New tools for improving energy efficiency

Photo by Richard Dudley.
Full Image (76.11K)

Monday, 7 July 2008

New computer modelling "tools" are helping local industry to significantly reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Research at the University of Adelaide to develop these tools, along with other approaches to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, will be highlighted by Professor Gus Nathan when he presents the University's next free Research Tuesday public seminar on Tuesday 8 July.

Professor Nathan, from the University's School of Mechanical Engineering, said that in order to make rapid reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, Australia needed to focus on energy conservation and efficiency.

"Developing new technologies and implementing them takes a long time. While developing them is important for the longer term, to make the rapid changes required over the next 5-10 years, we need to be doing a lot better with our existing technologies," Professor Nathan said.

"Big industrial plants will not be switched off overnight. Throughout industry and throughout society we need to focus on using less energy and using energy more efficiently."

Professor Nathan, who is Deputy Director of the University's Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability, works with a range of industries to develop and implement cleaner technologies.

His research group has employed computational modelling in a range of industrial processes. One increased the energy efficiency of a major component in the manufacture of steel piping by about 30%. The group is also involved in emerging technologies such as geothermal, biomass, wind, clean coal, solar, and wave.

Professor Nathan jointly led the development of the award-winning Gyro-Therm(tm) low-emission burner technology applied in the cement, lime and steel industries, and jointly led the development of the new technologies involved in the Olympic torches used at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games.

Held on the second Tuesday of every month, Research Tuesday gives leading experts from the University of Adelaide an opportunity to engage with business, community leaders and the general public on issues that impact on them.

WHAT: Research Tuesday: "Some pathways toward a more sustainable energy future"
by Professor Gus Nathan (School of Mechanical Engineering, and Deputy Director, Research Institute for Climate Change and Sustainability)

WHERE: Lecture Theatre G04, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide

WHEN: 5.30pm Tuesday 8 July

COST: Free. Please book by email: research.tuesdays@adelaide.edu.au or phone: (08) 8303 3692

Contact Details