Hot topics discussed at enviro conference
Published on 01 July, 2010
Researchers from around Australia took part in Australasia's largest annual environmental postgraduate conference at CQUniversity Rockhampton this week...
This is a first for the University in hosting the Environmental Research Event (ERE) which is in its 15th year.
One of the more innovative research studies presented was by visiting researcher Himadri Roy Ghatak.
Ghatak has been researching the economic feasibility of using wind power and electrolysis to create hydrogen from paper mill waste materials - especially "Black Liquor".
To make it economically viable Ghatak has been investigating if wind power can be used in the system, rather than selling solely back to the power grid.
Himadri Roy Ghatak presented his research at the ERE in Rockhampton this week.He has also been investigating if the resulting hydrogen can then be sold to the transport industry.
Event organiser Kartik Venkatraman's research into waste management was also of interest to regional media during the conference.
ERE provided researchers and environmental professionals a unique opportunity for networking and to observe and discuss the development of research in the environmental, engineering, economic and social science fields.
Among other visiting researchers was Professor Paul Meredith, Professor of Physics at the University of Queensland and the co-director of the Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics. Professor Meredith's keynote presentation will focus on the next generation of photovoltaics.
Other visiting presenters included the Australia Institute's Executive Director Dr Richard Denniss, Quest 2025 Founder and Executive Officer Richard Sanders, Bond University Clinical Associate Professor Andrew ‘Wilf' Wilford, leading environmental professional Lillias Bovell, Assistant Director Environment and Regulation at the Gladstone Regional Council Charlie Sotiris and Professor of Marine Studies and Director of the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg.
Assistant Director Environment & Regulation at the Gladstone Regional Council Charles Sotiris at this week's conference.Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter provided the official welcome to the city during the first session on Sunday.
Some of the hot topics included: waste management, climate change, renewable energy deployment, sustainability, land conservation, drip irrigation and water quality.