Faculty & Industry Dinner. From Solar to Nuclear: Diverse Voices Debate Australia’s Energy Path.
Report by Farnam Namvar, St Catherine’s College resident.
Guest speaker Stephen Oliver (left) with St Cat’s resident reporter Farnam Namvar (right)
“We must recognise First Nations people as rights holders with a seat at the table.”
Perth, WA - Leading voices from academia, industry and government gathered at St Catherine’s College, Crawley, on 14 August for the Faculty & Industry Dinner: The Future of Energy. Hosted within the University of Western Australia’s College Row, the evening brought together experts to explore the innovations, policies and challenges shaping Western Australia’s and Australia’s energy future.
The event’s purpose was clear: to connect research with industry and to encourage dialogue on how technology, policy and design can work together to create a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system. Over dinner, guests heard from a diverse panel of specialists spanning engineering, policy, mining, nuclear safety, stakeholder engagement and emerging technologies.
Renewable Energy Momentum
Professor Peta Ashworth OAM, Director of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition, opened with a call for a swift yet orderly move to renewables, emphasising the importance of respecting Indigenous rights and ensuring their inclusion in decision-making.
“A pellet of uranium the size of an M&M can produce the same energy as a ton of coal.”
Professor Peter Newman AO of Curtin University reinforced the urgency, noting that “we are already in the transition,” with solar and wind making up the majority of new global energy capacity last year. Western Australia, he said, is leading in integrating distributed energy resources through households and small businesses.
From an industry perspective, Whitney Williamson of Synergy highlighted the importance of aligning environmental outcomes with community benefits: “My vision is for an energy future that is good for our planet but also good for our communities, not just those who use the power, but those who host the infrastructure.”
Jessica Shaw, WA Program Director for the Superpower Institute, framed the transition as a nation-building opportunity, comparing it to Western Australia’s past leaps with the Northwest Shelf and iron ore.
Caution and Balance
Not all voices pressed for rapid change. Stuart Johnston, CEO of Hancock Energy, argued for a pragmatic mix of energy sources, calling for “a sensible, equitable shift in energy supply for ourselves and our trading partners, one that maintains living standards and is guided by facts, not ideology.”
David Rose, Director at KPMG Australia, cautioned against over-optimism: “There has never been an energy transition in history, only additions. Last year, the world consumed more coal, oil and gas than ever before.” He stressed the need to avoid unreliable, expensive energy that could undermine the economy while failing to cut global emissions.
Nuclear and New Technologies
Nuclear energy also featured prominently. Ashley Schneider, Chief Safety, Engineering and Assurance Officer at H&B Defence, highlighted its potential, noting that “a pellet of uranium the size of an M&M can produce the same energy as a ton of coal, with zero carbon emissions.” She emphasised modern safety standards and public reassurance.
“A sensible, equitable shift in energy supply… guided by facts, not ideology.”
Technical innovation was another recurring theme. James Walker, Project Manager for MoorPower at Carnegie Clean Energy, described his work on offshore wave energy systems, envisioning Australia as a global leader in clean energy technologies. Dr Jinqiang Zhang of UWA shared advances in solar-driven fuel production, while other speakers explored next-generation battery storage, particularly sodium-ion technology.
Professor Tyrone Fernando of UWA spoke on Project Symphony, stressing the importance of coordinating rooftop solar through virtual power plants to ensure grid stability. Bevan Cole, Principal Data Scientist at Western Power, underscored the need for long-term planning and system optimisation.
Atmosphere of Engagement
The atmosphere throughout the evening was warm, open and highly engaging. Students and guests alike asked questions and joined discussions with curiosity and respect. Laughter and informal exchanges blended seamlessly with serious debate, creating a space where technical expertise, policy insights and community perspectives could meet on equal footing.
Closing Reflections
As the evening drew to a close, Shaw reminded attendees of the importance of nuance in Australia’s energy debate: “The time for binary, extreme politics is past. Energy policy is too complex for black-and-white positions.”
The Faculty & Industry Dinner, in my opinion, succeeded in creating a space where divergent perspectives could be exchanged with respect and where shared challenges were met with a willingness to collaborate. The outcome was not a single vision of the future, but a richer understanding of the pathways ahead and a collective recognition that Western Australia’s role in the global energy transition will be defined by the partnerships it builds today.
About the Author
Farnam Namvar is a resident at St Catherine’s College with a keen interest in sustainability, technology and public policy.
Interested in joining a community where students connect with industry leaders and take part in events like the Faculty & Industry Dinner? Discover life at St Cat’s and explore how we prepare residents for the future.