Nuclear: Is Australia missing the boat?

A Queenslander invents a world leading nuclear microreactor, but it's illegal to build it here so it will be built in the USA. Why? Sometimes you need an outsider to understand why you do what you do, and to help you to change. An outsider like Professor Jacopo Buongiorno. Professor Buongiorno is an expert in nuclear energy from the renowned Massuchusett's Institute of Technology in the USA, currently on sabbaticcal in Australia where he is Visiting Professor at the UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre in Sydney. His presentation will cover the latest technologies, including the micro-reactor design of Deployable Energies, conceived in Queensland, but being built in the USA. This technology aims to lower costs so that electricity would cost no more than 7 cents per KWh (current retail cost in Brisbane currently around 30 cents per KWh). Capacity for this event is 150. Professor Buongiorno's speech will be at 6:00 followed by questions. At 7:30 for those who want more detail we will adjourn to the Olivia room for a more intimate panel discussion where Professor Buongiorno will be joined by Professor Stephen Wilson, author of What would be requiredfor nuclear energy plants to be operating in Australia from the 2030s and Dr Stuart Ballantyne, Australian naval architect who has design cargo ships for nuclear power. Numbers are limited to 50. Professor Buongiorno's presentation will cost $35 for the general public, $30 for AIP and LNP members and $25 concessions (which includes a welcome drink). Admission to the dinner, strictly limited to 50, will include the seminar and cost a total of $165 general public, $160 AIP and LNP members, and $150 concessions. The dinner includes two courses and wine and beer. More about our experts. Professor Jacopo Buongiorno One of the world’s foremost nuclear engineers, Professor Jacopo Buongiorno is internationally recognised for his work on reactor safety, advanced nuclear technologies and the future of nuclear energy. A member of the US National Academy of Engineering, he has advised governments and industry on the contribution nuclear power can make to reliable, affordable and low-emissions energy. Professor Buongiorno is the Battelle Energy Alliance Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT, where he directs both the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems and the science and technology program of the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory. Currently a Visiting Professor at UNSW’s Nuclear Innovation Centre, he holds nuclear engineering degrees from Milan’s Polytechnic University and MIT. Professor Stephen Wilson A leading Australian energy economist, Professor Stephen Wilson has more than 30 years’ experience working across electricity, gas, resources and transport in over 30 countries. He led the University of Queensland study examining what would be required for nuclear power plants to be operating in Australia from the 2030s. Professor Wilson is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland and a former Head of its Centre for Energy Futures. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer at the University of Melbourne, he later studied economics in London and has advised governments, regulators, financial institutions and major energy and resources companies internationally. Dr Stuart Ballantyne An internationally recognised naval architect, Dr Stuart Ballantyne has spent five decades designing, building and operating innovative commercial vessels. His work spans ferries, cargo ships, transhipment systems and military vessels, with Sea Transport designs operating in 47 countries. He is now advancing the development of floating microreactor power plants for remote industries and communities. Dr Ballantyne is Executive Chairman and founder of Sea Transport Corporation, which he established in 1976. A Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, he holds a Master of Philosophy in Naval Architecture from Scotland’s University of Strathclyde, which awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Science in recognition of his services to the international maritime industry.