Going green at uni

Courier Mail
Saturday 16/8/2008 Page: 34

Griffith University surveys have shown the rapid growth in demand for green power has exposed a yawning knowledge gap in Australia's ability to devise next-generation green power solutions. Launching Griffith's new Sustainable Energy Systems discipline, deputy head of Engineering at Griffith University associate Professor Steven O'Keefe said demand for new technology would intensify as the implications of accords such as the Kyoto Protocol began to bite.

"Governments worldwide are offering cash incentives to households and businesses to install technologies that reduce consumption or generate power, so there's a real niche for engineers with electronics knowledge to develop these," Prof. O'Keefe said. Prof. O'Keefe said universities needed to engage technology focused students to grasp the challenge of developing and using these technologies that would provide the energy solutions to keep modern society powered, while also caring for the environment.

He said to engage these students, Griffith had developed the Sustainable Energy Systems program based on an electronics engineering degree, enhanced with specialist courses covering renewable energy generation, power storage and distribution, and efficient energy consumption. "TAFE has been filling the gap at a practical level by training installers, further highlighting the gap in university offerings at design and development level," Prof. O'Keefe said.

"Our research shows a lack of university degrees focused on the technical aspects of solar and wind generation, energy auditing and most importantly, on reducing consumption." He said jobs growth would likely come from traditional and green energy generators and power distribution companies.

For more information visit www.griffith.edu.au.