Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) dominate the current generation and supply of energy globally accounting for 80% of all energy supply.  The key advantage of fossil fuel over many other sources of energy such as renewables is energy density (i.e., smaller footprint and greater energy per unit of volume).  However, according to the IEA the energy sector is the source of around three‐quarters of greenhouse gas emissions today and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change.

The use of fossil fuels will not disappear overnight.  And oil in particular provides an array of complex organic molecules that are essential for the production of plastics which are used widely in the manufacture of electric vehicles reducing vehicle weight.  Fossil fuels that remain in 2050 will be used in goods where the carbon is embodied in the product such as plastics, in facilities fitted with Carbon Capture and Underground Storage (CCUS), and in sectors where low‐emissions technology options are scarce.  To achieve a zero-carbon footprint the utilisation of CCUS will be essential.

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Nuclear energy along with hydro are the two largest sources of low‐carbon electricity today and provide an essential foundation for the energy transition. Nuclear fission has been used around the world for over 50 years but accidents and economics have led to a significant slowdown in the building of new facilities.  However, modular smaller units could lead to an expansion in the near future.  And there has been exciting progress in the commercialisation of the safer, cleaner more efficient Thorium Fuel Cycle. Nuclear fusion is still in the emerging experimental phase and will not form part of the near to medium term energy solution.

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Hydropower along with nuclear are the two largest sources of low‐carbon electricity today and provide an essential foundation for the energy transition. However, hydro is difficult to expand at scale without impacting major rivers and waterways and creating negative impacts for downstream communities.  Pumped hydro using excess cheap renewable energy to pump water back up hill at times of low energy demand is emerging as a key energy storage option.

But no form of energy is truly renewable.  All forms of energy have environmental impacts (e.g., mining, landfill).  The total market size of critical minerals like copper, cobalt, manganese and various rare earth metals grows almost sevenfold between 2020 and 2030 in the net zero pathway.  However, renewables are an essential component of the global electrification movement.  Growth of power generation in the renewables sector is increasing dramatically. Energy storage is the key to allowing renewables to build the four pillars of energy security (affordability, availability, reliability and sustainability).

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Energy storage is the enabler allowing renewables to be used as a reliable energy source. Without energy storage, renewables will always require some form of backup power generation facility.  Battery storage technology is evolving rapidly however storing electrons is inherently more difficult than storing molecules. Hydrogen is particularly attractive for hard-to-decarbonise sectors where low-carbon alternatives are scarce. Its high energy density is suitable for industries such as steel and cement and for transport (trucking, shipping, aviation). It also has immense potential as a long-duration energy storage medium.

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Utilising existing infrastructure and / or maximising the utility of new build infrastructure is key to lowering energy costs and accelerating the transition to renewables. In particular, the location of large scale renewable powergen facilities adjacent to existing electricity transmission networks provides an opportunity for the early retirement of high carbon emitting coal fired power. For large remote standalone projects, the focus is on scale (bigger the better) and production of green hydrogen and / or ammonia for export. Many challenges lay ahead but the concept of large-scale hubs providing low-cost energy for manufacturing, industry and / or the production of green hydrogen is enticing.

This webinar series covers the new Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum (Earth and Space Sciences), namely, AC9S9U03, AC9S9H03, AC9S9H04 (Year 9), AC9S10U04, AC9S10H02, AC9S10I08 (Year 10).

This webinar will take no more than 45-60 minutes of your time. Extra time for Q&A can follow as required.

All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).