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REGA Forum, 3-4 April 2007

REGA Forum 2007

The 8th Annual Forum of the Renewable Energy Generators of Australia was held at Aitken Hill, near Melbourne on April 3 & 4.

The Forum presented a range of high calibre international and national speakers including prominent thinkers, government and industry leaders. The forum focused on key policy developments and examined both current and emerging policy initiatives and the need for new policy developments to ensure renewable energy plays its role in transitioning the economy to a low carbon intensive future. 

DAY 1 – Tuesday April 3rd

Strategic Importance of Renewable Energy to Economic and Environmental Outcomes

Opening Address: The Hon Peter Batchelor, Minister for Energy and Communities

Strategic Investments in Zero Emissions Infrastructure - Tim Nelson, Manager Carbon & Renewable Energy Strategy, AGL

Australian Leadership In Emerging Technologies

Session Chair: Tim Nelson, AGL

Keynote Address: Overview of Technology Innovation in Australia -  Dr John Wright, Director Energy Transformed Flagship, CSIRO

Global Opportunities for Australia's Large Scale Solar Industry - Dave Holland, Managing Director, Solar Systems

Solar Thermal Power, the Macquarie Generation Experience - Colin Duck, Operations Manager, Liddell Power Station

Geothermal Energy: Powering Australia and the world

Session Chair: Adrian Williams, CEO, Geodynamics

Australian Government Geothermal Industry Development Initiative - Drew Clarke, Head Energy & Environment, Department of Industry Tourism & Resources (DITR)

The Geothermal Resource in the US - Professor Jefferson Tester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (via audiolink)

The value of a Geothermal Industry to Australia - Kerry Barwise, Director, Centre for International Economics

IEA Geothermal Task - Barry Goldstein, Director, Minerals & Energy Resources Division, Primary Industries & Resources, SA

Overcoming the Transmission Challenges- Terry Kallis, CEO, Petratherm

The need for an industry guideline for geothermal reserves determination - Jim Lawless, Board Member, International & NZ Geothermal Associations

Technology Innovations

Chair: Rob Jackson , Technical Director, REGA

Wave Power - Tom Denniss, Executive Director, Energetech

Closed Cycle Biomass Carbon Management - Peter Edwards, Managing Director, Victor Smorgon Group

Innovation in Wind Design - Chris Chad, Hydro Tasmania Consulting

DAY 2 – Wednesday April 4th

Welcome and Summary of the International Scene - Hon Peter Rae AO, Chairman, REGA

National Emissions Trading Scheme: What it will deliver and what are the gaps - Walter Gerardi, Director, McLennan Magasanik & Associates

Catalysts for Renewable Energy Growth - Vince Hawksworth, CEO, Hydro Tasmania

The Role of Global Carbon Markets in Infrastructure Development - Paul Curnow, Senior Associate, Baker & McKenzie

Australian Companies and the CDM Challenge: An Australian Energy Perspective -  Michael Wilson, Executive Manager Commercial, Pacific Hydro

Enter the Dragon

Session Chair: Mark Fogarty, The CVC Group

China: Renewable Energy Growth - Li Junfeng, Secretary General, Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association

A “How to” Guide for Australian RE Companies Doing Business in China - Mark Kelleher, Managing Director, Roaring 40s

AP6: Delivering Projects and Financing Workshop Report - Gerry Morvell, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Australian Greenhouse Office

Australia ’s Outreach in the Region - Greg Hunt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs

Clean Energy: In Who’s Interest?

Session Chair: Carlo Botto, Director, TRUenergy

Renewable Energy: A Global Responsibility for the Developed World - Rev Tim Costello, Chairman, World Vision

Why Renewable Energy matters to investors - Peter Castellas, Managing Director, Clean Technology AustralAsia

Voluntary Renewables: In the Shareholder’s Interest? - Gail Kendall, Director Group Environmental Affairs, China Light & Power

Forum communiqué

The forum communiqué is the major outcome of the REGA Forum.

In 2007, Forum participants agreed that there is no silver bullet for the overwhelming seriousness of the challenge presented by climate change and the global increase in the demand for energy and that renewable energy would provide a significant contribution to the solution. Forum participants also agreed that the task could not be delayed and that the renewable energy industry has the technologies available now for large scale deployment at a reasonable cost to ensure that Australia's ongoing energy security needs are met and that the emissions abatement challenge commences immediately.

Download the 2007 Forum Communiqué.

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