COVID 19: IMPACTS OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC ON OUR ENERGY SYSTEM
28/10/2020, 4-5pm (AEDT)
This inaugural ERICA webinar, hosted by the Monash Energy Institute, Monash University, explored the impacts of COVID-19 on our energy system.
Australia's leading academics and experts heard about the COVID-19 implications for our electricity and gas market trends along with our energy consumption and the broader energy transition. Prof Rob Hyndman, Professor of Statistics and Head of the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, covered the outcomes of the Datathon Challenge A forum focusing on electricity consumption. Nicola Falcon, GM Forecasting at Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) provided a synopsis on the electricity and gas market trends. Prof Frank Jotzo, Director of the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy at ANU, considered the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the energy use trends, renewable energy futures and energy transition. Government Roadmap priorities and energy system support/intervention will be mentioned. Professor Jacek Jasieniak, ERICA Chair and Associate Dean (Research), Engineering, Monash University, hosted the event
Meet the host
Professor Jacek Jasieniak
ERICA Chair, Associate Dean (Research) Engineering, Monash University
Professor Jacek Jasieniak completed a Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honours) from Flinders University (2003, University Medal) and PhD from the University of Melbourne (2008, Chancellor’s Prize). He then undertook postdoctoral work at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of California Santa Barbara (2011-12). In 2012 he returned to CSIRO, progressing to a Senior Research Scientist and then Group Leader. In 2015 he moved to Monash University to join the Faculty of Engineering and was also appointed Director of the cross-disciplinary Monash Energy Institute. In 2020 he transitioned to become Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Engineering. His research interests include the development of nanomaterials and their use in various next-generation energy technologies.
Meet the speakers
Professor Rob Hyndman
Professor of Statistics, Head of the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics, Monash University
Rob J Hyndman is Professor of Statistics and Head of the Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics at Monash University. From 2005 to 2018 he was Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Forecasting and a Director of the International Institute of Forecasters. Rob is the author of over 200 research papers and 5 books in statistical science. In 2007, he received the Moran medal from the Australian Academy of Science for his contributions to statistical research, especially in the area of statistical forecasting. For over 30 years, Rob has maintained an active consulting practice, assisting hundreds of companies and organisations around the world. He has won awards for his research, teaching, consulting and graduate supervision.
Nicola Falcon
Head of the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Forecasting division
Nicola Falcon heads the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Forecasting division and is responsible for demand and supply forecasting for both electricity and gas. She is also responsible for delivering integrated system modelling and cost-benefit analyses for AEMO’s Integrated System Plan, and reliability assessments to provide decision support for AEMO’s planning and operations teams, and industry. Nicola has a background in operations research and over 20 years’ experience in the energy sector specialising in providing strategic advice on issues relating to electricity markets and systems, backed by robust market modelling, statistical, economic and commercial analysis. Prior to joining AEMO, Nicola was a director of an energy consulting company and led a team responsible for simulating electricity markets in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and Namibia.
Professor Frank Jotzo
Professor and Director, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, ANU
Frank Jotzo is Professor at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, where he directs the Centre for Climate and Energy Policy. He is an environmental economist. His research focuses on policy for climate change and energy, in the context of economic reform and development. Frank Jotzo is joint editor-in-chief of the journal Climate Policy and a Lead Author of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 5th and 6th Assessment Reports. He has been involved in many policy research and advisory exercises and has advised national and state governments, international organisations and businesses. He teaches the Master level courses Domestic Climate Change Policy and Economics and International Climate Change Policy and Economics, supervises PhD students and research projects. Professor Frank Jotzo leads work on recovery from the COVID induced economic slump. The focus of his work is on opportunities for low-carbon investment in Australia’s energy, industry, transport and housing sectors, including through government stimulus packages. He and his team also analyse trends in energy use and emissions and in private sector investment and trends in government policy and investment responses around the world.