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Abstract
In this talk, Professor Renate Egan, the Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), discusses the significant strides and future goals of solar photovoltaic (PV) research in Australia. Established in 2012 and hosted by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), ACAP brings together leading research institutions across Australia to advance solar PV technologies, funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Professor Egan highlights the centre's origins and the transition of leadership from Professor Martin Green to herself, emphasizing ACAP's role in creating a national network of experts in solar energy. This collaboration includes prestigious universities like ANU, University of Melbourne, and the University of Queensland, and involves partnerships with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.
The centre's research focus extends beyond traditional silicon photovoltaics, which have achieved significant commercial success, to emerging technologies like tandem solar cells and new materials that promise higher efficiencies. A major aspect of ACAP's mission is to ensure the sustainability of solar manufacturing by developing recycling technologies and reducing reliance on scarce resources like silver.
Professor Egan also discusses Australia's ambitious renewable energy targets, including a transition to 82% renewable electricity by 2030 and the vision of becoming a leader in green hydrogen and minerals processing. This requires scaling up solar installations and innovating to lower the cost of solar energy production.
The talk concludes with an emphasis on ACAP's commitment to long-term research, fostering commercial outcomes, and building international collaborations to drive the global solar industry forward. This comprehensive overview not only showcases the centre's achievements but also sets a roadmap for future advancements in solar energy technology.
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Brief Bio
Professor Renate Egan is Executive Director for the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, the national centre for photovoltaics research led by UNSW, in partnership with ANU, UQ, CSIRO University of Melbourne and Monash. She is also Deputy Head of School (Engagement) in the School of Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineering.
Renate joined UNSW in 2014 after a 20 year career in industry where she led manufacturing and technology development in Australia, Germany and China and is a leading authority on manufacturing costing and technology transfer.
Renate is also Co-Founder of Solar Analytics, Australia's largest independent energy monitoring provider. In earlier roles, as Director and CTO of CSG Solar AG and Managing Director of Suntech R&D Australia Pty Ltd, Renate held executive leadership roles in technology development in the solar industry at a time of dramatic progress in manufacturing, development and deployment.
An innovator, entrepreneur and academic, Renate is passionate about using her skills to increase the uptake of solar and accelerate the energy transition.
Major Research Themes
Techno-economic analysis. Bringing together a lifetime of experience in taking technology to market, This project focuses on developing models and metrics for assessing new technology developments for their commercial viability and impact on energy markets. The research is cross-disciplinary, taking into account engineering developments, financial modelling, energy markets and environmental and social impacts.
Energy Data for Smart Decision Making. As the energy industry shifts from centralised to decentralised generation the use of good data becomes critical for decision making. WIth a deep understanding of the cost trajectories in solar deployment, and with increasing visibility of energy data in networks, this research seeks to use machine learning and big-data analysis to understand energy generation and demand patterns, including elements of generation, storage and forecasting.
Expertise
Manufacturing costing, techno-economic analysis, solar cell manufacturing, solar engineering, energy policy, energy market analysis.
