Nanotechnology and Energy Dialogue Appendices
Nanotechnology and Energy Dialogue Appendices .......................................... 1
Appendix A – preliminary documents ................................................................. 2
Participant Information Sheet ........................................................................... 2
Eventbrite site ...................................................................................................... 3
Nanotechnology and Energy Dialogue consent form .................................... 4
Appendix B – participants ..................................................................................... 5
Appendix C – Engagement results ...................................................................... 6
Energy issues session ......................................................................................... 6
Problem Definition session ................................................................................ 9
Problem solutions .............................................................................................. 12
Nanotechnology and the energy sector session .......................................... 18
Appendix D – Survey written responses .......................................................... 23
Appendix E – FoE media release ........................................................................ 28
1
Appendix A – preliminary documents
Participant Information Sheet
Project title: Nanotechnology and Energy Dialogue
Organiser: National Enabling Technologies Strategy – Public Awareness and Community
Engagement Program (NETS-PACE) – Department of Industry, Innovation, Science,
Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE)
Contact: Dr Wendy Russell
Ph: 02 6276 1803
E: wendy.russell@innovation.gov.au
This dialogue is a community engagement project under the NETS-PACE program within
DIISRTE. NETS-PACE has recently launched the STEP (Science & Technology
Engagement Pathways) community engagement framework, which seeks to engage a range
of stakeholders and the wider community in discussions about emerging technology areas
such as nanotechnology and biotechnology. One of the aims of STEP is to provide channels
for input into decision making about these new technologies. More information about STEP
can be found at: www.innovation.gov.au/step.
This dialogue is a STEP engagement project. The objectives of the dialogue are:

To explore an application area for nanotechnology, particularly in relation to problem
definition, considering a range of perspectives and involving a range of stakeholders,
including members of the general public

To raise awareness amongst all participants by broadening a topic beyond the usual
focus on technology as problem solver and to consider technology in social context
The dialogue will involve a series of discussion exercises, during which participants will make
notes, and a note-taker will take a record of the discussion. All notes from the dialogue will
be written up into a report, which will be made available to participants.
In addition, participants will be asked to complete a survey before and after the dialogue, and
several months later (sent by email). This survey is aimed at evaluating the dialogue in terms
of process (what people think about the process) and impact (whether it increased people’s
awareness, made them think differently about the topic or changed their behaviour).
In answering the survey, you will be given an identifying number, which will allow us to match
responses, while keeping responses anonymous. Results of the survey will be included in
the final report, and may form the basis of other publications (e.g. journal articles).
During the afternoon session, parts of the dialogue will be videotaped. This video will be
used to promote future events and the STEP framework. You can choose not to be videotaped.
2
Eventbrite site
Nanotechnology and Energy
How can we meet the grand challenge of energy for Australia’s future?
This dialogue will bring together people from various walks of life to consider the
enduring challenge of energy - how Australia can move forward, maintaining our
quality of life into the future?
We want you to join us to hear about cutting-edge technologies such as
nanotechnology and to consider how they may address this challenge.
But this workshop is not just about how the latest technology will save us all, we’ll
take a deeper look at what is really needed in moving forward, and how nanotech fits
in.
The challenge is open to engineers, home-owners, scientists, commuters,
economists, consumers, environmentalists, students and anyone who uses energy
and is concerned about the future.
We welcome people from all walks of life and your fresh perspectives!
If you have any queries, please contact step@innovation.gov.au
3
Nanotechnology and Energy Dialogue consent form
Organiser: National Enabling Technologies Strategy – Public Awareness and
Community Engagement Program (NETS-PACE) – Department of Industry,
Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
Contact: Dr Wendy Russell
Ph: 02 6276 1803
E: wendy.russell@innovation.gov.au
Declaration of Consent
I hereby agree to be involved in the above dialogue as a participant. I have read the
information sheet about this project and understand the nature of the project and my
role in it.
I understand that my input during the dialogue, my responses to survey questions
and any other data collected will be de-identified (made anonymous) before any
publication.
I also agree to be video-taped during the engagement.
Yes
No
Name of participant: __________________________
Signature: ________________________
Date: _______________________
4
Appendix B – participants
Luis Alvarez, citizen
John Bell, engineer, Engineers Australia
Ezra Bowen, engineering student
Shelley Brown, industry
Miguel Ccalachua, citizen
Gregory Crocetti, environmental NGO
Katrina Cutler, facilitator
Marina Divella, citizen
Thomas Draper, English teacher
Maaroof Fakhri, public servant (federal)
Erika Fiset, researchers
Benjamin Friebe, engineering student
Andrew Gatland, engineering student
Chris Greig, engineer
John Harrison, social researcher
Shane Harwood, consumer
Mallory James, social scientist
Craig Johnson
, public servant
(federal)
Matthew Kearnes, social researcher
Lorrie Ko, environmentalist
Justine Lacey, social scientist
Robert Lemon, retiree
Jian Liu, chemist
Raymond Loader, citizen
Bill Macfarlane, environmental engineer
Scott Martyn, nanotechnology researcher
Grace Mullins, environmental
engineering student
Sue Nugent, home owner
Joel Baker, engineer
Emma Bosworth, environmental NGO
Hayley Brindell, organiser
Amalia Buckerfield, student, consumer
Terry Cridland, home owner/consumer
Tito Cueva, engineer
Erik de Wit, science communicator
Derek Dixon, citizen
Tim Eaton, Home owner
Judith Feros, home owner/consumer
Arden Fraser, environmental engineer
Michael Gallwey, consumer
Jennifer Gett,
home-owner
Lingli Guo, environmentalist
Andrew Harvey, researcher
Lisa Hudson, consumer
Matthew James, engineer
Daniel Jong, citizen
Penelope King, home-owner
Andrea Kriewaldt, home-owner
Jason Latham, student
Xue Leng, engineer
Josephine Loader, citizen
Max Lu, academic
Kylie Madge, consumer/home-owner
Stephen McGrail, social researcher
Amanda Newbery, facilitator
Paul O'Carrigan, Home-owner &
consumer
James Pepping, home owner
Wendy Russell, organiser
David Schofield, home owner, consumer
Abhijit Shrotri, engineer
Augustine Okoro, mechanical engineer
David Rooney, social researcher
Cathy Sage, note-taker
Roman Shirshov-Menzel, engineering
student
Geoff Silcock, citizen
Vanessa Solomon, public servant (State)
Michael Swifte, citizen
Lianzhou Wang, nanotechnology
researcher
Dunyang Wang, consumer
Nicholas Westwood, public servant
(State)
Jason Wood, citizen
George
Zhao,
nanotechnology
researcher
Fengqiu Tang, environmentalist
Hao Wang, environmentalist
Peter Wang, consumer
Ross Wilton, home owner, consumer.
Lingxia Zhang, engineer
5
Appendix C – Engagement results
Energy issues session
The issues are listed in order from lowest score to highest.
Need for availability of affordable clean energy
Carbon – just an excuse for more taxes? Australia is still a small offender world wide
Run out of resources to provide constant energy
Using cars as little as you can
Energy (electricity) is mostly invisible.. .how do we make it visible?
Over reliance on oil
Saving energy important
Reduce power consumption on everyday electronics
How easily people use energy without thinking ie leaving lights on... bothers me that
people are uninformed and don’t use common sense
Where is it (energy) being used effectively?
Economic ways of households to provide their own energy
How to efficiently use energy
Our national dependence on Fossil Fuel exports for sustained economy & lack of
development of alternative sources
Is it important to reduce the energy produced from oil?
Generation capacity
Cost of rising electricity prices – energy saving lightbulbs are $15 each, old lightbulbs
$2
Use of green strategies... “renewable”... Wind sun
Location of infrastructure
Energy consumed & development
New viable technologies that have not been looked at – Improvement of current
renewable energy sources through fields of nanotechnology
Fossil fuels need to be somewhat replaced... ie not viable for the future
Keeping cost LOW
6
New not yet known technologies
How to improve energy efficiency
Life Cycle Assessment (L CA) of manufacture
Govt support of renewable energy
Balance between energy consumption & global warming
Are the new (green) energies clear to the consumer?
Have energies to run industries
Consumption, price, availability
2 x How manage translation from now to future
Given our heavy reliance on COAL, what will a translational energy economy look
like?
2 x Australian economy without coal
Grid - make smarter and fit energy mix
Lowering energy use in future
Renewable energy ... are we doing enough?
Water / hydro
2 x How will we provide for energy in future?
Which fuel energy is best?
Wave energy to achieve outcomes – genuine benefits - measurable solar over
current availability
Well being of animals, plants and non-human parts of natural world. People’s e use
affects them and they have no say / environmental quality
Health impacts with new energy technologies
Converting to low cost energy at home / in business
Movement to sustainable source of energy with a low carbon footprint
Consumption, save energy, energy for all people in the world
How to live more sustainably
2 x climate change
Seemingly immovable barriers to action on climate change (energy problem is part of
this)
7
Climate change and cost of energy, including renewable energy
2 x Current way of producing energy is not sustainable; depleting resources
Waste / cost of n11ew technologies? New ideas not implemented by govt
Converting to low cost energy at home
Rising costs
Most efficient, cost effective way to reduce power?
Waste & cost - government interference
Trade-offs with food, environment, overall human development
Waste of energy (efficiency)
Sustainability – how do we ensure energy consumption doesn’t come at cost to
environment?
Sustainable, plentiful, cheap production of energy (given finite resources)
Transition now from fossil fuels (coal & gas) to 100yr renewable energy
Renewable energy (sources) vs/and environmentally friendly energy
How do we get govt to focus on long term policies for a secure & sustainable energy
future?
8
Problem Definition session
Participants were asked to write problem definitions individually, following discussion
in groups. About half the participants provided definitions.
“The problem is we don’t have enough water..... Hydroelectricity on the Ord river
could supply our energy needs.. we need to get labour from Asia... & export food to
Asia”
“The challenge is how do we provide enough energy for our needs and distribute it”
“The challenge is transforming our energy system from current centralised generation
to a hybrid distributed model”
“The problem is a) devising a means of promoting new energy solutions to the
community... b) clarifying costs”
“There is a lack of understanding and political will... we need to focus on education”
“(Action) is possible but the govt hasn’t set up policies, processes to achieve it”
“The problem is a lack of infrastructure planning and credible ideas for future ... (the
issue has) created political mistrust and has stalled the way forward”
“The challenge is achieving bipartisan solutions and global solutions rather than
picking winners”
“We need to focus on making immediate changes to renewables like solar”
“The problem is that 20th century fossil fuel is the accepted paradigm – how do we
change that?”
“We need to define the problem in economic values as the world works this way”.
“The problem is to produce energy at a cost that fits all and that produces the lowest
heat output”
“Appropriate technology may not necessarily be new high tech technology”
“There is a lack of motivation – we need ways to marginalise doubters, lobby groups
etc – (doubters) stop action”
“We don’t need technological solutions – we need social and political will... social
solutions”
“Our biggest challenge is maintaining our natural environment via renewable energy
versus economic issues such as keeping costs low and staying competitive in the
global market (Environment vs. Economics: Finding a happy medium).”
“Our biggest challenge is to inform and educate the general public on the issues
involved in using and sourcing both traditional and unconventional forms of energy. A
better informed public can significantly influence government regulation and private
sector operations.”
9
“The problem is: Vote-garnering by politicians and their desperate revenue-raising
as a result of their self-centred incompetence is harming industry and wrecking the
economy. A healthy resource industry and a healthy economy form the cradle for a
wealthy, sustainable, well-educated energy future. Resources is one of the few
industries Australia has left – Don't kill it off!”
“Our biggest challenge is to provide for our future energy needs in the most cost
effective way. We should be looking at solar power, nuclear power and wave power.
In my opinion wind power is not the answer.”
“The problem is that leadership as it is has a lack of understanding and political will.
We need to focus on education from the top-down and also down-top: a two
dimensional approach.”
“Our biggest challenge is to educate our nation on utilising energy and provide
resources outlining essential strategies.”
“The problem is our acceptance of appropriate technology - simple, small scale,
appropriate solutions. Things that are not new, rather, things that are one-size-fits-all,
things that combine use and are decentralised. How do we define what is appropriate
to the situation? Also, localised education is important.”
“Our biggest challenge is finding a cost effective and situation-appropriate way to
produce energy to all communities globally, which has a positive, symbiotic
relationship with environmental quality: appropriate technology.”
“Our biggest challenge is identifying the best form of energy while still considering
cost and the environment.”
“The problem is to produce energy at a cost which meets a level playing field yet
produces the lowest level of heat and pollutants, affecting sustainability.”
“The problem is that the government has not set up long-term policies, targets and
royalties that benefit the renewable sector (eg. bi-partisan targets). For example, the
fossil fuel industry subsidies $12,000,000,000 plus; Queensland's gas target is higher
than those of renewable energy sources; environmental impact studies are
incomplete for coal seam gas exploration.”
“The biggest obstacle faced in terms of Australia's energy future is sustainability,
there is need to fund a sustainable energy that can be used to replace the more
harmful energy production methods.”
“We need to separate the debate between climate change and energy and instead
focus on developing sustainable technologies so we aren't held to ransom by a
handful of oil producing nations.”
“The problem is that our energy generation sector is dominated by coal fired power
which heavily influences and places limitations on the way we deliver and generate
energy.”
“Our biggest challenge is dysfunctional government. We need processes for building
more effective models of inter-governmental solutions, and for developing greater
consensus around policy, ie. community support.”
10
“There seems to be a lack of infrastructure planning from past years and a lack of
credible ideas for the future. This, coupled with being forced to accept carbon as a
pollutant, and a tax to go with it, has created mistrust in the government and has
stalled the way forward.”
“The problem is climate change. We need to focus on the economics of energy, eg.
not burning coal.”
“We need to focus on educating individuals, families, and businesses in regards to
reducing their energy consumption.”
“The biggest problem of securing Australia's energy future is a lack of drive in the
energy industry to transition towards sustainable sources of energy, with the
environmental and social concerns of the public in mind.”
“Our biggest problem is Julia's carbon tax. Our biggest problem is Julia's carbon tax!
We do not have enough people yet! Try to convince a unionist of the value of
bringing skilled people to Australia.”
“Our problems are fluctuating loads (peak and off peak) and distributing costs and
losses. Peak loading can be supplied through hydro and recycled water hydro (pump
beach water in low load periods), and gas turbine. Transmission costs can be
addressed through location of power stations with specific generation capabilities and
responsibilities.”
“The problem is to generate and meet future energy demands. The challenge is to
do it in such a way as to minimise impact on people and the environment. We need
to focus on long term government commitment and on creating increased research to
achieve this aim.”
“The challenge is to find a low-cost, environmentally friendly, renewable energy
source as soon as possible.”
“The problem Australia faces of securing its energy future is: a) Devising means of
promoting clean and sustainable energy production methods, and increasing public
awareness of this issue, and b) Attention needs to be given to public awareness,
cost, and the most efficient use of resources.”
“The key problem here is how energy, climate, and environment are understood,
particularly that these issues are framed as 'securing Australia's future'. Unlike many
nations, we have secure resources already. So the challenge here is not a security
one – one that is simply about a choice between different generation options – but a
sociological challenge – how to rethink what energy means in everyday life, and
generating an engaging vision of more sustainable patterns of life.”
“The biggest challenge in securing Australia's energy future is that people at the
moment are not experiencing the consequences of their actions. Rather, they are
experiencing safe and comfortable lives whilst animals, plants, people in developing
countries, and future generations suffer the consequences.”
“The problem is a lack of motivation to ensure a viable and sustainable energy
future.”
11
Problem solutions
Participants were asked to refine their problem definitions and to ‘identify some key things we need to do to solve the problem (possible
actions, solutions, focus areas)’
TABLE PROBLEM
1
Australian hasn’t a strong vision.
Msgs too often based on fear....
needs strong leadership.
ACTION
FOCUS
-Create a vision for the country, with a definition -New definition of prosperity.
of prosperity.
There is a Lack of:
-Vision for the long term
-Imagination, perspective (broad
view)
SOLUTION
-Vision for the country.
Form a group (mixed – industry,
govt, community) to create a vision,
know and communicate what
projects are available, how much,
which best etc... to drive social
change. Need incentives at micro
level. Define what do we need to do
at an individual, group level
-Education, awareness, and
information
-Voice and Engagement
2
Transforming energy system from -Educate -Education process
old to new – -Leadership, eg.
completely change how system works; can’t
work with centralised system for energy or fuel.
-Research
Complexity of elements is stopping us; 1. scale,
education, process – radical notion is to inform
-Knowledge
from bottom up. 2. Define what do we need to
-Innovation
run the home, state, country.. need to build
leadership to inform properly.
12
-Create a single vision (irrespective
of political influences)
Top down technology & commercial
phase; define a vision from bottom
up informed by technology and ...
who’s involved – scientists, policy
makers, community
TABLE PROBLEM
ACTION
FOCUS
SOLUTION
3
-Political motivation
-De-politicise carbon pricing
-Lack of regulations and
standards
-Establish “Reserve Bank” of energy
-International standards of
energy regulation
-Proceeds of carbon must be
invested in sustainable energy
technologies (not politically
motivated wealth distribution)
-Lack of international cooperation
-Set mechanisms for pricing electricity and
carbon so as to achieve lowest cost pathway to
a binding 2050 emissions target
-Heavy industry/energy sector
consultation
-Pricing carbon based on
product's carbon intensity
-Establish G20 Global Fund for low emissions to regardless of geographical
decide about where action is most needed ;
origin (imports and local)
increase international science collaboration
-Promoting national initiatives
on a global scale
4
-Devising a means of promoting
clean and sustainable energy
production methods, while
increasing public awareness of
this issue
-Incorporating energy issues in educational
curriculum from an early age
-Regulating number of vehicles on roads
through government policies
-Organising more programs like this one
(market research)
Capitalise on our no.1 place in
environmental knowledge by
educating better (from bottom
up) & solutions from top down
-How do we promote clean and
sustainable energy sources?
-How do we produce this
energy?
-How do we make the public
aware of the need to use clean
energy sources?
13
-Increase international science
collaboration
-Public awareness
-Research into clean and
renewable energy sources in
Australia
-Education from an early age
-Regulation
-Minimising waste of energy (i.e.
minimising wastage of available
energy)
TABLE PROBLEM
5
6
ACTION
FOCUS
SOLUTION
-Identifying what Technologies
-Decentralise Fitting the mix of energy
that are most appropriate and who resources to different populations – what suits
best where? Energy production to empower
decides what is implemented.
communities and individuals
Appropriate technologies for each
area. What’s appropriate? Who
-Implementing a means of communication and
decides? ... for what area in
consultation for identifying appropriate energy
Australia? How empower
production. Improve efficiency of all systems
communities – decentralise
and their cost effectiveness.
energy & power; local not
centralised
-A global issue
-Involving Government,
corporations, industry, communities
and individuals in decision-making
Water is solution – hydroelectricity Integrated energy solution... hydro power (desal
is key. What’s feasible...
plants, pipelines through Australia & PNG;
export to India & China – Market study on food
export
-No support from necessary
parties
-Dialogue between China, India, and Australia
about “Integrated energy solution”
-Volatile markets of Asia, India
and PNG
-Logistic study on timeline, project materials,
company co-operation for “energy solution”
-Unreceived project (not in line
with country's energy plan)
strengths of plan(electricity at 10% current
cost), weaknesses (no definite ownership or
timeline, no assured PNG contribution, doesn’t
cater for different lifestyles etc), opportunities
market study on food export, logistic study on
timeline, project materials), threats (volatile
markets of Asia, India, PNG, not in line with
nation’s e plan; no support from various parties)
-Innovation of power supply,
food supply and water supply
14
-Low tech vs. high tech
Emphasis on lifecycle and longterm production. Efficient
energy storage.
-Prioritising education
(Awareness of public &
education of sciences)
-Integrated energy solution: Hydro
power (desalination plants,
pipelines through Australia; export
-International relations between to China, India, and PNG)
countries
TABLE PROBLEM
7
-How do we provide enough
energy for our needs in a
sustainable way and how do we
distribute it to where we need it?
ACTION
FOCUS
SOLUTION
-Integrated approach on sustainability
-Technology
-Synergy of resources, technology,
and distribution
-Environment
-Resources
-Cost
-Distribution
-Social
8
9
-Transforming our energy system -Inform bottom-up “What we need”
from its current early 20th Century
paradigm of a central generating -Create social architecture
supply to a more highly dsitributed
-Build Leadership
model
-Policy and regulation
How to promote
- Contact local politicians
-Solar, wind, hydro, etc.
Clean, sustainable? -Lack of
awareness and education
-Use of different population nodes to suit a
variety of energy resources
-Inefficiency
-Awareness of the public and education of the
sciences
-“Top-down” technology and
commercial response
-Technology
-Acceptance of new ways of
getting and using energy
15
-Define vision from bottom-up
-Expect pain and deal with it
-Improvement of efficiency of all
systems and their cost
-Education of sciences focusing effectiveness
on electrical generation
-Assess on life cycle and consider
-Efficient storage of energy
long term production over short
term
- Lower cost of public transport
TABLE PROBLEM
ACTION
FOCUS
SOLUTION
10
-Lack of planning
-Knowledge (get it out there)
“The world is your oyster”
-Distrust (between govts and
between govts & society)
Action on three levels:
-LP Gas, coal, bio fuels (sugar,
corn, cooking oil)
Knowledge, not education ... is key. Way
forward. ... farmers . Costs about $40K to run
-Multinationals
own home electriciy wise... more costly to do
“putting up road blocks”
nothing. Water tank... is running your own
home. We can come up with your own
-Vested interest with privatisation, solutions. Encourage rather than dictate... does
global industry
it have to be everyone globally in agreement. If
individuals act, makes a difference-Personal
-Government with short term
actions: Homes (more cost effective storage of
focus
energy)
What energies most effective?
-Solar, Hydro
-Shale gas
-Coal seem gas
-Nuclear
-River turbines
-Safety is paramount
-Local: Neighbourhood, Council
-National: encourage rather than dictate
11
-Losing control of our resources
Economics... this can be done now... what we
through being taken over by other need to do is transition – through natural gas...
requires govt policy – Beatty mandated 13%
countries e.g. China
from gas... now 20% by 2020. Govt needs to
-The government has little idea of change their policies – clear and plain vision.
who owns what
Need investment decisions in R&D. Needs to go
into the transport industry... and we need more
-The world energy problem is
education with respect to waste.
always measured in economic
values, therefore the solution must -Convert road, rail, etc. to LNG/CSG
engage economic values
-Investment in R&D
-Minimise waste
-Transition from conventional energy to a mix
with the ultimate aim being renewable energy
16
-Transport
-Government to change policies
-Education regarding waste
(housing, government, etc.)
-Clear plan/vision
-R&D
-Renewable energy
-Reduction of cost
-Minimisation of waste
TABLE PROBLEM
12
ACTION
FOCUS
-The government has not set up
bi-partisan policies, targets and
royalties that benefit the
renewable sector.
-Cutting subsidies to fossil fuels
-Subsidies (cut for fossil fuels,
-Increase public awareness through
increase for renewable energy, education
introduce for electrical vehicles,
-Create federal bi-partisan targets
etc.)
Need change to renewables now.
-Decrease consumer demand for fossil fuels
(e.g. subsidies for electrical vehicles, building
efficiency, public transport
-Increase renewable energy grants and
subsidies
-Increase public awareness. Communities need
to know the facts.
17
-Awareness (education)
SOLUTION
-Put pressure on politicians
Nanotechnology and the energy sector session
Table
Which of the key
things to be done
could involve
nanotechnology?
How might
nanotechnology
applications
inadvertently affect the
other key things to be
done?
What nano-developers need to
consider about the energy
problem.
1
“No” (P7)
Could increase cynicism
and distrust (P1) (N1)
-Look at the big picture (P3)
Not sure it can. Think
about how
nanotechnology fits into
the big energy needs of
Australia. Need to talk
about the pros and cons
of nanotechnology. The
market takes up new
technologies, not
necessarily the pure
“good” idea that comes
from researchers.
-Not a panacea (P4) (N4)
-Communication needed (P1)
-Transparency needed on pros
and cons (P2)
-They need to be aware that their
research is market-driven (P1)
(N4)
-Does it allow us to live
sustainably? (P1)
-How does it compare with other
technologies?
-Market forces and context will
affect how it delivers on its
promises
-What is the vision that this is part
of? (P2) (N1)
2
-Bridges the gap
between knowledge and
innovation (P2) (N3)
-Public perception / media
“manipulation” (P1) (N1)
-Provides new business
opportunities (P1) (N1)
-Provides us with
mechanisms for change
(P1) (N6)
3
4
-Proceeds of carbon
must be invested in
sustainable energy
technologies, eg.
Nanotechnology (P6)
(N1)
-Who owns the research? (Here it
is universities) Also, better
structures to facilitate uni
research (P4)
Discussing
nanotechnology is a way
of increasing awareness
of alternative energy
sources... nano
researchers can help on
-How can nanotechnology help in
conversion of smaller energies
into larger form (like in solar
panels, etc.) (P2) (N2)
-Scope for international standard
of regulation (P5) (N2)
18
Table
Which of the key
things to be done
could involve
nanotechnology?
How might
nanotechnology
applications
inadvertently affect the
other key things to be
done?
What nano-developers need to
consider about the energy
problem.
N/A
the storage of resources.
How store wind power,
solar for use?
-Storing alternative,
clean energy which is
not available always, for
use when needed (N2)
5
N/A
N/A
6
(Discuss
ing a
pipeline
scheme
involving
Australia
and
Asia)
-The electricity that
powers the pumping and
shifting of water will
benefit from
nanotechnology
-Will the cost of producing -Co-operation interstate and
this nanotechnology be
international to sync the progress
similar to us exporting
of nanotechnology for the project
manufacturing to India?
-Is nanotechnology sustainable?
-Can we maintain our leadership
in R&D (hold onto IP/ownership)
which benefits the
implementation of
nanotechnology?
-Can nanotechnology
improve the coefficiency
(e.g. friction) of the
pipeline?
-Change the power
generation for the
pipeline, train (the Asian
express) and the
ships/barges/export
vessels
-Offsetting early adoption of
nanotechnology with the
completion of the pipeline
-Improve power storage
capacity
7
How do we maintain
energy and distribute –
what is the line between
needs & wants?
Integrated approach –
need to look at each
aspect*See diagram
below
Leads to what is
*See diagram below
sustainability: it is
economic, social,
environmental… 6 point
star shows tie up of each
with the other; technology,
social, resources,
distribution, cost &
environment
*See diagram below
8
Demotivation – it’s our
problem not someone
else’s. ....Unintended
consequences – we
need to take care of
-Demotivate action (wait
-Motivation and what influences
for the perfect technology) public responses (fear) (P1) (N2)
(P2) (N1)
-Over-reliance on
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Table
Which of the key
things to be done
could involve
nanotechnology?
How might
nanotechnology
applications
inadvertently affect the
other key things to be
done?
What nano-developers need to
consider about the energy
problem.
those unknowns ie
technology (P2) (N3)
exploding lithium
-User perspective: not
batteries in airports,
need to understand the willing to examine own
fear people have about usage (demand)
new technologies that
-Unintended
can really hold things up.
consequences (unknowns
as well as knowns
-Distributed systems:
(P2) (N1)
-Storage (LCA better)
-PVs
-Transportation
-Water purification
(~40% energy?) (P3)
(N3)
9
10
-Energy sources
identified could all
benefit from
nanotechnology in
increasing efficiency in
storage devices (N2)
(P1)
-What has to be asked is
if the benefit outweighs
the cost of research and
production (P6)
-Storage of energy is
more cost-effective
using nanotechnology
(P1)
-Vested interest in
privatisation
-Solar, hydro (P3)
-Nuclear (P2)
-Bio-fuels (P4) (N2)
-Other areas? (P3) (N1)
11
-Are other uses of
nanotechnology more urgent than
for energy sources? (P4) (N1)
-Will we become complacent with
monitoring our energy use if we
think nanotechnology has solved
the problem? (P4)
-Safety is paramount (P2) (N1)
-Knowledge: get it out there
Hope developers look at
the history of these things -Encourage rather than dictate
(P5)
ie steam? Any modern
applications?? Tesla –
-“The world is your oyster” (P4)
creation Jew took
electrical charges out of
atmosphere – any tie
ups?
-Nano storage needs
more work, because
there are oppurtunities
-Need to communicate real-world
R&D work in nano and energy
space
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Table
12
Which of the key
things to be done
could involve
nanotechnology?
How might
nanotechnology
applications
inadvertently affect the
other key things to be
done?
What nano-developers need to
consider about the energy
problem.
there (P2) (N4)
(P9) (N4)
The talks raise more
questions than
answers... do benefits
outweigh costs of
developing the
technology?
-Need to address lack of
awareness in general population
via these types of events (P1)
-Concentrated solar
-Waiting for nano
storage (wind can supply solutions could delay
renewable action now
baseload energy)
(P4) (N6)
It offers good
transitioning in cars Increase Battery
capacity in electric
vehicles (P3) (N2)
-Unknown risks with new nano
properties? Regulations? (P6)
(N1)
-History research (Tesla, steam)
(N1)
-Potential renewable
price reductions
Outlier
The discussion after the
-Regulation:
talks introduced the
-Research ethic
concept of fear – safety
– regulatory structure?
-Government regulator
Research ethics
committees? Is current (P1)
“Safety” structure good
enough for this new
energy environment?
21
-Safety, confidence (P1)
Copy of drawing by table 7. Pink are researcher spots, green are public spots
22
Appendix D – Survey written responses
How would you rate your current knowledge of nanotechnology?
Comments:
Pre:
limited understanding
Post:
No change due to the very short presentations from scientists, focused more on their
personal work than on the big picture.
Post post:
I feel I understand the concept more now after attending the discussion in June.
I have a moderate knowledge of nanotechnology. I wish the meeting we attended
would have taught us more. The time the scientists actually spent talking to us (and
by 'scientists' I include members of industry) was much lower/less than the time we
spent providing our opinions.
Do you have any comments about nanotechnology and the energy challenge?
Pre:
It will be of great benefit I should imagine. There will be challenges with regards to
safety issues and resistance to change however
solar power and wind farms are the future
Post:
I can't wait for the future and the uses for this technology to arrive.
nano is not a panacea
cost vs impact vs environment vs health vs other choice
I was extremely disappointed at the lack of Q&A time with nanotech expert
disappointed that no voices of concern were given similar opportunity as industry and
researchers
Post post:
In my point of view, nanotechnology is a promising technology and will address a lot
of problems we are facing, but it will also bring considerable uncertainties in the
envrionmental and health issues. For example, nanoparticles are so tiny that can
penetrate into human lung much deeper than larger particles, which will definitely
cause adverse health issues. Therefore, we need to put more efforts to evaluate its
environmental and health impacts and adopt proper protection measures before any
actual application.
23
I think that nanotechnology is an exciting and new area that has a lot of potential to
meet our energy needs in the future.
I feel that I still don't know enough about the contributions nanotechnology can make
to the energy challenge to truly have an opinion. I honestly think it is probably a
dangerous and under-regulated, poorly understood technology and that the real
answer to energy challanges is to change human behaviour (re: energy use)
Could be useful in ensuring we get the most out of our resources
We don't need to wait for nanotechnology to solve current energy challenges, when
existing wid and solar technologies can meet our demands
Do you feel that the objectives of the day were met?
Comments:
Not sure we had enough time to actually learn from the experts.
Yes, to provide a small, , very, small glimpse into nanotechnology and energy use in
future
I would have liked to see and hear more about nano
(Final) Comments:
Nanotechnologists could have spoken longer.
Well done
Great effort - thank you very much. More from experts appreciated.
Great event!
Very well done. Feel much better informed.
Extra questions in post post Survey
1. What did you get out of the 3 June dialogue?
Nanotechnology has been widely used in energy industry, but only few people are
aware of the potential risks of nano-products on human health
I think the thing I most remember is that an holistic approach is needed with regards
to nanotechnology and its application. There needs to be widespread knowledge
about it, it needs to be regulated so that it is safe, and further research done on its
environmental effects. Nanotechnology will have widespread application in areas like
medicine, communications, agriculture and energy supply; There is some
nanotechnology out there already in things like clothing, sunscreen, sports equipment
etc
The strange experience of being a participant, rather than an organiser of social
science research. An appreciation of your (the organisers') efforts to include the big
picture questions for us, such as asking what we think the challenge of energy is.
24
Disappointment at the lack of imagination demonstrated by the members of the
public, who gave (what seemed to me as) very ordinary, expected, boring, uncreative
answers to the questions. Not a huge amount of knowledge.
Was an informative, interesting day.
Gave me a broader understanding of issues being faced.
Know more about nanotechnology; Interesting community exercise and good lunch;
felt more empowered to count science as an interest as a general member of the
community
Much frustration and disappointment. The "dialogue" did not provide an appropriate
context to explore the risks or needs around the application of nanotechnology to
energy generation
Meeting people; Understanding the importance of energy storage for the success in
sustainable energy technology; Understanding there has been a huge gap between
policy makers and researchers
2. Did it change your views? Actions? How?
No, I will continue my research on the potential health risks caused by airborne nanoparticles and their control strategies
It changed my views because I knew very little about nanotechnology before. It
makes me feel hopeful that in the future there will be new and better ways of doing
things. And perhaps there are other discoveries to be made about things we have no
knowwledge of as yet. I don't feel that my actions have changed very much, other
than to notice some advertising about products that already use nanotechnology.
If anything, I think my views became more negative towards nanotechnology
because the dialogue demonstrated that the researchers and industrial
representatives are highly focused on the progress and success of their own
particular endeavours and thus may not be as devoted to the same questions the
public would tend to ask, such as why or why this, here, now as opposed to
alternatives. Also, I did not feel increased confidence in the state of nanotechnology
regulation as a consequence of participating. I intend to do more personal research
on nanotechnology and regulation now. (by the way, this increased negativity I feel
may not be fully accounted for in my quantitiative feedback because I can't
remember the numbers I wrote on the previous questionnaire.
Some of the speakers changed my views about the challenges energy
companies/governments face, regarding increasing the use of renewable energy.
Raised my interest level.
I had already been doing what I could for minimal energy usage.
I have been working on nanotechnology for years.
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3. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for future events?
It may be a good idea to invite some experts in the environmental health area to
discuss the possible risks brought by nanotechnology and how we can control them.
to do with nanotechnology? A further series of discussions to educate a wider
audience would be a way forward.
I suggest that you change the balance of time between providing information to us
(which you did not do too much of) and capturing our opinions (which you did a lot
of). I am super interested in energy technology and pretty highly knowledgeable
about it, and I don't feel that I learned too much from the talk, beyond some specific
knowledge of who is doing what in Brisbane now. I think that your presenters might
have benefitted from different instructions about spending time explaining
nanotechnology in energy to a more general audience, as opposed to concentrating
on their own personal work. While their own personal projects are very interesting
and fantastic, the dialogue as a whole demonstrated to its attendees that members of
the public tend to have "bigger picture" interests and concerns, such as "why is this
actually needed" and "how does this compare to current alternatives or other
options". If presesnters had done more to address that, I would have appreciated it.
No, had a good time and would go again.
No, thought it was well run.
Communities being empowered to take science on and not being intimidated
because of ignorance was the greatest achievement, I think, of this event, so keep
that up.
More open and inclusive of all points of view.
To have as many people form the industry as possible; to have policy makers
involved.
What is your occupation?
Researcher
home duties
public servant
Cost consultant
Manager
research
professor
Accounts coordination
technology officer (R&D start-up)
government
retired taxi driver
lecturer
business owner/self-employed
oil & gas engineer
student
fashion label manager
student
Student
research trainee
student
Public servant
Tutor
student
engineering
student
Engineer
trainee retiree
researcher
director
product manager
journalist
flight attendant
lecturer/consultant
engineer & teacher
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writer/researcher
Office manager
Interested public
Retail hardware manager
Retired
Retired
Public servant/geologist
PhD student
student
retired
PhD student
research
consultant - non-scientific
landscape gardener
researcher in field of nanotechnology
Student
Student
Medical practice management
Engineering student
Medical student
Social scientist
Teacher aide
Business manager
Engineer (academic)
research scientist
teacher
reitred mechanical engineer
associate prof.
professor
teacher
teacher
Engineer student
Mechanical drafter
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Appendix E – FoE media release
Government’s Nanotech and Energy “Dialogue” one-sided
Friends of the Earth have raised concerns that a Government sponsored “dialogue” on
nanotechnology and energy held in Brisbane recently, only told one side of the story. Four
nanotechnology scientists spoke, yet experts on the potential risks associated with the technology
were not given a platform.
Dr Gregory Crocetti from Friends of the Earth’s Nanotechnology campaign said “Nanotechnology
scientists with a vested interest in the technology were invited to speak at the forum, yet no risk
scientists, or groups with a more critical perspective, were given a platform. We are concerned that
members of the public attending the forum were only given one side of the story.”
Friends of the Earth and other community groups were invited to participate in workshops, but were
not offered the same opportunity as nanotechnology researchers to voice their long-held concerns.
“In a world increasingly concerned about climate change, nanotechnology has been marketed as a
techno-fix that will enable high-tech prosperity with no environmental footprint – yet our research
shows that often these claims don’t stack up.”
“The federal government has touted nanotechnology’s green credentials as a key reason to justify
generous public funding of the sector. Yet while they have shown much interest in the industry’s
economic prospects, they have shown little interest in asking the key question: does
nanotechnology actually deliver for the environment?”
“For example, we hear that carbon nanotubes may be used to strengthen wind turbines and to store
energy. But when you take into account how extraordinarily energy intensive they are to
manufacture, or how they behave like asbestos, we’ve got to have a critical discussion about their
role in our energy future.”
Manufacturing carbon nanotubes requires 95-360 times the energy required to make steel on an
equal mass basis and US researchers have concluded they may be one of the most energy intensive
materials known to humankind.
“Public funding should be directed to research that offers the immediate potential to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions – around proven technologies like solar thermal and wind - not creating
new environmental burdens with energy-intensive nanotechnologies, which at best are still a
decade or more away from commercialisation.”
Nanotechnology scientists who spoke at the forum included John Bell, Head of the Applied
Nanotechnology Group at Queensland University of Technology; Prof. Lianzhou Wang from the ARC
Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials; Prof George Zhao from the University of
Queensland; and Shelley Brown from the Very Small Particle Company (VSPC).
28