The Hunter region’s reputation as an energy hub for both traditional and new energy continues to grow, and the upcoming Hunter New Energy Symposium is set to be a key event in cementing this status.
Scheduled on 21 and 22 February 2024, the second annual Symposium, hosted by NewH2 and HunterNet, is poised to gather representatives from industry, government, research, and capital markets, creating a collaborative platform for driving the region’s clean energy transition.
Co-lead of NewH2 Hunter Hydrogen Technology Cluster, Boris Novak said along with bringing together the region’s leaders in tackling the new energy challenge and debuting an exhibition showcasing the latest in new energy, this year the Symposium will also be welcoming a delegation facilitated by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
“From the University of Newcastle, Port of Newcastle and our small, medium and large businesses, to our collaborative networks like HunterNet, Business Hunter and the Committee for the Hunter, there is an abundance of information to share,” Boris said.
“We have enormous talent, expertise and knowledge in the Hunter and we know how to work together to make innovation and change happen.
“The Symposium has expanded to showcase significant new energy projects, investments and initiatives, and there is still a strong hydrogen component given its importance in the new energy sector including a session supported by Head of Hydrogen, Cluster Manager – Energy & Head of Melbourne Office, Florence Lindhaus from the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
“The Symposium will share insights about industry growth in the new energy economy from a regional and international perspective. These insights are invaluable in understanding successes and challenges to consider on our energy transition journey.”
Delegates will be able to experience new hydrogen technology firsthand, with the Symposium exhibition featuring a hydrogen-powered bus, the first of its kind being trialled in cities across NSW.
Delegates will be able to experience the new technology in person, with short tours of key Newcastle sites occurring through the Symposium.
Boris adds the Symposium program has been structured to build on the inaugural 2023 event with the sessions to introduce new ideas and initiatives as well as provide progress reports for the last 12 months.
“Progress of policy, projects, investment, and innovation will all be featured over the two-day event. With the transition being akin to achieving an industrial revolution within a decade, it will be interesting to see and hear about the changes that have occurred across the sector in the last 12 months and understand what the priorities are to achieve this once-in-a-generation change.”
“The Port of Newcastle has given its support again as a Platinum sponsor, and this is foretelling in the increase in its diversity and active role that it will have to play as we transition to a new energy economy.
“As this transition happens, change will be happening at pace and one of the areas we focussed on at the 2023 Symposium was supporting new jobs and workforce development including the need to develop micro-credentials and short courses.
“We are pleased to announce that all HNES2024 delegates will have the opportunity to complete a free online Hydrogen Safety Awareness course, the first in a series of short courses for clean energy, newly developed by Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi from the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle.
Limited tickets are still available, and the full program can be found on their website.
IMAGE | 2023 Hunter New Energy Symposium in session.
