One of Australia’s more experienced green energy science and engineering proponents with a measured approach to energy transitions. Advisor to government and industry leaders on practical approaches to a low emissions energy transition, Emeritus Professor Mackinnon holds expertise and currency in end-to-end green power, energy storage, emerging power transmission technologies and practical pathways for future distributed renewable energy grids.
Founder/Director, Centre for Clean Energy Technologies and Practices, Queensland University of Technology (QUT); Founder/Executive Director, Institute for Future Environments, QUT; Executive Director, Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Australian Research Council (Commonwealth Government); Member, Ministerial Council and H2 Taskforce, Queensland Government; Foundation Director/Professor, Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland; senior positions at the University of New Mexico and NASA Johnson Space Centre. Professor Mackinnon has served in advisory roles for five national and international centres and two start-up companies in the environmental, minerals and energy sectors.
Professor Mackinnon envisioned and delivered QUT’s pilot renewable energy generation-storage-delivery system at Redlands, Brisbane (2018-2024). He is experienced in the successful and unsuccessful translation of scientific innovation and IP into start-up companies. His contemporary insight into global government and industry attitudes to risk and investment in green energy helps ensures a smart Green Island Power mission.