Dr Jim Smitham: leading research into low emission energy technologies

With 15 years of experience in coordinating multi-site research within CSIRO and in industry, and 19 years of experience in technology development and economics, Dr Jim Smitham is well-qualified to lead CSIRO’s research into low emissions energy technology.

• 10 September 2007 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities

Dr Jim Smitham is Theme Leader, Low Emissions Electricity, for the Energy Transformed Flagship.

This program aims to develop technologies that will enable cost effective and progressive reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from stationary energy generation facilities of more than 30 mega watts (MW) capacity.

Projects within the theme include:

• post-combustion capture
• CO₂ sequestration
• coal gasification
• solar thermal energy
• the Centre for Low Emission Technologies (cLET).

Background

In 2002, Dr Smitham was appointed Theme Leader, Low Emissions Electricity, for the newly formed Energy Transformed Flagship.

He was Deputy Chief, CSIRO Division of Energy Technology, from 2004-07.

Dr Smitham joined CSIRO in 1999 as Manager Research and Development (R&D) Operations for the Division of Energy Technology.

Before he joined CSIRO, Dr Smitham worked at BHP, where he was Research Manager, Mining Technology and Mineral Processing; Manager, Minerals & Petroleum Programs, BHP Research; and Research Associate Coordinator.

Academic qualifications

Dr Smitham:

• has a Doctor of Philosophy awarded by The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia, in 1976
• has a Master of Business Administration awarded by Deakin University, Victoria, Australia in 2002
• is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) completed in 2005.

Achievements

Dr Smitham's career highlights include:

• Member of NSW Clean Coal Technology Taskforce, 2006 to present
• International Conference on Coal Research (ICCR), Australian Delegation, 2001-03
• Research Advisory Group, Black Coal Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development, 1996 to present.

Dr Smitham  is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2004 to present.

Find out more about Flagship research into low emission electricity.