Renewable Energy experts

Dr Martin Anda

Sustainable development, governance and environmental technology in Australian Indigenous communities

Environmental engineer Dr Martin Anda is an expert in liquid and solid waste recycling, and energy efficiency in buildings and human settlements.

He says that if only 10 per cent of Perth’s homes were eco-renovated with insulation and solar panels, the equivalent of one new coal or gas-fired power station could be saved and demand reduced on existing ones.

Dr Anda’s research through the Environmental Technology Centre and Remote Area Developments Group is linked to the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, the Sustainable Tourism CRC, Environmental Biotechnology CRC and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

Professor Michael Borowitzka

Biofuels from algae, microalgae production and algae management

Professor Michael Borowitzka oversees an international project to turn algae into affordable, clean fuel.

He is Director of the Algae Research Group and Biofuels Manager of Murdoch’s Renewable Energy Research Institute.

Professor Borowitzka helped develop the largest microalgae production plant in the world, the Dunaliella salina plant at Hutt Lagoon in Western Australia.

Professor David Harries

Renewable energy technologies, energy policy, geothermal

An internationally renowned expert in renewable energy and energy efficiency, Professor David Harries conducts major social research surveys on energy use, the development of minimum energy performance standards for appliances, and the development and operation of laboratories for testing renewable energy technologies and equipment.

He is Murdoch University’s Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies, and was previously the Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Development Office in Western Australia and ran the Office of Energy in Tasmania, where he prepared the State’s gas legislation.

Professor Philip Jennings

Renewable energy research and photovoltaics

Murdoch’s Professor of Physics and Energy Studies, Philip Jennings is an expert in photovoltaics, particularly amorphous silicon solar cells and attempts to improve their efficiency and stability, and has been involved in renewable energy research and education for more than 25 years, leading a range of educational programs in renewable energy at the University.

Professor Jennings is the former president of the Conservation Council, current president of the Wetlands Conservation Society, President of the Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre and Secretary of the Pollution Action Network

He is also active in the voluntary conservation movement, having held various positions with the Conservation Council of Western Australia and its affiliated groups.

He also represents the Conservation Council on the Cockburn Sound Management Council and the Air Quality Coordinating Committee, and is the Chair of the Beeliar Regional Park Community Advisory Committee.

Dr Katrina O'Mara

Renewable energy; sustainability of new technologies and energy education

Dr Jonathan Whale

Renewable wind energy and wind turbine testing

Dr Jonathan Whale is Technical Director of Australia’s National Small Wind Turbine Test Centre, operating out of Murdoch’s Research Institute for Sustainable Energy.

The federally-funded centre is the only one of its kind in Australia and a one-stop-shop for wind turbine certification, standards and training.

Dr Whale works with councils such as the City of Melville to position small wind turbines on rooves, funded by the WA Sustainable Energy Development Office.

He has worked internationally including projects with the International Energy Agency and US National Renewable Energy Laboratory.