With the international nuclear energy landscape changing in recent years, experts have noticed a need to provide evidence-based answers to the discussion around Australia’s nuclear future.
Adelaide University Emeritus Professor Geoff Fincher and former CSIRO Group Executive (Minerals, Energy and Manufacturing) Dr Rod Hill are hosting an objective and apolitical assessment of the situation.
Nuclear Energy and Net Zero II: An Update will be held in the McLeod Lecture Theatre at Adelaide University’s Waite Campus from 9:30am to 6pm on 24 April.
“The world has shifted since we organised the first Nuclear Energy and Net Zero symposium in June 2024 and Hydrogen: 2025 and Beyond in July last year,” said Emeritus Professor Fincher.
“International uptake of new nuclear energy sources by many countries as a means to reduce emissions, along with an accelerating focus on commercial development of small modular reactors to power the data centres needed to support burgeoning AI activities, advances in fusion technology, reactor safety and spent fuel management, inspired us to convene this update.”
The use of nuclear energy is currently banned in Australia, with only Austria, Denmark, Greece, Norway and Ireland having similar explicit laws.
“The Symposium is built on the recognition that we must continue our efforts to decarbonise the Australian energy sector, and that all options for decarbonisation should be debated and evaluated,” said Emeritus Professor Fincher.
“A group of nine highly credentialled speakers will bring their expertise in diverse areas of nuclear energy production, operations and integration into the grid,” Dr Hill said.
“There will also be Q&A sessions and opportunities for audience comment after each talk, during a concluding extended panel discussion session, and afterwards during an informal gathering over refreshments at the Beltana Cafe adjacent to the lecture theatre.”
For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit the event’s Humanitix page.