John Wright
Message from
the Director
This will be my last newsletter as, after 6 ½ years at the helm, I will
be stepping down as the Flagship Director at the end of the year.
It has been a fascinating voyage since the commencement of the
Program in 2002. I look back with considerable pride on the
Flagship’s achievements and all the people who have contributed to
its success. People have been the key, from those at the bench doing
the essential science and technology development, our commercial
people who work with our many supporters to turn that science into
applications, and the management support both in CSIRO and through
our Advisory Committees. All have worked in concert to maximise the
Flagship’s impact.
It has been a year of recognition for the Flagship. The Flagship
UltraBattery team was awarded a CSIRO Medal for Research
Achievement. A Business Excellence Medal was awarded for the
Underground Coal Gasification team that received its start though
one of the Flagship’s foundation projects. I was also extremely
proud to receive a CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
Some of the highlights of the last few years for me have been the
successful running of two Energy Forums, one on general energy and
transport pathways and the other on alternative fuels for Australia.
These forums bought together almost 40 government, industry and
community groups to develop a range of future scenarios that we
modelled and produced two landmark public documents – The Heat is On
and Fuel for Thought. The outputs from both these forums have
contributed to the recent Garnaut and Treasury modelling associated
with the development of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
The Flagship has also had a great impact though its carbon
dioxide capture program. We now have operating pilot plants at three
power stations in NSW, Victoria and China and one approved in
Queensland. This will give us and our collaborators a magnificent
data base of information and operating experience to allow us to
move to the demonstration phases of these operations.
Other highlights have been the winning of additional support from
government for the development of alternative fuels ($60 million
over four years), $25 million for clean coal research and
development through the National Low Emission Coal Initiative and
our part in the development of the $100 million Australian Solar
Institute with the headquarters to be at the Energy Centre in
Newcastle. This support will seed further impact in stationary
energy and transport innovations from the Flagship.
From a zero base in 2002, the Energy Transformed Flagship Program
has grown into a $55 million per annum operation. And with the
prospects of further support in clean coal technology, alternative
fuels and solar thermal developments, the future looks strong for
continuing growth.
Given the overwhelming need to chart an appropriate course for
Australia to avoid the hazards of climate change and energy
security, whilst at the same time protecting our cost-effective
energy services, I think the Flagship has developed into an
essential part of the Australian research and development landscape
and I truly believe its best years are ahead.
A big thank you to all our supporters and goodbye from me in this
role. I wish you all a happy and safe festive season.
John Wright
Director, Energy Transformed Flagship
Ph: +61 2 4960 6080
John.Wright@csiro.au
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