2019 Luxton Memorial Lecture: Avoiding the winner's curse: How to manage Australia's energy transition

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Dr Alex Wonhas, Chief System Design and Engineering Officer, the Australian Energy Market Operator will presents the 2019 Luxton Memorial Lecture, "Avoiding the winner's curse: How to manage Australia's energy Transition”.

Energy systems around the world are transforming.

The share of large-scale and distributed renewable, asynchronous generators grows at an unprecedented rate. South Australia is leading the world in many dimensions of this transition. However, leadership can come at a price.

Leaders are often the first to encounter and (then hopefully overcome) obstacles along the way.

This lecture will explore how the laws of physics and economics can help (South) Australia avoid the ‘winner’s curse’ by addressing:

  • Why the energy transition is unavoidable and, if implemented well, can lead to affordable, reliable and lower emissions energy
  • How to minimise customer prices during the transition
  • How to maintain security and reliability - from milliseconds right through to decades
  • Why we can’t avoid making difficult decisions and how we can make long-term choices, even if the future is uncertain.

This free public lecture is brought to you by the Centre for Energy Technology.

When: Thursday 21 November, 5.30pm - 7pm
Where: The Braggs Lecture Theatre

Register today

About the speaker

Dr Alex Wonhas

Dr Alex Wonhas joined the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) as Chief System Design & Engineering Officer in January 2019, and is responsible for delivering AEMO’s expanded focus on system design, development and engineering.

Prior to this, Alex had over 15 years of experience in the energy sector, most recently from international engineering and advisory firm Aurecon, where he was Managing Director Energy, Resources and Manufacturing and especially focused on growing energy and resources advisory services to supplement Aurecon’s traditional engineering business.

Before Aurecon, Alex was the Executive Director responsible for CSIRO’s Environment, Energy and Resources research and development.

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