University of WA’s energy innovation beneath the waves | The West Australian
The University of WA is leading the world in developing technology that is paving the way for cleaner, sustainable energy production.
Research under way at UWA is expected to not only help reduce global carbon emissions as LNG replaces coal for electricity generation in developing countries, but also support WA’s competitiveness in oil and gas production over the coming decades, potentially creating thousands of jobs for the State.
UWA’s Fluid Sciences and Resources research cluster has earned $20 million in research investment, patented nine technologies and developed two spin-off commercialisations in its first 15 years. The team leading the work has grown from one to 50 people, working in collaboration with State Government, industry and national and international academic partners.
Its upstream and downstream technological integrations are estimated to be worth more than $200 million to the economy and have helped unlock new assets such as the Greater Enfield Development, off the coast of Exmouth.
UWA is also developing the world’s first microscale LNG plant, to be built as part of the new LNG Futures Facility, which will be used for integrated research and education.
Supported by State Government funding of $10 million, UWA says the facility’s operations has the potential to create 1400 jobs and inject $1 billion into the State economy.
Professor Zach Aman, above left,who heads the Centre for Long Subsea Tiebacks driving research into new subsea engineering technologies for offshore oil and gas production, said the pilot-scale flow loops and planned microscale LNG facility were game changers not just for the university but also for the industry.
“These tools provide world-first training opportunities for WA students in the classroom, while also unlocking new technologies and insights to support our local industry,” Professor Aman said.
“It’s going to be a very interesting decade ahead as we position Perth as a global hub for LNG development. Now that we have built the capacity, we’re keen to bring together new technologies that will unlock future value and jobs for the region.”
Professor Eric May, above right, led the development process through the Centre for LNG Futures.
“The LNG Futures facility means that companies in WA, Australia or even on the other side of the world can test new technology in a live environment and see the results of that testing online in real time,” Professor May said.
Professor Aman said industry partners, including Woodside and Chevron, had been integral to connecting the classroom with the field.