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Federal Government announces UOW as headquarters for energy pipeline research
The Australian community is facing a substantial challenge because of increasing financial and carbon constraints that place a clear focus on future energy supplies. Energy pipelines are critical to this future.
In light of this situation, the Federal Government has announced the establishment of a $17.5 million Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) which will have its headquarters at the University of Wollongong. Funding will be provided over a 10-year period.
There are 30,000km of high pressure natural gas transmission pipelines in Australia with a replacement cost of about $40 billion. The energy supplied has a value of $12 billion, is about 22% of Australia’s energy needs, and is more than the combined output of all electricity generators in Australia.
Australia's energy pipeline network would not be able to support the country’s economic prosperity, in a carbon and finance constrained future, unless new technologies were created to extend the life of the existing ageing network, according to the CRC supporters in their proposal to the Federal Government.
They argued the need to build new pipelines with technologies that are unique to Australia, in order to meet emerging challenges highlighting how new pipelines for natural gas and other energy gases would be required in the transition to a cleaner, renewable future.
Key elements of the challenge facing Australian industry were how to safely extend the life of the existing pipeline network and build pipelines for new energy gases, in the context of urbanisation of pipeline locations and a shortage of relevant domestic engineering skills.
The submission pointed out how imported pipeline technology did not suit the Australian environment and there was the need to meet these challenges while limiting the call on investment and maximising productivity of pipeline construction and energy delivery.
The CRC will undertake research and provide education and training in four programs covering more productive materials, life extension and asset management, design, and public safety and security of supply.
The submission highlighted how these activities will result in cheaper, safer, more efficient pipelines that will provide more competitive energy costs and security of supply of energy. Large cost savings will arise from limiting or deferring capital expenditure arising from the life extension program.
Australian jobs and manufacturing infrastructure will be secured by making Australian manufacture of steel and pipe sustainable as a result of new standards developed by the CRC, according to the CRC proposal to the Federal Government.
The users of the research will be represented by the Australian Pipeline Industry Research and Standards Committee which has 43 contracted company members across the supply chain for energy pipelines. The researchers will be UOW, the Australian National University, University of Adelaide and Monash University.
For further information contact Professor Chris Cook on (02) 4221 3062 or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Judy Raper on (02) 4221 3915.