Andrew Blakers

Professor Andrew Blakers AO FAA FTSE FRSN is a distinguished academic and engineer at the Australian National University's School of Engineering. He leads research in solar photovoltaics, renewable energy systems, and pumped hydro energy storage. His pioneering work on PERC solar cells revolutionized the solar industry, accounting for half of all solar panels globally and mitigating 3% of global emissions. He co-developed the Sliver solar cell technology, generating $12 million in royalties for ANU. His global pumped hydro atlas identified a million off-river storage sites, influencing multi-billion-dollar projects.

Key awards include the 2024 Clunies Ross Award and 2023 Queen Elizabeth Prize (engineering's top prize). He holds Fellowships at the Australian Academy of Science and Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering. His research group, founded in 1991, employs 60 staff and students, securing $160M in grants. Major projects include 100% renewable energy pathway analysis and off-river pumped hydro storage systems.

Recent articles focus on solar/wind farm siting via heatmaps, PHES cost analysis, and grid designs dominated by solar. His work emphasizes low-cost renewable transitions, especially in sunbelt nations.

• Awards: Clunies Ross (2024), Queen Elizabeth Prize (2023), Eureka Prize (2018)
• Grants: $160M (since 1979) in competitive research funding
• Projects: 100% Renewable Futures Group, PHES Atlas, Sliver Solar Commercialization

His research spans solar cell innovation, energy policy, and storage solutions, with a focus on decarbonizing global energy systems through practical, scalable technologies.