The seminar consisted of a panel of representatives from various stakeholder organisations in the energy industry, each delivering their interpretation of the likely effects of the Carbon Tax on their respective methods of energy generation.
This was followed by an open Question and Answer session with the attendees, with the late Robert Jones acting as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.
The seminar took place on October 15, 2012 at the Kaleide Theatre at the City Campus of RMIT University in the Melbourne CBD.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Dr. Robert Jones, an IET Member with many years of engineering experience and an interest in efficient energy and transport. Robert spoke about how engineers need to influence and liaise with government and media, that research since 2003 indicated that carbon dioxide levels follows temperature (and not vice-versa) , and the lack of current published figures for costs of alternative energy generation.
Nigel Fine (Chief Executive and Secretary, IET) opened the evening, addressing the IET members in attendance and highlighting the fact that the engineering and technology industry was well placed to help create solutions to many big projects (such as the 2012 London Olympic Games) , and that the IET represents a link between the public and the global engineering community.
After Nigel's address, refreshments were served in the foyer where conversations began in anticipation of the Carbon Tax Seminar panel.
The goal of the seminar was to discuss and debate the Future of Energy in Australia, hearing from experts in energy generation and consumption about whether the carbon tax will help Australia invest in alternatives to carbon-based fuels and whether current fuels could be more efficiently managed.
Charles Popple (Group General Manager, Networks Strategy and Development, SP AusNet) spoke about the electric and gas transmission network for Victoria, and that decline in energy demand may be due to the Carbon Tax.
Paul Williams (Executive, Energies and Utilities, Parsons Brinckerhoff) spoke about how the Carbon Tax affects the mining industry (eg: operational costs and capital projects such as BHP’s Olympic Dam) ; ‘easy mining’ is almost gone and we have to dig deeper to keep mines alive. Decisions need to be made about Victorian brown coal (export or burn it?) and carbon capture and storage (do we need it?) .
Ian Hore-Lacy (Director for Information, World Nuclear Association) spoke to the benefits of nuclear power - there are no Carbon Dioxide emissions, it provides security of supply and has a potential supply of 30–40 TWh per annum.
This would allow an increase in base demand by approximately 35%, which could meet the demands for electric transportation.
William Kininmonth (Principal Consultant, Australasian Climate Research) gave an overview of the history of climate analysis since 1820. Research since 2005 casts doubts on models adopted by the IPCC and suggests that clouds and oceans have a greater effect on carbon dioxide levels than first thought ; oceans form part of the inertial mechanisms of the climate system.
However, this research is relatively recent, and caution must be taken in the interpretation of such climate mechanisms.
Russell Marsh (Policy Director, Clean Energy Council) spoke about the investment of $10m to be made available as grants over the next five years for investment in hydro, wind and solar plants, under the control of a central Board.
Tom Keddie (Developmental Manager, Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd) was a last minute replacement for Lane Crockett (General Manager, Australia, Pacific Hydro Pty Ltd) and spoke about renewable energy projects in Chile and Brazil, highlighting situtations that demonstrate that overlapping policies increases costs.
