Alternative power sources were high on the agenda in the big white tent pitched at this year's Graduating Engineers Conference, GECon 2006, on Friday June 23 in Rockhampton.

Among the innovative projects on show by this year's graduating class were Adrian Murphy's feasibility study on a refrigerator run on solar power and John Brown's analysis of a coal seam methane power generator.

The solar refrigerator system is run only by the heat collected from a large parabolic solar mirror which is reflected to a collection tube located at its focal point. This heat is then applied to the working fluid or refrigerant within the system producing the pressure required to run the refrigeration cycle, suitable for food storage or air conditioning.

"Having this ability would greatly decrease a household or office consumption of electricity for the purposes of refrigeration and would decrease the load on coal-fuelled power stations," Mr Murphy said.

The coal seam methane powered generator project involved the analysis of a gas-fired generator based on sample coal seam methane drainage data. Research and development in this field is important to the surrounding industries, especially with the coal fields and power generation right at our doorstep.

"There are many benefits to be gained by mining companies and gas producers, and with government schemes such as the 13% gas scheme whereby power producers have to source 13% of their energy sources from gas, the industry is heading for a major increase in infrastructure," explained Mr Brown.

GECon 2006 was held at CQU Rockhampton.

Industry and community members attended the conference which showcased this year's graduating class projects through oral presentations and a collection of papers.

Conference organiser Dr Col Greensill said visitors had been encouraged to witness the level of knowledge and expertise of CQU's engineering graduates.

"We have held this conference since 2002 and it has become a high priority annual event for all those interested in excellence in engineering," Mr Greensill said.

"The conference allows industry representatives to support their new colleagues and also provides a recruitment opportunity".

GECon 2006 was sponsored by Anglo Coal, Engineers Australia, Ergon Energy, Maunsell Australia, Queensland Rail and Worleyparsons.

More information can be viewed at www.engineering.cqu.edu.au/gecon .

Photo: (above) Matthew Smith displays his poster on Pressure Management and Active Leakage Control for Rockhampton's Water Reticulation System.

Photo (below): Michael Warren and Melissa Schick discuss a poster on A Bluetooth Enabled Calibrator.