25 MARCH, 2026
Who: Charles Darwin University Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering Dr Hooman Mehdizadeh Rad.
Topics:
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- How regions like the Northern Territory could be a renewable energy powerhouse.
Contact details: Call +61 8 8946 6721 or email [email protected] to arrange an interview.
Quotes attributable to Dr Hooman Mehdizadeh Rad:
“Energy security is often overlooked in the net zero debate, but recent events have made it impossible to ignore. Many countries still depend heavily on imported fossil fuels for electricity and transport, and that dependence creates real vulnerability. The ongoing tensions in the Middle East are a stark reminder of this. Even the threat of disruption around key routes like the Strait of Hormuz can push fuel prices up almost overnight, affecting economies far beyond the region.
“This is why the transition to renewable energy is more than an environmental goal, it is a strategic necessity. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable resources like solar are locally available. Countries with strong renewable potential can generate electricity domestically and reduce their dependence on imports. This also enables the electrification of transport through EVs, linking mobility directly to the local energy system. Australia, particularly the Northern Territory, has a clear advantage here given its abundant solar resource.
“Hydrogen extends this advantage further. Electricity is difficult to export over long distances, but hydrogen can act as an energy carrier, produced from excess solar power, then stored and shipped to other countries. It also supports sectors that are harder to electrify directly, complementing EVs and contributing to a more flexible and diversified energy system.
“What makes hydrogen especially powerful is its ability to be stored for weeks or even months and used in an entirely different location. There are currently no other practical options to export renewable energy at this scale across continents. In that sense, hydrogen could enable a global renewable energy trade, much like fossil fuels are traded today.
“From both an economic and strategic standpoint, this presents a significant opportunity for Australia. We can diversify our energy exports beyond traditional fossil fuels, while importing nations reduce their dependence on volatile supply routes. Paired with growing EV uptake locally, these pathways together strengthen energy security by diversifying both how energy is produced and how it is used.”
Contact details:
Raphaella Saroukos she/her
Research Communications Officer
Marketing, Media & Communications
Larrakia Country
T: +61 8 8946 6721
E: [email protected]
W: cdu.edu.au
Charles Darwin University acknowledges all First Nations people across the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders both past and present.
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