b'Education matters science is the growing understandingrelated industries, there were manyto consumer level will be underpinned of the interconnectedness of all systemssubsurface geologists, geophysicists,by digital technologies and computing and managing that interaction. Inhydrogeologists, reservoir engineers,power which will come with its own addition, unexpected intersectionsetc. These were lucrative industriesenergy demands.between disciplines can provide realand very popular. Now, we have very disruptive innovation. Having someonefew geophysics schools left, andIn addition, our world is becoming more who is open to those possibilities can bevery few students thinking aboutand more digital and so much of our very valuable in a research team. what is happening beneath our feet.day-to-day activities are controlled by Consequently, we are in danger ofalgorithms and data flows. So, what does forgetting about the enormous resourcesthat interface between humans and data Its important to remember,contained in the subsurface and thelook like, how does it evolve, and where that we are not simply replacingenormous dependence that the energywill we still need the human ability to the energy we currently use,transition will have on those resources,make judgments on instinct?our energy consumption willparticularly in the mineral industry, butMP: What kind of specialists do we also in other forms of subsurface storage, continue to grow. such as hydrogen, compressed air andneed to ensure a successful hydrogen carbon capture and storage (CCS). economy in Australia?So, yes, recruitment has changed a lotAH: Similar to the previous discussion, and for the better. If you make sure thathydrogen has been around for a very your hiring protocols are robust andThe energy transition is going long time, but not in the volumes we have integrity, I believe you will naturallyto be different for every country,are currently proposing. The knowledge evolve towards having more diversityevery region and every place. required to generate, store, transport, in your teams and then the benefits willutilise and monitor hydrogen at scale start to flow. I lived through the timeAustralia has enormous reserves of theand as an energy carrier is new territory. when teams were almost always non- minerals critical for the energy transition,For example, in the utilisation space, diverse, the same age, the same style,but we need to develop smarter, morehydrogen generated from water can be same background, and experience.sustainable mining technologies, usingcombined with carbon dioxide captured Tracking our progress away from thatfewer toxic chemicals, with a smallerfrom the atmosphere to create new, low model is exciting. I must admit too,footprint and integrated with ecological,emissions alternatives to many things that although I was always employedenvironmental and community values.we use every day, including aviation fuel on merit, there was sometimes a slightIncreasingly, we find people want to beand plastics. However, we cant yet do perception from some people thatinvolved in the decisions being madethis efficiently, making it expensive to maybe I got the job just because I amaround them. Finding ways to provideproduce these alternatives. So, we need a woman. I was proud to be one of theaccessible and relevant information tothe expertise and innovative thinking early women in leadership, but I alwayscommunities is an enormous challengeto scale these technologies, to generate found that attitude rather annoying. for science communicators. Theres ansufficient knowledge, and the confidence MP: What specialists do we need toawful lot of research to be done aroundfor rapid global deployment and climate ensure a smooth transition to cleanthe nexus of all of these interactions. mitigation.energy? So, I guess the short answer to yourMP: How do you think Australia can help AH: I think we are going through notquestions is we need everybody. other countries?only the energy transition, but also anMP: What is the role of digitalisation in education transition. I dont really thinkAH: I think we need to make sure that the process of transition to clean energythe conversation is around energy and the way I was taught is very relevanttransition?now. When you have instant access toon Australias role as a global citizen. The information on your phone, primarily youAH: Digital is an integral part of thetransition that we need to make is around need to know how to find what youreenergy transition. Taking an electricityenergy in all its forms as electrons, as looking for. Once youve found it, youdistribution grid from a few large singlemolecules, maybe even wireless. The need to know how to critique it, to siftpoint sources of electricity (e.g., coalchallenge is to create energy and energy through multiple resources to decidefired power plant, hydro) to distributedflows that are sustainable and affordable what is fact and what is opinion. ChatGPTpoint sources (e.g., rooftop solar panels)for everybody. The energy transition is is a good example. ChatGPT will findis technically very complex. Transforminggoing to be different for every country, you an answer to any question you ask,the grid requires new and sophisticatedevery region and every place. Every but knowing if the answer is correct, isdata management systems, algorithms,country is on its own decarbonisation a different matter. Again, one of the keyand data handling to make sure that theand energy transition journey. Some will qualities we need for a smooth transitionelectrons continue to flow smoothly. be able to transition quickly, others will is open mindedness, willingness totake much longer, depending on their question your own assumptions and theIts important to remember, that weeconomic development, geopolitical flexibility to totally reimagine our energyare not simply replacing the energy wecircumstances, environmental and social systems. currently use, our energy consumptionpressures. What we do know is that for all will continue to grow. For example, ourof us, it will take enormous amounts of The energy transition will also changehomes currently have up to three sourcesinvestment and capital, across the board, the subjects being taught as prioritiesof energy (electricity, gas, petrol) thatin new infrastructure, new technologies, change. For example, when we werewe will replace with just one. Managingnew resources, new regulations and new entirely powered by hydrocarbonthis transition at a system level downskills and expertise.27 PREVIEW OCTOBER 2023'