Should nuclear be part of our energy mix?

With more than one-quarter of the world's population still without access to electricity, there are some enormous energy challenges ahead in a carbon-constrained future.

Solar energy technologies have made rapid progress and together with other renewable energy sources, they now have the potential to replace fossil fuels.

Yet at the same time, nuclear energy is seen by many nations as a better way to energy security and immediate reduction of electricity-generated carbon emissions.

Join our panel of experts as they debate Australia's future energy mix and demystify fact from fiction for both solar and nuclear energy technologies, including their merits and limitations.

Professor Vassilios G. Agelidis, Director of the Centre for Energy Research and Policy Analysis at UNSW, will facilitate the debate between speakers Professor Barry W. Brook, Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change at the University of Adelaide and Dr Mark Diesendorf, Deputy Director of the Institute of Environmental Studies at UNSW.

"It's timely to open up the debate about our energy future," says Professor Agelidis. "We need to ask: is there too much fear about nuclear? We don't have any options in nuclear power, not just because politicians have decided so, but because we don't have the expertise to create the base skills for this industry to flourish. On the other hand, can solar energy technologies and other renewables alone meet all our energy needs in the medium-term?"

The debate is part of the 2010 BrainFood Series presented by UNSW Alumni Relations.

What: Public debate - Nuclear and Solar Energies: Facts and Fictions DemystifiedWhen: Bookings essential - 6pm for a 6.30pm start, Wednesday, September 8, 2010Where: Central Lecture Block 6, UNSW Kensington campus

More information is available here or by calling the Alumni Relations Office on 02 9385 3279.

Media contact: Denise Knight, UNSW Media Office, 9385 8920 | 0405 207 685