Researcher Highlights
Renewable energy technologies: being part of the solution

If you ask Electrochemical Engineer Dr Jessica Allen what energises her the most in her field at present, she’ll talk enthusiastically about the burgeoning field that is energy technology, in particular, electrochemistry and the development of new renewable energy technologies.

Dr Allen is a Senior Lecturer and principal researcher in the discipline of Chemical Engineering in the University’s School of Engineering. Teaching awards attest to the esteem in which she is held by her students and colleagues, and numerous accolades including a 2021 DECRA Fellowship and being named a 2021 Superstar of STEM showcase her tremendous research capacity and achievements.

While she enjoys working on fundamental research questions, Jessica is determined that the knowledge she generates is applied to create something practical that can be of benefit not just locally, but globally. To that end, whenever she considers a new project, the question she asks herself is: “Will this work contribute to reducing emissions?”. She is adamant that her research becomes part of the solution.

“I would love to see my research employed on a global scale and have a real-world impact with tangible effects,” explains Jessica.

“I’m really interested in the big picture of how we, as a society, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and live well without negatively impacting our planet. I want to develop and progress technologies that can help us live meaningful lives while preserving our planet, in all its flawed glory, for the generations to come”.

Put simply, Jessica is passionate about her research and the opportunities it holds for solving some wicked global problems.

Net-zero emission goals: new energy technologies

After completing her degree followed by a PhD internship at the CSIRO energy centre in Newcastle, Jessica was hooked on the energy technology space and was incredibly motivated and inspired by research and technology development in this sector. Prior to joining the University, Jessica worked as an engineer in the renewables industry. These experiences enable her to envisage commercial pathways for innovative technologies, a priority which underlies her ongoing research.

A 2021 Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) Fellowship is enabling Jessica to continue her research into some of the big energy questions facing society right now. Her DECRA project focuses on developing a new method to effectively capture the carbon dioxide from industrial processes (such as cement, ammonia and steel making) and using renewable solar thermal energy inputs to turn the CO₂ into a stable carbon product. The hard carbon by-product of this process is a major component in batteries and is typically generated from sources such as mined graphite or coal-based materials. The potential to turn emissions from Hunter industry into a valuable export commodity is not lost on Jessica.

“I love solutions that solve more than one problem. This process takes carbon dioxide and sequesters it. Add in some solar thermal energy, and we generate a valuable, in-demand product. Making materials from sunlight is a high-value way to get the most out of Australia’s renewable energy potential,” explains Jessica.

Another component of Jessica’s work involves developing new renewable systems that transform biomass – plant and waste materials – into bioenergy and other useful electrochemical materials and fuels. CO₂ is initially absorbed by organic material, then released on conversion to energy in a carbon neutral pathway. Biomass is also carbon rich, and new carbon-neutral materials and fuels are expected to become increasingly important. Not only in the products generated, but in the value-added transformation of waste materials, such as plentiful agricultural residues.

The overarching aim of Jessica’s research? For the world to reach our net-zero emission goals.

A STEM Superstar

A passionate advocate for women in STEM – particularly in leadership positions – Jessica has been named as a ‘Superstar of STEM’ (a Science and Technology Australia initiative). The aim of the Superstar of STEM program is to bring Australian women scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians into the spotlight, smashing society’s STEM-related gender assumptions along the way. The program is building a critical mass of female STEM superstars in an effort to not only gain equal representation in the media as their male counterparts but to be media role models for women and girls.

“Because I work in the field of energy research, and in particular renewable energy sources, there’s a great deal of media interest in my work,” explains Jessica of her increasing media presence.

“I’m really enjoying the opportunity to learn new skills and build a supportive new communication network while helping the community understand energy technologies.”

Jessica is now a sought-after commentator in both her field of expertise, particularly in hydrogen energy, and women in STEM and leadership, regularly appearing on radio and national news, delivering podcasts and writing online news articles. She counts joining Dr Alan Finkel AO on stage in a 2021 Looking Ahead Lecture Series event as a highlight of her role in providing the community with information as together, she and the guest of honour helped the audience appreciate the emissions technology directions that government and industry are taking and how our regional industries might respond.

Presenting at the NSW Government STEM 2021 On Demand: Education for a rapidly changing world conference gave Jessica an opportunity to offer insights into innovation, creativity and STEM to an audience of educators. She discussed the future-focused, out-of-the-box thinking required to develop new energy technologies that go far beyond more well-known technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines.

“I hope that opening up this discussion with the educators of our young people will help inspire more of them, particularly girls, to pursue a STEM pathway,” says Jessica.

“When I was younger, I was always concerned about environmental impacts and climate change, but I didn’t think I could personally do anything about it. During my degree I realised that, if I wanted to, I could become one of the people working on the solution instead of contributing to the problem. That’s the message I want to share with our young people who are looking to their future.”

And so to the Hunter…

In 2020, Jessica joined industry leaders on the Renewable Energy Industrial Precincts panel at the Hunter Innovation Festival where they discussed jobs of the future in the Hunter. Jessica is particularly passionate about the Newcastle and Hunter region which she believes will play a key role in the energy transition.

Jessica works with both established and start-up technology and manufacturing companies who share her vision of making, using and exporting the green and sustainable products that the world desperately needs, which will also bring green manufacturing jobs and activities to the Hunter region.

“I enjoy collaborating with industry, academic colleagues and research-focused institutions like the CSIRO,” says Jessica.

“Everyone brings a different perspective, and working with different industries can help unlock the research ideas that are always simmering under the surface by helping me understand what the contribution of specific research might lead to. Working with engaged and motivated industry partners often results in better outcomes and helps bring these ideas to light.”

While her overarching research focuses on finding solutions to some significant global challenges, Jessica is working at a grassroots level to find solutions to more immediate local challenges – the transition of Newcastle and the Hunter from a coal-based economy to a cleaner, greener economy.