veski launches entrepreneur in residence program

27 July
veski ceo Ms Julia Page with Dr David Mills
veski ceo Ms Julia Page with Dr David Mills

Late 2009 saw the launch of veski's new Entrepreneur in Residence program. A short term, high-impact program aimed at providing Victorians with exposure to the latest thinking from global innovators.

Dr David Mills became veski's inaugural entrepreneur in residence.

Built upon veski's work fostering Victoria as a knowledge capital to attract and retain the brightest minds and create a place where new ideas and enterprises thrive.

Dr Mills founded solar company, Ausra, in 2006. In 2009 it opened a solar thermal factory in Las Vegas and a small-scale power plant in the desert north of Los Angeles. On home soil, Ausra was involved in developing solar thermal projects in Queensland and New South Wales and planned to develop a major project in central California to supply more than 120,000 homes with solar power.

Nine days of workshops, seminars, media and public lectures followed Dr Mills arrival in Melbourne from the United States. He addressed representatives of the Victorian investment, renewable energy, government and academic fraternities about climate change, renewable energy generation and demand management.

Dr Mills was welcomed to Melbourne with a casual barbecue hosted by veski Chairman, Professor Snow Barlow, at his home. In attendance were veski innovation fellows, directors and their families.

Dr Mills accepted an invitation to deliver a public lecture on photon-based technologies as part of the acclaimed Alfred Deakin Lectures series, held at BMW Edge at Federation Square, addressing more than 350 members of the community. The theme for 2009 was Climate and Innovation – Building the Low Carbon Economy Now, providing a thought provoking backdrop for lectures headed by leading global innovators who are embracing the challenge of climate change.

The Energy Research Institute (UOM) hosted an academic lecture, entitled Linear Fresnel Solar Power, a technology Dr Mills pioneered. The lecture, which was also open to the general public, outlined recent advances in solar technology and the impact these are having on solar’s potential to replace fossil fuels. It also provided local Victorian researchers with the opportunity to challenge and discuss Dr Mills’ technology.

Industry-specific lectures featuring Dr Mills also included the veski investment session held at the RACV Club before an audience of Victorian Superannuation and Investment Community members; Sustainability Victoria hosted a workshop for members of the Victorian Renewable Energy Sector; and a boardroom luncheon hosted by Ernst and Young featuring a select number of industry and business representatives.

To instigate further discussion and debate, veski hosted a private dinner at University House (UOM), inviting academics from across the Victorian energy, engineering and research sector to join Dr Mills in a round-table discussion on solar thermal solutions for Victoria.

Dr Mills joined the veski chairman Professor Snow Barlow at a wine awards night in the Strathbogie Ranges to conclude his hectic nine-day agenda as the first veski entrepreneur in residence.

Since visiting Melbourne in October 2009, Ausra has been sold to French power giant, Areva. Dr Mills now resides in Sydney, which is significant for Australia, as it reclaims one of its very own brightest scientific innovators.

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