NewH2 Knowledge Exchange - July

Join us for our second NewH2 Knowledge Exchange for 2024. 

Speakers Include, Adam Bacon from Bloom Energy who will be joining us online from Singapore, Nick Couper, COO with HunterNet Career Connections ,Dr James Whelan, Secretary of Climate Action Newcastle and Raymond Höhle - Executive Manager Infrastructure & Services also joining us virtually.

This knowledge exchange will focus on the transition to clean energy and the evolving skills required to support it. Topics include updating apprenticeships, job incentives for sustainability, and insights on regional clean energy competitiveness and technology deployment. Collaboration and innovation across governmental, industrial, and community sectors will be emphasised.

Together, the speakers will underscore the importance of collaboration and innovation in preparing for a competitive, environmentally friendly future.

When: Friday 26th July
Port of Newcastle - Level 4/251 Wharf Rd, Newcastle NSW 2300
$15pp includes morning tea
10am arrival arrival for 10.20am start

SPEAKERS and TOPICS

Adam Bacon - Bloom Energy 

Adam will focus on Observations across Asia – What’s Australia’s competition, Impacts of the IRA and When SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cells) make the most sense.

Adam joined Bloom Energy in Jun 21 to lead its activities in Australia and the Pacific. In mid 2022 he became responsible for business development and sales in Asia Pacific, as Vice President Asia Pacific. Adam is responsible for developing Bloom’s presence in both existing and new and emerging markets, with a focus on customer solutions to reduce carbon footprints. Prior to joining Bloom Energy, Adam was the Transformation Executive for SPSG Assets (SPPG and State Grid owned pipeline company in Australia), where he was responsible for the group’s strategic review and implementation of asset and cost initiatives.

Adam was an initial founder of Australia’s first LNG Import Terminal, as Head of Gas and Power of Australian Industrial Energy in Sydney Australia (~2 years). This asset is now owned by Andrew Forrest, as part of the Squadron Energy Portfolio. Prior to Joining Australian Industrial Energy, Adam was a Senior Executive of General Electric, having responsibility for the Industrial companies of GE, including Power, Renewables, Distribution and O&G companies and Australia and the Pacific. Adam also spent time as the Executive GM for GE Rail and Mining Services business, responsible for global operations of these two businesses.

Nick Couper - Chief Operating Officer with HunterNet Career Connections
As the need for cleaner energy grows, so do the skills required. Governments and industries are updating apprenticeships and job incentives to support a greener future. They're reshaping training to fit sustainable industries better and encouraging businesses to invest in skilled workers. The focus is on preparing graduates for jobs in green technology and renewable energy. By working together and investing in training, we're getting ready for a competitive, environmentally friendly future.

Nick Couper is the Chief Operating Officer with HunterNet Career Connections, with over 15 years’ experience in the Vocational Education and Training sector. Nick has held various senior roles in both regional and national group training companies. Nick has also worked in executive positions in National private registered training organisations. Most recently Nick has spent the past 6 years with HunterNet Career Connection (previously HunterNet Group Training) where the organisation has undergone significant growth and diversification into a trusted national provider of apprentices and trainees.

Professionally, Nick values creating new opportunities for organisations and their employees to be able to receive quality training with outcomes to set themselves up for success. This can be achieved by understanding business plans and strategically mapping the staffing resources needs at the correct timeline of an organisations business plan.

Dr James Whelan - Secretary of Climate Action Newcastle

Involving community in the energy transition - The Hunter community wants and deserves a planned transition, from concern to confidence, fossil fuel dependence to reliable renewables, uncertainty to security. Community groups in our region have advocated clean energy and innovative industry solutions for decades and it's happening. What are the building blocks for genuine community engagement and partnership.

Dr James Whelan is secretary of Climate Action Newcastle. For more than 30 years, James has championed climate action as a researcher, educator and advocate. He is a proud Novocastrian, strongly committed to our local community.

Raymond Höhle - Executive Manager Infrastructure & Services

Born in the Netherlands, Raymond began his career with the Royal Dutch Navy, working on submarines, before his maritime career saw him work across 23 countries in the manufacturing and port industries.

In 2006, Raymond started with AMPT Rotterdam as Senior Manager Technical Services, working on the port expansion, before moving to Australia to joining Hutchinson Ports, where he was part of the management team leading the greenfield sites in Sydney, Enfield and Brisbane.

Prior to joining Port of Newcastle, Raymond was Global Head of Engineering for Yilport, working across nine countries and 19 ports.

With multiple major projects now in the pipeline at the Port of Newcastle, including the Clean Energy Precinct, Ray is currently building a team and securing the necessary resources to deliver on PON's ambitious program of works.