New Chair announced for UQ Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence

The chairman for the Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence (QGECE) has been announced.

The Queensland Government and The University of Queensland (UQ) announced that Professor Trevor Grigg had taken up the position as the Independent Chair of the Board for the sustainable energy research centre.

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Stephen Robertson said Professor Grigg brought a wealth of experience to the position and would help build Queensland's smart and green credentials.

"The Queensland Government is committed to a renewable energy future and we see geothermal as a significant component of this goal," he said.

"The State Government provided UQ with $15 million to help establish QGECE and drive research and development in the geothermal energy sector in Queensland.

"Geothermal is not a new concept, however, Queensland has some unique advantages primarily in the Cooper Basin which has some of the hottest rocks of their type in the world and is a relatively shallow.

"QGECE's focus is in developing technologies that position Queensland to utilise this natural resource.

"Professor Grigg is very well respected and I have full confidence in his ability to continue our push for a sustainable energy future."

The University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said the Government had selected Professor Grigg from a field of very eminent candidates.

"Professor Grigg's expertise in managing industry partnerships brings new strength to the global profile of Queensland geothermal power," Professor Greenfield said.

Professor Grigg, who was formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor (International and Development) at The University of Queensland, is an engineering economist with a strong commercial and infrastructure planning and investment background.

Over the past decade, he has been involved in a number of major international initiatives linking UQ with overseas industry, government and university partners in collaborative development programs.

He has extensive board director experience acquired over 20 years on research and development, commercialisation, telecommunications, public utility and international education companies.

Professor Grigg said he welcomed the opportunity and challenge of the role to help drive the development of a significant geothermal energy industry in Queensland through high level collaboration between the QGECE, the Queensland State Government, industry, and other national and international energy research institutes.

"Working with other experienced board members and with the QGECE Director and his staff who already have international research reputations, I am confident that the QGECE will make a major contribution to geothermal energy development in the State of Queensland," Professor Grigg said.

The research being conducted at the Centre includes new cycles and cycle fluids for higher efficiencies; new cooling tower designs; and new knowledge on the magnitude and the nature of geothermal resources in Queensland.

The Centre has already acquired a global reputation through its pioneering work in supercritical carbon dioxide geothermal siphon.

The Centre held a very successful meeting with its stakeholders earlier this year, where 73 delegates from industry, academia and government from around Australia discussed the Centre's program of activities.

Queensland Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence (QGECE) Director, Professor Hal Gurgenci said that the QGECE was fortunate to appoint as its Chair someone with Professor Grigg's reputation and experience and that he looked forward to working with him to progress geothermal energy in Queensland.

Media: Kim Jensen at the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology on 3365 1107 or k.jensen@uq.edu.au; Minister Robertson’s office on 3224 7332.