Energy Talks by Qld Energy Club

Wednesday 29 March 2023

Introducing Andrew Bills, the Chief Executive Officer of CS Energy, a large Queensland-based generation company. He has over 25 years experience in the energy industry across the public and private sectors, covering power generation, retail supply, distribution, LPG and energy trading. Andrew’s previous roles include Executive roles at Origin Energy, Babcock and Brown Power, Stanwell Corporation and as a Director at PwC.

In this podcast, Andrew will discuss his journey as the CEO of CS Energy and his perspective on leadership during a time of crisis. Andrew discusses significant high-profile events that have taken place during his tenure, including the C4 incident as well as a cyber-attack, but focuses on how he has responded to such crises as a leader.
Andrew emphasises that the key to responding to a crisis is to prioritise people's safety, security, and well-being. He shares his thoughts on what he has learned as a leader, including the importance of collaboration, communication, and having a clear and consistent vision for the organisation.

The Queensland Energy Club welcomes Andrew Bills as our guest speaker for Episode 10 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Episode 11: Energy Talks. ‘FINNISH HYDROGEN START UP VISITS QUEENSLAND’ 

Wednesday 29 March 2023 

Introducing Matti Malkamäki, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Hycamite TCD Technologies, in conversation with Conrad Gaudin, Founder and CEO of Otec Pacific. Matti is a serial cleantech / deeptech entrepreneur and an active member of various hydrogen-related entities.

In this podcast, Matti will discuss Hycamite and how it could kick start Australia's Hydrogen aspirations in the industry and marine sectors. 

Hycamite is a Finnish fast growing and award-winning company that produces affordable, clean hydrogen and solid high-value industrial-grade carbon products by splitting (bio)methane with a thermo-catalytic process.

Hycamite provides a “last-mile hydrogen solution” – enabling companies to switch quickly to use hydrogen, without waiting for other hydrogen production or infrastructure to be completed. 

The Queensland Energy Club welcomes Matti Malkamäki as our guest speaker in conversation with Conrad Gaudin for Episode 11 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Introducing James Harman, CEO EDL

James Harman is a highly experienced executive who, over the last six years, has led EDL’s rapid global expansion – including investing in biomethane-to-transportation-fuel projects and biomethane-to-electricity projects in North America; and delivering innovative large-scale hybrid renewable microgrid projects in remote areas of Australia.

As the world seeks to decarbonise, there is no one size fits all solution. Many different technologies and parts of the economy will play their role.

In this podcast, James shares how EDL has been decarbonising for over 30 years, well before this was the norm. He discusses some of the opportunities he sees for Queensland to learn from what’s already working well in other areas of the world – including remote hybrid renewable power in WA and NT here in Australia, as well as the growing renewable natural gas industry in the United States
and Europe.

The Queensland Energy Club once again welcomes James Harman as our guest speaker for Episode 9 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Introducing Malcolm Rushin, who has led GHD’s hydrogen and future fuels offering in Australia since 2018. He now leads GHD’s Australian Future Energy offering which incorporates the significant GHD power business as well as future fuels.

Malcolm has significant experience as a Project Director, Project Manager and Study manager for complex process-oriented projects and has recently completed a number of studies for low carbon hydrogen production and transportation.

Since 2015 Malcolm has led a number and variety of projects intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of Client’s operations. He has over 30 years of experience in the Oil & Gas and Hazardous Chemicals Industries in Australia and the UK that has included significant periods in design, project management, construction, commissioning and operations.

The Queensland Energy Club welcomes Malcolm, in conversation with Dan Brown for Episode 8 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Introducing Chris Wade, former CEO of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), joined by Dr. Heidi Edmonds Project Manager, Queensland Projects, at Beyond Zero Emissions, and also in conversation with Joseph O’Brien, Director and co-founder CopperString 2.0.

Chris has over 20 years’ experience in senior leadership, project development and investment across the infrastructure, clean energy and property sectors. During his time at NAIF, Chris led a significant enterprise change program to transform NAIF’s investment commitments during his tenure.  

Prior to Chris’s time at NAIF, he had a senior role at the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) where he led the development of their infrastructure and property business.

Chris maintains a strong interest and passion for Northern Australia and its development and economic potential. 

In this podcast, Chris, Heidi and Joseph discuss their experience, reflections and energy developments, and how they see Northern Australia positioned for the new energy future and Northern Australia’s development as a regional energy export hub.  

The Queensland Energy Club welcomes Chris, in conversation with Heidi and Joseph for Episode 7 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Introducing Paul Richards, Global Head of Resources, Energy & Infrastructure ANZ based in Sydney, in conversation with Mark Couchman Director, Natural Resources Group ANZ based in Brisbane.

Paul Richards is a highly experienced banker in both domestic and international markets, with extensive leadership of client-facing, ‘connectivity’ teams. Paul is a values-oriented leader, driven by a passion for developing deep customer relationships, building inclusive and collaborative teams, innovation, and different thinking. At ANZ, Paul has responsibility for leading a team of specialist bankers and delivering solutions to ANZ’s largest customers in the Resources, Energy & Infrastructure segments.  

Mark Couchman is client-facing and driven to deliver value-added and commercial outcomes, with a focus on continued growth and expertise in the Natural Resources sector; and delivering on strategic opportunities in Queensland and PNG Resources projects.

In this podcast, Paul and Mark will discuss their career reflections, and experience, new energy developments, how they see Queensland positioned for the new energy future and what ANZ are doing to support Australia’s development as a regional export hub, which is detailed in ANZ’s newly released hydrogen handbook.  

The Queensland Energy Club welcomes Paul Richards in conversation with Mark Couchman for Episode 6 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Introducing Dr Chris Greg, Senior Research Scientist, Princeton University 

Dr Chris Greig, a proud Queenslander, is the Theodora D. ('78) and William H. Walton III ('74) Senior Research Scientist at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, New Jersey.

As the debate on climate change and the COVID 19 recovery comes to the forefront in Australia, a 2050 Net-Zero emissions target is swiftly becoming a global norm. 

In this podcast, Chris shares his top five takeaways, interpretation and analysis of the main outcomes that arose from COP26 including: the elevation of Net-Zero commitments and pledges; carbon mitigation including, global methane pledge and commitment to stop or reverse deforestation by 2030; the issue of fairness; the positioning of the financial community; and the scaling back of unabated fossil fuel use. 

The Queensland Energy Club once again welcomes Dr. Chris Greig as our guest speaker for Episode 5 of ‘Energy Talks’.

Introducing Mr. Joseph O’Brien, Co-Founder and Director of CopperString 2.0

Joseph has worked in the energy-supply industry for over 20 years, and today is the Founding Partner and Executive Chairman of VisIR Holdings Pty Ltd, as well as a Director of CuString Pty Ltd sponsor of the CopperString 2.0 transmission project.

CopperString 2.0 is a private Townsville based company, developed by CuString Pty Ltd. CopperString 2.0’s proposed high voltage transmission network will connect Mount Isa to the national grid near Townsville, bringing lower power prices, creating jobs, and unlocking the economic potential of the North.

Joseph is a Director of several private companies and served as a non-executive Director at Windlab Limited (ASX:WND) until June 2020. He is a member of the CEO Stakeholder Council at AGL Energy, and is involved in a range of philanthropic activities including: as a Director of the Mater Hospital Foundation in Brisbane; Committee Member of the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation (and Chairman of the “Future Collective”); Board Director and Member of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation and Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation; and former Committee Member of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland.

Joseph is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has attended Harvard Business School, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from James Cook University, Townsville.

It is with great pleasure, the Queensland Energy Club welcomes Joseph O’Brien as ‘Energy Talks’ guest speaker for Episode 4, ‘CopperString 2.0 Extending the NEM to Unlock the Potential of Northern Queensland’.

Introducing Mr. Daniel Kim, Chief Executive Officer, Ark Energy Corporation 

Daniel Kim has more than 20 years' experience advising on cross-border deals between Asia and Australia across a broad range of industries including renewable energy, natural resources, and infrastructure.

Daniel is currently the CEO of Ark Energy Corporation, an Australian subsidiary of Korea Zinc Company (largest zinc, lead and silver producer in the world). Ark Energy’s mandate is to decarbonise the energy supply of the Korea Zinc group starting with the Sun Metals zinc refinery in Townsville, Queensland, as it aims to become the first refinery in the world to produce green zinc. 

Ark Energy will leverage and expand on the group's investments across the hydrogen value chain to become the safest and most competitive producer of green hydrogen in the world as well as an extreme user and demand creator of hydrogen.

Daniel is on the Global Steering Committee of the Hyzon Zero Carbon Alliance and is a member of the Australian Hydrogen Council. He has been a Director of the Australia-Korea Business Council since 2014. Daniel received a Korean Government Minister's Citation in 2017.

It is with great pleasure, the Queensland Energy Club welcomes Daniel Kim as Energy Talks guest speaker for Episode 3, ‘Going for Green Zinc’. 

Introducing Mr. Robert Saunders, General Manager, Sevengen  

Robert Saunders is an energy engineer with an interest in renewables and pioneers in engineering. Talking with pioneers and explorers such as astronaut Buzz Aldrin and listening to their thoughts on our planet, really resonated with Robert…exploring the planet from a different perspective.

Robert comes from an engineering family and background, where his father, also an engineer, was involved early on, in small-scale biomass, waste to energy, and heat recovery projects. This is where Robert’s interest and focus on renewables started many years ago. 

Robert’s passion for renewables led him to accept the inaugural role as General Manager of Sevengen, an advisory and construction business, focusing exclusively on the delivery of renewables.

This is his decade. Robert wants to make a difference and be a net-zero person where, as an individual, he has contributed to the environment in a positive way and not been a burden to society, leaving a legacy for the next generation.

In the future, Robert hopes to play a role in facilitating some green technology and stimulating younger generations. Working with like-minded people, means together we can do some exciting things and look back and reflect.

Introducing Dr Chris Greig, Senior Research Scientist, Princeton University 

Dr Chris Greig, a proud Queenslander, is the Theodora D. ('78) and William H. Walton III ('74) Senior Research Scientist at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, New Jersey.

Prior to joining Princeton, Chris was a Professor in Chemical Engineering, Director of the Dow Centre for Sustainable Engineering Innovation at the University of Queensland (UQ). Chris also held the position of Director of the UQ Energy Initiative, and currently holds an adjunct appointment with UQ.

With fellow researchers, Eric Larson and Jesse Jenkins, Chris has co-led Princeton’s ground-breaking Net-Zero America study. In this podcast, Chris describes the five pathways the research team decided to take for the United States to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and did so in an unprecedented level of detail and granularity.

Creating a path towards Net Zero 2050 for Australia is a concept that not long ago, was seen by many as an extreme target in climate change politics. But now 2050 is being considered by many as actually too modest. 

As the debate on climate change and the COVID 19 recovery comes to the forefront in Australia, a 2050 Net - Zero emissions target is swiftly becoming a global norm. Chris speaks about Australia needing to act quickly and decisively, but also has a lot to consider in regards to infrastructure investment, Capex spending and a social licence to operate. 

The Queensland Energy Club welcomes Dr. Chris Greig as our first speaker for Episode 1 of ‘Energy Talks’.

For more information, or to become a member of the QLD Energy Club please visitwww.qldenergyclub.com.au 

The Queensland Energy Club was originally launched back in 2018 with an address by Simon Kidston, Executive Director Genex Power regarding the Kidston Project. Simon’s address was fabulous, but the timing of the Club was still too soon.
Moving forward three years, the future of energy has become an insanely hot topic. Australia’s race to a renewable future, coupled with the potential to become a zero – carbon powerhouse, has found Queensland in a prime position to be at the forefront of this immense opportunity.
Queensland is already well ahead of other states with an abundance of sun, wind, and a multitude of minerals to power up the renewables sector. Queensland is also well positioned for a thriving renewable export industry amid strong historical trading partnerships with countries such as Korea, Japan and South America.
To me, 2021 felt like the perfect time to create a series of events, so that energy industry leaders, emerging leaders in business and technology, government, entrepreneurs, and distinguished representatives from the services and academic communities, could all have the opportunity to congenially meet together in the same room, and address key topics facing the energy industry. The need for a networking group became absolutely apparent to me. And here, I found my dream job in making this happen.