Director, Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources
Isabel Toasa – Head Of Research And Development, EM Energy