The South West Development Commission has revealed state energy minister Ben Wyatt will open the renewable energy conference that will be hosted in Collie next month.
The Powering the Future of WA conference will examine what the future of energy in WA may be with presentations from renewable energy experts from the community, industry and government sectors.
Presenters announced for the conference include Synergy chief executive officer Jason Waters, who will discuss the factors shaping WA’s electricity sector.
Carnegie Clean Energy’s Tristy Fairfield will present innovative solutions for a new economy including off-grid, battery energy storage and micro-grid technologies.
Redback Energy chief business development officer Glynn Ellis will make a presentation that will shine a light on virtual power plants, while the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Kim Brooksbank will examine the future of bioenergy.
SunWise Energy chief executive officer and founder Glen Holland will be make a presentation about energy and sustainability and the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Dominique Van Gent will focus on reducing industrially-generated carbon dioxide.
There will also be presentations on energy from a community perspective from the Coalition for Community Energy chair Heather Smith, along with the Augusta Margaret River Clean Community Energy chair Lyn Serventy and deputy chair Ian Williams.
South West Development Commission acting chief executive officer Rebecca Ball said the conference would ignite discussion about the way communities were powered in the coming years.
“There is no doubt the way energy is generated, stored and consumed is evolving – and this presents exciting opportunities,” Ms Ball said.
“Whether you are a community member or from industry or government, we expect you will find this glimpse into the future of energy and how communities are powered to be interesting and valuable.”
Ms Ball also said more speakers for the conference would be announced in the next two weeks.
The conference will take place at Harris River Estate on Friday, June 8, following a welcome function at the Collie Motorplex the evening before.
The cost for attending the conference is $90. To register, visit www.criticalhorizons.com.au.