The term ‘social licence to operate’ is well known in the mining and minerals industry having been used for close to two decades. It conjures up ideas of David and Goliath battles – small town communities staging resistance against powerful multinational companies.

For decades, coal fired generation has been at the centre of Australian electricity generation, providing the inertia that underpins the stable operation of our grid. Coal fired generation has, like a clock, provided the mechanism that keeps our grid in sync over 40,000 km of our electricity system from Queensland to South Australia.

Australia can readily achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity. Through the use of solar photovoltaics and wind energy the country could achieve rapid decarbonisation. Professor Blakers will share details of a recent audit completed by his team that showed 22,000 potential sites across Australia for pumped hydro energy storage.

A panel of energy researchers and industry representatives will give their perspectives on integrating renewables into the grid, followed by a Q&A session and informal discussion.