AMN - CONFERENCE: The future of clean energy

Industry experts will discuss how they are managing energy changes and gaining insights on Australia’s critical mineral supply as a part of this year’s International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Melbourne next week.

Clean and future energy strategies and Australia’s critical minerals supply are key topics for the 2019 conference, from October 29-31, providing attendees with the opportunity to learn from industry leaders.

As rising energy costs and changing perspectives on sustainability and the environment impact global mining operations, discussions on the future of clean energy are essential for all industry professionals.

There has been support from mining, METS, government and industry associations collaborating on ways to manage and overcome issues surrounding Australia’s energy mix.

New partnerships are being developed that focus on clean and alternative energy solutions, coupled with strong government backing for exploration, growth and investment in areas such as renewables and the energy mix.

At this year’s conference, attendees can learn how large-scale hybrid systems are affecting mining operations and overall energy-efficient goals in a presentation by juwi Renewable Energy’s Global Head of Hybrid David Manning as a part of the Energy session.

SIMEC Energy Australia chief executive Marc Barrington will discuss the company’s renewable focuses for 2020 and beyond.

“The price of energy is a critical input cost in the development of the mining and resources sector in Australia,” Barrington said. “The National Electricity Market (NEM) is transitioning from fossil-fuel dominated supply to one of renewables backed with storage technologies and is daily dealing with the ‘energy trilemma’ – delivering emissions and price reductions as well as improving reliability.

“This transition is creating input cost uncertainty.

“Mining and resource sector companies can play a critical role in the NEM transition through partnering with businesses such as SIMEC and applying a strategic focus on electricity procurement to access better input cost solutions.

“SIMEC is seeking to create ‘win-win’ customer outcomes and is keen to work closely with all of our customers to achieve this and to enable crucial demand-side response capabilities.

“Securing demand response can reduce the price of electricity as well as improve NEM reliability.”

Barrington remains confident that strategic procurement “can secure energy price outcomes at globally competitive prices for Australian businesses trying to compete on the world stage”.

The Energy session will enable professionals to gain insights on what funding and investments are going into the development and deployment of clean energy solutions as well as benefit from government and industry insights into the supply of critical minerals in Australia.

The International Mining and Resources Conference will be held from October 29–31 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Download the program and get more information at https://imarcmelbourne.com