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Seminars

 

ECSE Departmental Research Seminars

Title: Energy Crisis, Climate Change and How Distributed Generation Technologies Can Help

Speaker: A Zahedi

Solar Photovoltaic Energy Applications Research Group, E&CSE, Monash University

Abstract:

The current major energy sources are oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. These energy sources are used to cover industrial, commercial & residential, and transportation needs as well as for electricity generation.

A quick look at the level of production and consumption of these energy sources compared with the amount of proven reserves of these sources, one can observe that these sources will be available in the future only for a short period of time.

According to OPEC Annual Report-2003, oil, for example, is produced at the level of more than 25 billion barrels per year. According to the same source the world proven crude oil reserve is about 1,140 billion barrels. This means that consuming oil at the world current level will last for about another 40 years.

Comparing the level of current consumption of natural gas with the proven natural gas reserve, we can come to the similar figure of 60 years for the remaining life of the world natural gas.

There are some climate changes such as global warming involved with consumption of these fossil fuels. So based on two facts human being can not fully rely on these fuels. One fact is that these sources have limited lifetime, and the other fact is that climate change as a result of consumption of these fuels is a real issue of concern.

An statement made by the former Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia says that “The stone age came to an end, not for lack of stone, oil age will end but not for lack of oil”. So one can conclude that even if the fossil fuels would last for ever, but related environmental problems would prevent us using them.

The objective of this seminar is to review the current level of fossil fuel energy consumption worldwide and the environmental problems associated with consumption of these fuels.

A further objective is to look at the options other than fossil fuels for energy (electricity) production.

Finally, this seminar will present the level of contribution (short term & long term) that major renewable sources of energy such and solar photovoltaic, wind energy and so on can make in the global energy mix.

About the speaker:

Dr. Zahedi holds a Bachelor degree in electrical engineering from Teheran Polytechnic (Iran), a Masters degree in nuclear engineering from Teheran University, and a Masters degree in electrical engineering and a PhD degree both from Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) in Germany.

Dr. Zahedi has six years industrial experience in various power plants and sixteen years experience in university teaching and research. He is a senior lecturer at Monash University and is currently lecturing in energy systems. He is the author of four books and the author/co-author of more than 125 technical papers. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (SMIEEE) and member of the World Renewable Energy COUNCIL and group leader of the solar PV energy applications research group (SEARG).

Dr Zahedi’s main research interest is in the area of sustainable energy supply and distributed generation technologies. He is currently involved in research projects relating to the applications of solar photovoltaic energy systems, building integrated solar photovoltaic (BIPV) as well as integration of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems for residential and commercial uses. His research group has recently developed a computer program for optimum sizing, performance prediction and cost estimation of solar photovoltaic hybrid energy systems of any applications. This program has attracted interest from Australian telecommunication companies.


 
Visitors Information
A map of the Clayton Campus of Monash University indicates the venue, Building 72, and visitor parking on the top floor of the North carpark, Building 76.

Limited reserved parking spaces are available for visitors attending the seminar. (Requests for parking should be made in advance)