Australia-China Decarbonisation Roundtable: Green Steel, Green Hydrogen and Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing (online)

27 Jun 2023

ACBC and ANU are pleased to present this thought-provoking roundtable that will explore existing and future collaboration between Australia and China on decarbonisation. Attendees will hear from leading industry and academic experts whose discussion will focus on Green Steel, Green Hydrogen and Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing.

Australia and China’s low-carbon transitions are deeply linked through their energy systems and value chains. Low-carbon transitions open opportunities to establish new energy, resource and processing industries in Australia, on the basis of natural resource endowments and industrial capabilities. It is therefore critical for many Australian businesses, governments and other stakeholders to develop a deep understanding of China’s low-carbon transition.

Join our curated panel of experts to discuss existing and potential collaboration between Australia and China in Green Steel, Green Hydrogen and Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing.

Please note that this event will be live-streamed, however no recording will be available afterwards.

This event is the second in Western Australia of a series of ANU organized events on Australia-China links on low-carbon technology transitions, sponsored by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations. To receive future briefings and notices on future events in this series, sign up by sending an email to jorrit.gosens@anu.edu.au.

ANU has developed a series of policy briefs on Australia-China’s links on low-carbon technology transitions to support the discussion in this workshop.

Download policy briefs here.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Thursday 17th August 2023

Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm AWST / 2:00pm – 7:00pm AEST 

Location: Online – the webinar link will be shared closer to the date

Cost: Attendance is free of charge and made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations

  • Keynote Address
    • Kate Chaney MP, Federal Member for Curtin
    • Keynote Q&A with Prof Howard Bamsey, Honorary Professor in the School of Regulation and Global Governance, ANU
    • Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Energy; Hydrogen Industry; Industrial Relations
  • Session One: Green Steel
    • Wei Qian, General Manager Strategic Planning Department and General Manager Science & Technology Innovation Department, Baowu Resources Co., Ltd
    • David Trotter, Research Portfolio Manager, Minerals Research Institute of WA
    • Nicole Wyche, Industry Decarbonisation Manager (Steel), WWF Australia
    • Moderator: Frank Jotzo, Professor of Environmental Economics and Climate Change Economics, ANU Crawford School of Public Policy
  • Session Two: Green Hydrogen
    • Dr Chenmin He, Assistant Researcher, Zhejiang Carbon Neutral Innovation Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology
    • Robert Hunn, Regional Manager Midwest WA, Fortescue
    • Yolanda Zhao, COO, Infinite Green Energy
    • Emma Aisbett, Associate Professor at the ANU School of Law and Associate Director (Research) for the Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia Pacific Initiative at ANU
    • Moderator: Professor Peta Ashworth, Director, of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition (CIET)
  • Session Three: Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing
    • Raj Surendran, CEO, Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia
    • Tony Fang Dong, CEO, GCL Technology Research Centre USA and President, GCL Solar Materials USA
    • Anthony Sutton, Executive Director, Hydrogen and New Energies, Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
    • Kylie Turner, System Lead, Climateworks Centre’s Sustainable Economies
    • Moderator: Adam Handley, Chair, Resources Subcommittee, ACBC WA and Partner, MinterEllison

Further information regarding the speakers and moderators is available below.

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Event Speakers

Kate Chaney MP

Keynote Address
Kate Chaney is the Independent Federal Member for Curtin. Kate has spoken in Parliament on topics including gambling reform, climate action, intergenerational fairness aged care and tax reform, campaign donation transparency and affordable housing. Kate sits on the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, the House Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs and is the first lower house crossbencher to sit on the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.

Prof Howard Bamsey

Keynote Q&A
Howard Bamsey is Honorary Professor in the School of Regulation and Global Governance at ANU. He is a board member of the Climate Policy Initiative and Climate Works Centre, and was previously Chair of the Global Water Partnership, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund and Director General of the Global Green Growth Institute. He has served as Senior Advisor on Sustainable Development for the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Special Advisor on Green Growth to AusAID. He held several appointments at ambassadorial level in the Australian foreign service.

Hon Bill Johnston MLA

Keynote Address
The Hon. Bill Johnston is Western Australia's Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy, Hydrogen Industry and Industrial Relations. He has been a Minister for the Labor Government since March 2017, and has previously been Minister for Commerce, Corrective Services, Electoral Affairs, and Asian Engagement. So far, his achievements include cutting red-tape for the mining industry, introducing the Work Health and Safety Bill (industrial manslaughter provisions) and assisting in revolutionising Western Australia’s energy system. In Opposition he served as Shadow Minister for State Development and Energy from 2012, and Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum from 2013. He was a Member of the Economics and Industry Standing Committee and Deputy Chair of the Inquiry into Domestic Gas Prices from 2010 to 2011. Prior to entering Parliament, he was the State Secretary of WA Labor from 2001 until 2008, with responsibility for all State and Federal election campaigns.

Wei Qian

Session 1: Green Steel
Mr Wei Qian serves Baowu Resources Co., Ltd as General Manager of Strategic Planning Dept, and General Manager of Science and Technology Innovation Dept. Mr Qian has previously occupied the following positions in his career: General Manager of Resources Research Dept., General Manager of Metal Resources Development Dept. in Baowu Resources Co., Ltd; Deputy General Manager of Asset Management Department in Baosteel International Co., Ltd, General Manager of New Business Development Dept. in Baosteel European Company, Chief Representative of Baosteel Middle East Representative Office, and General Representative (Hong Kong) of Baosteel International Deep Processing Business. Mr Qian has long been engaged in metallurgical industry trade, investment, market development, international operation, strategic planning, science and technology management, decarbonisation and green feed development.

David Trotter

Session 1: Green Steel
David Trotter is a metallurgist who has over 35 years of experience in the iron ore and steel industry in a variety of technology, logistical, and technical sales and marketing roles and understands full value chain in Mining, Sales Operations, and Technology. David has previously chaired an ISO/TC 102 Iron ore and direct reduced iron sub-committee as part of international standard development, been a NED on the HBI Association (HBIA), a predecessor of International Iron Metallics Association (IIMA), the trade association for the various forms of ore-based iron metallics and has been appointed to MRIWA to lead the mineral processing decarbonisation efforts of our organisation. Most recently he has been providing advice on Green Steelmaking Technologies including the use of hydrogen in steelmaking, Transport, and Handling of HBI and DRI and his previous roles include Regional Manager Iron Ore for Rio Tinto Commercial Singapore, Global Iron Ore, and Pellet Feed Consultant, and Head of Global Sales and Trading, Anglo American Singapore. He also has experience in the PGM’s and manganese sectors.

Nicole Wyche

Session 1: Green Steel
Nicole is an industry analyst, geologist, and project manager with diverse experience across the mining and exploration industry. As part of WWF-Australia's climate team working to expedite Australia's transition to renewable energy and low-emissions industries, Nicole works with the iron ore and steel sector in the Asia-Pacific region. WWF-Australia is also developing guidelines to protect nature and equity during decarbonisation, and advocates for a fast, best and just transition.

Frank Jotzo

Moderator Session 1
Frank Jotzo is professor of environmental economics at the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Public Policy, and Head of Energy at the ANU Institute for Climate Energy and Disaster Solutions. His research and project leadership spans policy instruments for emissions reductions, economics of decarbonisation, opportunities in the transition to net zero emissions systems and international dimensions of climate change and energy policy.

Dr. Chenmin He

Session 2: Green Hydrogen
Dr. Chenmin He, Assistant Researcher, Zhejiang Carbon Neutral Innovation Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology Chenmin He has been engaged in climate and energy system analysis for more than 10 years. Her research fields including climate change mitigation and low-carbon target path research, synergistic analysis of climate mitigation and sustainable development goals, energy system analysis, comprehensive evaluation mode, energy and environmental policy assessment, energy technology assessment, etc.

Robert Hunn

Session 2: Green Hydrogen
Rob Hunn is a Regional Manager at Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), where he focuses on driving the development of green hydrogen and renewable energy projects in Western Australia. He has worked at FFI for 3 years of which seen him lead renewable energy and hydrogen projects within Australia and overseas, covering the geothermal, wind and solar energy sectors. With over a decade in the energy industry, Rob has successfully planned, coordinated and managed multiple high-value upstream projects both domestically and internationally. His expertise lies in optimizing resources, reducing costs, and empowering teams, while integrating innovative contract services to safeguard operations throughout the project life cycle. Through his role, Rob actively contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions and shaping Australia's green hydrogen future.

Yolanda Zhao

Session 2: Green Hydrogen
Yolanda is Chief Operating Officer at Infinite Green Energy. Yolanda is a business professional in corporate management, strategy delivery, sales and business development. Highly experienced in delivering business growth in Asia Pacific markets.

Emma Aisbett

Session 2: Green Hydrogen
Emma Aisbett an Associate Professor at the ANU School of Law and Associate Director (Research) for the Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia Pacific initiative at the Australian National University. Emma’s transdisciplinary research centres on collaborations with government, industry, and key international organisations. Within the emerging field of International Green Economy Regulation, Emma leads several projects on certification and embedded emissions accounting.

Peta Ashworth

Moderator: Session 2
Professor Peta Ashworth OAM is the Director, of the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition (CIET). Prior to joining Curtin University, Professor Ashworth was the Director of the Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, and Chair in Sustainable Energy Futures at The University of Queensland (UQ). Professor Ashworth brings over thirty years’ experience working in a range of senior management, consulting and research roles. She was also Chair of the Queensland Hydrogen Taskforce and is a member of CSIRO Hydrogen Mission Advisory Board. Professor Ashworth is a globally-recognised expert in the fields of energy, communication, stakeholder engagement, and technology assessment. For almost two decades, Peta has been researching public attitudes toward climate and energy technologies, including wind, carbon capture and storage (CCS), solar photovoltaic, storage, geothermal and hydrogen.

Raj Surendran

Session 3: Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing
Raj Surendran was appointed CEO of Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia on 19 October. TLEA is a joint venture between global new energy materials company, Tianqi Lithium Corporation, in China, and Australian Miner IGO Ltd. The company owns 100 per cent of the lithium hydroxide refinery, in Kwinana, and 51 per cent of the Talison Lithium Mine, in Greenbushes, Western Australia: the world’s largest and highest quality hard rock lithium deposit. Mr Surendran is a highly experienced senior executive with over 20 years of finance, business development, strategy, project management and commercial leadership experience in Australia. He held senior finance positions with Aurizon, Wesfarmers, BGC Australia and DUET Group (Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline) before joining Tianqi Lithium’s Kwinana operation in 2019 as General Manager Finance. In September 2021, Mr Surendran was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the newly formed TLEA joint venture. As COO, he led the Kwinana team through many milestone accomplishments including the achievement of first battery-grade lithium, in May 2022. Mr Surendran has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia.

Tony Fang Dong

Session 3: Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing
Mr. Tony Fang Dong is CEO of GCL Technology Research Center in the USA and President of GCL Solar Materials USA. Mr. Dong has been a long-time energy expert in traditional and new energy fields, and is very active in energy transformation practice. His more than 30 years energy project experience covers IPP, gas/LNG project, wind power project and manufacture, solar materials R&D/manufacture and solar power project, battery materials R&D and manufacture, power storage manufacture/R&D and project, solar plus project, H2 supply chain development, carbon footprints reduction and trade. Working experience including Sinopac, Enron Corporation, Anglian Water, GCL Technology with various responsibility from R&D, manufacture, project development and execution. Mr. Dong obtained his Bachelor degree in Chemistry from Southeast University in China and Master Degree from McNeese State University in the USA.

Anthony Sutton

Session 3: Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing
Anthony currently leads the Hydrogen and New Energies Division in the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. In this role Anthony’s team supports the State Government’s commitment to transition towards renewable energy sources. This includes: • growing a globally competitive renewable hydrogen industry and driving related downstream processing opportunities, with a focus on the activation of hydrogen hubs and the development of local electrolyser and other hydrogen manufacturing opportunities; and • implementing the Future Battery and Critical Minerals Industries Strategy to grow participation in the global battery and critical minerals supply chains, and promote investment opportunities. Prior to this role, Anthony led the environmental impact assessment and policy services to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). His experience in the Western Australian public sector and knowledge of the natural environment ensured the EPA was provided with quality advice to enable sustainable development in the state. Anthony has held senior roles in the public service for 25 years, including as the independent Appeals Convenor for three years. He holds a Master of Science (Environmental Science) and Graduate Certificate in Business.

Kylie Turner

Session 3: Critical Minerals & Downstream Processing
Kylie Turner leads Climateworks Centre's Sustainable Economies system team, focusing on how we can accelerate systems change in line with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees in national and sub-national economies. She was most recently the program impact manager for the Australian Industry Energy Transitions Initiative, working with heavy industry, finance companies and government to develop decarbonisation pathways aligned to limiting warming to 1.5℃. Kylie has worked in government, business, and the not-for-profit sector in public affairs roles, focusing on stakeholder engagement. Kylie holds a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration with RMIT and is currently studying for a Masters in Business Administration, also with RMIT.

Adam Handley

Moderator: Session 3
Adam is a Partner with more than 30 years' experience at leading AsiaPacific law firm MinterEllison, and is the Leader of MinterEllison’s China Team. He specialises in the energy and resources sector in particular, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions in the mining industry, and is widely regarded as one of the leading Australian legal advisers for major foreign government and non-government investors into Australia, particularly those from China. He has advised on many notable Chinese trade and investment transactions between Australia and China and has been ranked by Chambers Asia as a "China Expert". He has a significant track record in advising Federal and State Governments on major regulatory and commercial projects. Adam is the past President of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) Western Australia branch, and was previously Vice-President of the ACBC National Board.