University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ) is recognised as one of Australia’s premier learning and research institutions, and ranks in the world’s top one percent of universities. UQ’s breadth of experience ranges from engineering, material sciences and mining research, to social policy, economics, and environment. In 2011 UQ launched the Energy Initiative to integrate its strengths and diversity in energy research.
Energy research focuses on transforming traditional energy technologies and systems while supporting renewable energy technologies and the development of new concepts and emerging solutions. Complementing this technology research, UQ is developing significant programs mapping social change and the economic and environmental impact of the new energy era.
The UQ Energy Initiative brings together the following research categories, spanning four faculties and six institutes:
- Innovations - supporting research in energy innovations to supplement traditional energy supplies, including solar energy, biofuel research and geothermal energy research.
- Transformations - advancing current energy systems, including coal seam gas, low emission coal technology, minerals processing & energy reduction, and power engineering.
- Enabling Technologies – developing fundamental tools and concepts to enable the innovation and transformation of energy systems, including nanotechnology.
- Social, Economic and Environmental Research - complementing developing technologies by conducting underlying economic, social and environmental research in the fields of energy economics and modelling, environmental research in the minerals industry and social responsibility in mining.
A key focus of the UQ Energy Initiative is to facilitate engagement between the university’s best researchers and leaders in industry and government to inform, guide and drive our energy future through scientific discovery and technological innovation.
