Professor Andrew Blakers 

Research highlights

The Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), led by The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in collaboration with ANU and other institutions, received $45 million over the next eight years to ensure the nation continues to be a world leader in the development and deployment of cutting-edge solar technology, including the next iteration of solar panels.

See ANU News Story: $45m injection to electrify innovation in Aussie solar tech

Public policy initiatives

26/5/22: Extensive quoting in the “Inquiry into Renewable Energy in Victoria” (PDF 4.98MB)

30/6/22: Heavily quoted in a report from the ACT Legislative Assembly, “Inquiry into renewable energy innovation in the ACT” (PDF 1.03MB)

28/3/22: Follow up advice to the Senate Environment & Communications Committee for its “Inquiry into oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin” (PDF 207KB)

Outreach

• The Conversation: 5 articles in 2022 with combined 570,000 readers
• Full text downloads of journal papers during 2022 = 34,000
• 111 outreach activities
• Invited to deliver a talk to the Philippines UPLB Energy Forum 2022
• Invited to participate in a discussion on “Electric Future” at WOMADelaide
• Moderator at ANU Solar Oration 2022: Drew Clarke AO

Professor Andrew Bakers with Drew Clarke AO at ANU Solar Oration 2022

Media

• Ask Fuzzy: Solar panels reflect light and heat. Do they increase global warming and contribute to increased local temperatures?, The Canberra Times, 23 October. 
• There’s a huge surge in solar production under way – and Australia could show the world how to use it, Renew Economy, 23 September.
• There’s a huge surge in solar production under way – and Australia could show the world how to use it, The Conversation, 22 September.
• Will renewables cost more?, Origin Energy Podcast "So Watt", 20 September.
• Dramatic changes in Australia illustrate the future of the American electricity system, Energy Central, 5 July.
• To triple transmission capacity, landowners and neighbours need to be paid more, Renew Economy, 31 May. 
• Solar energy duet and water-based 'battery' could be Indonesia's most reliable option for Indonesia's energy transition, The Conversation, 26 May
• Renewables snapshot: Are we on track to decarbonise the globe?, Renew Economy, 16 May. 
• Texas can become the largest exporter of solar and wind power to other states if it strongly interconnects. How can connection-phobia be overcome?, Energy Central, 10 May.
• Renewables in 2021, Energy Central, 28 April. 
• Australia plans to be a big green hydrogen exporter to Asian markets – but they don’t need it, Renew Economy, 4 April. 
• Australia plans to be a big green hydrogen exporter to Asian markets – but they don’t need it, The Conversation, 4 April. 
• 100% renewable energy in Japan, Energy Central, 15 March. 
• Texas: the (potential) renewable energy superstate, Energy Central, 8 February.

Dr Hieu Nguyen

Awards and honours

Dr Hieu Nguyen was awarded the 2021 Vietnam Golden Globe Awards in Science & Technology for Early-Career Scientists (the most prestigious national honour for young scientists), recognised for his research into new material technologies and his contributions to the development of advanced characterisation techniques for solar energy devices.

Dr Hieu Nguyen was also selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Faces of Vietnam 2021 (the highest honour for Vietnamese citizens ≤35 years old from the Prime Minister of Vietnam), recognised in the category of Scientific Research and Innovation for his work in solar energy devices.