Three key focus areas will help support Tasmania to become a global leader in sustainability: skills and future workforce, research and development, and community engagement. 

Hydro Tasmania and the University have a long history of working together. For more than a century, collaboration between the two organisations has driven economic development and progress in climate science, renewable energy, environmental conservation, and biological sciences. 

Hydro Tasmania CEO Rachel Watson said the business was proud of its long and impactful relationship with the University of Tasmania. 

“As two of Tasmania’s longest standing institutions, this formal agreement will deepen the impact of our collaboration both in Tasmania and beyond – there are exciting opportunities ahead,” said Rachel. 

“Together, we’re leading environmental research, giving back to the community, and training the scientists and engineers who will continue to secure Tasmania's position as a leader in the renewable energy industry.” 

Hydro Tasmania and the University have already tackled issues like climate change with Climate Futures Tasmania, the management of algal growth at Tarraleah Canal, ecosystem resilience at yingina / Great Lake, and the treatment of wombat mange, a disease that is impacting the local wombat population. 

Through research, innovation and education, the teams will continue to exchange talent, equipment and expertise to make this partnership deliver for the planet at a time where a climate crisis is putting pressure on communities and environments. 

“We are transitioning our engineering research and teaching to a Climate Safe Engineering focus, which will enable the expansion of knowledge in this field and allow us to make even more of a real difference in this space alongside our Hydro Tasmania partners,” said UTAS Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Rufus Black. 

“There is already a steady flow of high-impact research and training that our teams are delivering across hydraulics, pumped hydro storage, reservoirs, energy dispatch systems and integration of other renewable sources for a future highly interconnected electricity market.”