Program
Keynote Speakers
David Shankey
Deputy Director-General of the Energy Division in the Department of Energy and Public Works, Queensland.
Topic: “Renewable Energy Transformation in Queensland”
David Shankey was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Energy Division in the Department of Energy and Public Works in August 2021.
David led the division as it delivered Queensland’s 15-year Energy and Jobs Plan, the most significant and challenging energy reform agenda in the State’s history.
The plan provides the strategy for Queensland to move from coal-fired to renewable generation within ten years while reducing carbon emissions from the energy sector by 90%. It also sets out the initiatives needed to manage the social impacts of the changes associated with the transition.
Queensland is the first State to articulate an infrastructure pathway out of coal and positions the State as a global leader in this field.
Prior to his current role, David was Executive Director in the Energy Division for four years in multiple roles including Strategic Policy and Renewables. Prior to working for the Queensland Government, David worked in both the resources sector and in the media.
The history of working on specialised energy topics and media means he can distil complex thinking around policy reform into understandable and deliverable steps. A history of working in Queensland means he can forge relationships across industry sectors and bring participants together to achieve outcomes by collaborating on strategies to achieve common goals.
David holds Bachelor Degrees in Law and Commerce.”
Adam Middleton
B.Eng (Hons), MBA, C.ENG, MIET, MIoD, MIEEE, DistMCIGRE
Vice President - Western Europe, Siemens Energy
Président, Siemens Energy SAS & Dresser-Rand SAS, France
Chair of the Management Board and Managing Director, Siemens Energy BV, The Netherlands
Chair: CIGRE UK; Member of the CIGRE Global Executive Steering Committee
Topic: “Industrialisation of the Energy Transition” - How do we make it happen?
Adam Middleton has spent more than 35 years in the energy, electrical transmission & distribution and oil & gas industries.
Adam is Vice President for the Western Europe Sub Region, covering France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
Adam has a strong interest in the development of new and diverse talent within the engineering industry, the application of digitalization to improve business operations and project delivery, and has a passion for improving health and safety at work, specifically around mental health. He works extensively supporting inclusion and diversity, the Energy Transition and decarbonization initiatives, writing extensively on the topics in social media.
Adam’s address will cover the Industrialisation of the Energy Transition and how we must collaborate and move forward with actions rather than just policy to ensure a successful transition to greener/renewable energy.
Women in Energy Breakfast Keynote Speaker
Merryn York
Executive General Manager, System Design AEMO
Topic: Women in Energy – Supporting the transition
Merryn York is responsible for leading System Design at Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), driving the collaborative and industry-wide efforts in meeting the engineering challenges of a net-zero energy system in Australia.
Joining AEMO in March 2022, Merryn brings deep industry experience in generator connections, transmission planning, regulatory investment and the delivery of major transmission projects.
Most recently, Merryn served as a Commissioner at the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) where she engaged widely across the industry.
Prior to joining the AEMC, she served as Chief Executive of Powerlink Queensland from 2011-2019.
Merryn has a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Engineering Science, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Law from The University of Queensland. She is also an honorary Fellow of the Institute of Engineers Australia, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, a Registered Professional Engineer and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ course.
Symposium Program Overview
Full program will be made available closer to the event
Sunday 3 September 2023
· Exhibition Build
· Registration Open
Monday 4 September 2023
- Registration Desk Open
- Companion Tour: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda, Kuranda Scenic Train – Departs: 9:00 am Cairns Convention Centre
Returns: 4:00 pm Cairns Convention Centre – please download the Companion Program above for further details. - Opening Ceremony and Symposium Sessions
- Exhibition Open
- Welcome reception – Cairns Convention Centre 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Tuesday 5 September 2023
Wednesday 6 September 2023
- Registration Desk Open
- Symposium Sessions
- Exhibition Open
- Offsite Symposium Soiree – Rainforest Station- 5.30 pm sharp departure from Cairns Convention Centre to the Soiree venue, return back to Cairns Convention Centre apx 11.00pm (SOLD OUT). Dress Code – Smart/Relaxed Tropical – Flat Shoes
Thursday 7 September 2023
- Registration Desk Open
- Symposium Sessions
- Exhibition Open
- Exhibition Bump out
Friday 8 September 2023
- Technical Tours (optional add on)
Technical Site Tours SOLD OUT
CIGRE Australia has organised site tours for the International Symposium on Friday 8 September.
Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Half Day Tours
Barron Gorge Power Station and MIST Facility (Microgrid and Isolated Systems Test)
On this Tour you will visit 2 sites, Barron Gorge Power Station + the MIST Facility
Barron Gorge Power Station
Commissioned in 1963, the Barron Gorge Hydro sources water from the Barron River to produce electricity before releasing the water back into the river. Kuranda Weir acts as a regulating pool for the hydro with water captured at the weir transported underground to the 66 MW Barron Gorge Hydro. If required, additional water can be obtained from Tinaroo Dam on the Atherton Tablelands. Barron Gorge Hydro’s ability to quickly start its two 33 MW generators makes it an important asset for providing a secure, reliable energy supply for Queensland. Barron Gorge Hydro is in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and must meet strict environmental standards. All water used in generation flows back to the Barron River in the pristine condition it entered the power station. The Barron Gorge Hydro does not emit any greenhouse gases and is an accredited green generator.
PPE Requirements: Long sleeve shirt, long trousers, closed in shoes.
Barron Gorge will supply other PPE gear
Please note: All attendees also need to be comfortable with stairs, heights, and underground spaces.
The visit includes a walk-through of the underground station which is accessed by a steep tunnel and should only be undertaken by those with a reasonable level of fitness.
MIST Facility ( Microgrid and Isolated Systems Test)
Cairns is home to one of the most sophisticated energy R&D hubs in Australia with Ergon Energy’s Microgrid and Isolated Systems Test (MIST) Facility which has been operating since October 2021.
The $6 million MIST Facility is helping guide Queensland’s transition to a low carbon, low-cost energy future.
This is a world-class hub for energy research and development.
The state-of-the-art technology housed here allows for the complex testing of solar and batteries, microgrids, standalone power systems, and hydrogen energy storage and carbon reduction.
A real-time digital simulator (RTDS) with linear amplifier allows for safe and decoupled testing of systems and devices, whilst the real power laboratory allows for a large array of connection options. The MIST Facility is capable of complex testing for large-scale systems up to one megawatt based around LV connections – where much of the distribution system change is happening.
“Our work is helping to maximise the performance of solar installations and battery storage systems before they’re installed, which is good for the environment and the back pocket”.
Max No: 20 per tour
Duration: 5 Hrs – Light snacks and water will be provided
MIST Facility only Tour
On this Tour, you will visit 1 site, The MIST Facility.
Cairns is home to one of the most sophisticated energy R&D hubs in Australia with Ergon Energy’s Microgrid and Isolated Systems Test (MIST) Facility which has been operating since October 2021.
The $6 million MIST Facility is helping guide Queensland’s transition to a low carbon, low-cost energy future.
This is a world-class hub for energy research and development.
The state-of-the-art technology housed here allows for the complex testing of solar and batteries, microgrids, standalone power systems, and hydrogen energy storage and carbon reduction.
A real-time digital simulator (RTDS) with linear amplifier allows for safe and decoupled testing of systems and devices, whilst the real power laboratory allows for a large array of connection options. The MIST Facility is capable of complex testing for large-scale systems up to one megawatt based around LV connections – where much of the distribution system change is happening.
“Our work is helping to maximise the performance of solar installations and battery storage systems before they’re installed, which is good for the environment and the back pocket”.
PPE Requirements: Closed-in shoes
Max No: 10
Duration: 2 Hrs 20 mins– Light snack and water will be provided