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2025 Energy research showcase

In June 2025, the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition and Curtin Research Partnerships hosted the inaugural Energy Research Showcase.  

From carbon accounting to critical minerals to community engagement, the event included a broad range of researchers working on the key aspects of the energy transition. The showcase highlighted our world-leading energy capabilities and how Curtin provides the expertise needed by industry and government to advance the energy transition.

This event will featured a series of short presentations from Curtin’s leading researchers. Individual presentations are linked to each researcher’s profile below.

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Session 1: The future of fuel
9:25 am–10:10 am

Session 1: The future of fuel

This session will explore cutting-edge research shaping the future of low-carbon energy through advancements in green diesel, sustainable aviation fuel, and infrastructure resilience.
Researchers will present innovative methods for producing cleaner, more sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels and enhancing the durability and safety of energy systems essential to the transition to cleaner fuels.
Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive approach to building a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Associate Professor Tejas Bhatelia

The role of process intensification in decarbonisation
Associate Professor Bhatelia is Deputy Head of School (Chemical Engineering) at Curtin University, Western Australia. Dr Bhatelia is an established Research Academic working on several demand-driven, high impact research projects in the area of decarbonization, energy transition, process intensification, process modelling and simulation. He has over 15 years of research experience with over 50 scientific contributions. He has received several awards, including the 2020 Research Engagement and Impact Award, finalist for STEM Award 2019, finalist for Premiers Science Award 2021, and he was also an overall winner of Curtin Innovation Award 2019.

Dr Laure Braconnier

Green diesel
Dr Braconnier is a researcher at Curtin University, Western Australia, with a strong background in material science and catalysis. She is part of the process intensification and innovation research group in the Chemical Engineering discipline. Her work focuses on the production of fuels using CO2 as a feedstock and various processes such as bi-reforming, reverse water-gas-shift, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and hydrocracking.

Associate Professor Kod Pojtanabuntoeng

Materials selection and corrosion management in energy transport
Thunyaluk (Kod) Pojtanabuntoeng is the Woodside and Chevron Chair in Materials and Corrosion Engineering at Curtin University. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Ohio University and an MSc in Petroleum Technology from Chulalongkorn University. Her research focuses on corrosion in oil and gas operation, including CO2 corrosion, Top-of-the-Line corrosion (TLC), and corrosion under insulation (CUI). Since joining Curtin in 2012, she has led several industry-funded projects addressing practical corrosion challenges and is an active member of the Australasian Corrosion Association. She advocates for collaboration between academia and industry in corrosion science and engineering.
Session 2: Critical minerals for transition
10:10 am–10:55 am

Session 2: Critical minerals for transition

Critical minerals are key for the production of the renewable energy technologies we need to get to net zero. Silica, lithium, cobalt, nickel and other minerals are necessary for the production of batteries, solar panels and more. Without these critical minerals, we will struggle to reach net zero. But how can we ensure that these minerals are used an extracted effectively and responsibly? In this session, researchers explore the role of critical minerals, how we use them and how to ensure that the extraction and ownership of critical minerals is fair.

Associate Professor Richard Diaz Alorro

Technospheric mining of critical and strategic minerals for energy transition
Associate Professor Richard Diaz Alorro is a highly experienced academic in the fields of Metallurgical Engineering, and Resources and Geo-Environmental Engineering. His research expertise spans leaching and separation technologies, technospheric mining, resource recycling, processing of critical and strategic metals, as well as waste treatment and environmental remediation.

Dr Lina Hockaday

Solar thermal treatment of ores and minerals
Lina has 18 years of pyrometallurgical research experience after obtaining her B. Chem Eng and M.Sc. in extractive metallurgy. From 2002 to 2010, she worked on various pyrometallurgical pilot plant projects at Mintek, South Africa. Since 2015, her focus has shifted to greener processing and applications of concentrating solar energy in mineral processing. In 2023, she completed her PhD in Mech Eng on “Solar Thermal Treatment of Manganese Ores.” Dr Hockaday relocated to Perth in 2021 and joined Curtin University in 2022 as a senior engineer and postdoctoral research fellow, focusing on projects for low-carbon iron ore upgrading.

Desire Runganga

Rethinking mineral criticality
Desire Runganga is a PhD candidate at the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition. His PhD focuses on a comparative analysis of global critical minerals assessments, policies, narratives, and strategies in the context of an urgently needed energy transition. With a background in mining engineering, mineral economics, and resource law, his work explores policy and industry responses to critical mineral disruptions. He is funded by CRC TiME and the Resources, Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer. His previous academic work has been supported by the European Commission, the South African NRF, the Sir William Solomon Grant, and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

Session 3: Solving storage solutions
11:25 am–12:25 pm

Session 3: Solving storage solutions

Generating clean energy is just one piece of the energy transition puzzle – the next step is working how to store energy effectively. Our researchers are investigating a range of energy storage options and exploring how to make them fit for purpose. In this session, researchers will explore and discuss options including batteries, fuel cells, solar cells, hydrogen storage materials (and hydrogen production), providing insights into the most efficient and effective ways to store the energy we need to ensure reliable supply.

Dr Terry Humphries

Hydrogen-rich materials for energy storage applications
Terry is a Senior Researcher at Curtin University. He has been researching hydrogen and hydrogen storage materials for over 17 years. Terry has developed several hydrogen storage materials and along with the Hydrogen Storage Research Group has developed these for commercial applications including thermal batteries and solid-state hydrogen storage materials. The team has recently won the 2022 Curtinnovation Award for “Hydrogen export as a powder” and a 2019 Curtinnovation award for “Thermal Batteries”.

Dr Jiayi Tang

Green hydrogen electrolysis from untreated water
Jiayi has a background as an R&D engineer specialising in the development of hydrogen fuel cell stacks for vehicle applications. Her research interests lie in establishing a zero-carbon emission loop through the integration of green hydrogen production and utilisation within industrial processes.

Professor Zongping Shao

Solid-state batteries
Dr Zongping Shao is a John Curtin Distinguished Professor at the WA School of Mines, Curtin University. His research focuses on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, including solar cells, batteries, fuel cells and water splitting.

Dr Xiaomin Xu

Energy materials
Dr Xiaomin Xu is a Senior Lecturer at WA School of Mines, Curtin University. His research focuses on the development of functional materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion such as CO2 conversion and hydrogen production. He is a DECRA Fellow, Highly Cited Researcher, and recipient of multiple early-career awards.
Session 4: Using finance to catalyse transition
12:20 pm–1:15 pm

Session 4: Using finance to catalyse transition

Fast and effective transition to net zero is critical – but how do we pay for it? In this session, researchers will explore the role of finance and funding for energy transition. From infrastructure costs to carbon markets and tech commercialisation to angel investors, financing plays a crucial role in making transition a reality and setting the pace of change.

Professor Helen Cabalu

Investment in energy infrastructure
Helen Cabalu is a Professor of Economics who specialises in international trade, economic development, and energy policy. She conducts research and consults for global organisations, the Australian government, and resource companies on policy evaluation, including the impact of carbon taxes, energy efficiency measures, and changes in the energy mix of economies.

Associate Professor Lien Duong

Carbon markets
Dr Lien Duong is a Chartered Accountant and an Associate Professor at the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Curtin University. Her research focuses on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), sustainability, and capital markets. Associate Professor Duong has secured multi-million-dollar competitive funding from Australian government on greenhouse gas reporting, carbon markets, energy transition, net-zero data and ESG. She has played a leading role in successfully implementing specialised capacity-building programs for businesses and government organisations in both Australia and Vietnam.

Jasper Bouwmeester

Tech commercialisation
Jasper Bouwmeester is an entrepreneur & engineer focused on challenges in industrial settings. After earning an MSc in Aerospace Engineering (TU Delft) and an MBA (Curtin University), he held technical and leadership roles at DSM, Technip and ICC before founding Fiberneering, a large-scale 3D-printing firm with proprietary technology. He now spearheads the commercialization of SpiroPak, a new smaller and more cost-effective Carbon Capture system utilizing patented high-efficiency internals.

Jason McFarlane

GreenTech Hub
Jason McFarlane is an economic strategist and systems thinker with over 20 years of experience supporting innovation, regional development and sustainability transitions across Australia. He has advised governments, industry and communities on initiatives spanning economic development, decarbonisation, advanced manufacturing and strategic infrastructure investment.
Session 5: Governance, communities and the energy transition
2:00pm–2:45pm

Session 5: Governance, communities and the energy transition

Technology is only one part of the energy transition – for us to succeed, it is critical to work with the communities that will host renewable energy infrastructure. A truly successful transition must be equitable and consider the unique needs of individual communities. This session will focus on regional, remote and First Nations communities, with researchers sharing their findings about community needs and integrating them into decision making processes.

Associate Professor Raquel Tardin Coelho

Cumulative effects on regional communities
Raquel is an expert member of the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes – UNESCO. She brings extensive experience in Systemic Landscape Planning and Design, with a strong focus on BioCultural systems. Her work aims to develop sustainable and resilient solutions through the engagement of local and Traditional communities, co-creating evidence to support inclusive dialogue and action. With professional experience spanning Australia, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, Raquel offers a multicultural perspective that enriches her ability to address both national and international challenges.

John Southalan

Resources and energy law and governance
John is a mediator, barrister and academic whose work focusses on resources regulation and governance. With over 20 years’ experience advising governments, Indigenous groups, and corporations (in Australia and overseas), he combines practical expertise with scholarly contributions. His work spans mining law, human rights, and dispute resolution. John holds an MBA in Mineral Resource Management, an LLB and mediation and teaching qualifications.

Session 6: Designing a sustainable future
2:45 pm–3:30 pm

Session 6: Designing a sustainable future

This session will explore cutting-edge research and practical strategies for designing sustainable urban futures, with a focus on achieving net zero outcomes at the precinct scale. Given that urban centres contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, they offer an ideal scale for testing and implementing innovative solutions such as solar PV, battery storage, electric vehicles, and integrated governance models. Effective planning and factoring in decommissioning of infrastructure is also key to ensure that a sustainable future is designed with a circular economy in mind.

Professor Josh Byrne

Pathways to Net Zero Precincts
Josh Byrne is an environmental scientist and urban design professional with a national profile as a consultant, researcher and communicator in urban sustainability. His approach is leadership through demonstration by engaging in projects that provide opportunities to test innovation, build capacity and share learnings with stakeholders and the wider community.

Faz Ikram

Net Zero urban design and regional planning
Faz Ikram is a multidisciplinary professional with over 18 years of experience across finance, valuation, taxation, and sustainability. He holds an MBA and global professional designations such as FCMA and CPA Australia. Faz is currently completing a PhD in Urban Design and Financial Analysis, focusing on Net Zero Precincts and scenario-based planning tools such as ET-Oz. His work integrates financial modelling, carbon accounting, and urban policy to support climate-aligned property development. Faz has worked in both Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan advising on strategic planning, ESG investment, and value capture mechanisms for sustainable urban futures.

Dr Mohammad Ali

Circular economy and decommissioning
Dr Ali is an Associate Lecturer in the Curtin Law School, a sole Australian legal practitioner, and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Throughout his professional career, he has engaged with the law in his capacity as legal practitioner, judge, and academic. Along with a PhD from Curtin Law School, Curtin University, he holds a Master of Human Rights Laws and Policies from the University of New South Wales, Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

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