Lunch and Learn with 2023 BHP John Monash Scholar, Nicholas Maurer
27 February 2024
The 2023 BHP John Monash Scholar Nicholas Maurer joined the BHP Planning and Technical team for a lunch and learn in January, presenting his work on decarbonised energy systems.
Nicholas is passionate about energy and education and used the opportunity to present his thinking and views on energy systems to BHP employees.
“Humans have always needed energy. From biofuels to fossil fuels, nuclear and renewables; demand has always existed, but supply sources have changed through history. Electricity, currently the world's second largest energy carrier, is forecast to become the largest by 2050. Yet today, our electricity comes from centralised, expensive, carbon emitting grids. To meet our net-zero objectives these continental machines face the largest overhaul since their creation,” said Nicholas
“Dealing with a transition on this scale is complex, and we often waste precious energy debating the merits of one technology over another. What is required instead is an analysis of the system's needs and how technologies work together to provide those needs. In the session I discussed how three technology categories—renewables, storage and dispatchable capacity—work better together than any single one operating alone. Such an understanding helps guide our thinking as we navigate the complex decisions of the transition.”
In support of BHP’s emissions reductions targets and goals the Strategic Services team are working together with others in the business to accelerate operational decarbonisation solutions. This includes securing green electricity for all our assets, working with equipment vendors to develop and deploy battery electric trucks and locos and extracting and abating the methane emitted as we mine coal.
Gabrielle Sycamore, Head of Strategic Services said, “Securing reliable low emissions power is the backbone of our decarbonisation strategy. Not only will this reduce electricity emissions, but it will enable the electrification of trucks, locos and other mining equipment which are critical to reduce our diesel usage as we look to a net zero future.”
“We have already made great progress reducing electricity emissions, but we still have a way to go, in particular in the Pilbara where our inland mining operations are not grid connected. Not only do we need to transform our energy supply we need to do this whilst also ensuring we deliver reliable power to our mines 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Collaborating with smart minds across the industry, like Nicholas, enables us to challenge our thinking as we deliver our decarbonisation program,” said Gabrielle.
BHP has proudly partnered with the Sir John Monash Foundation since 2012, providing an annual postgraduate scholarship in the field of "Innovation and Growth: The Foundation for Australia’s Future".
Our partnership also supports the John Monash Foundation Leadership Academy, launched in 2021. The Academy works to provide ongoing support, mentorship and professional development for John Monash Scholars who have completed their studies.
You can read more about Nicholas here