$12.4 million for clean innovation researcher networks

The federal government has announced funding of $12.4 million to support five major projects that will help Australian researchers collaborate globally on clean energy research and development.

The International Clean Innovation Researcher Networks grants will support networks focussed on renewable energy and clean technologies such as solar, wind, storage, green metals, and their supply chains.

Projects will develop networks of clean energy expert, allowing Australian researchers to connect with international research and companies and work with them on clean energy innovation.

Funding for the ICIRN projects announced today include:

• $3 million to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to collaborate with researchers and manufacturers on solar panel reuse and recycling, and a further $2.87 million to accelerate the integration of renewables and EVs into the electricity grid
• $2.59 million to the CSIRO to support international collaboration on grid integration technologies supporting renewable energy, and a further $1.97 million for work on energy efficient ‘smart buildings’
• And $2 million to the University of Melbourne (UoM) to establish the Researcher Network for Decarbonising the Building Industry, which will work with Australian and international partners to advance renewable energy integration and production of low-carbon materials.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said: “We are acting on climate change at home and will continue to be part of the solution globally.

“Deepening global connections is key to reducing emissions and achieving net zero targets.

“We’re working together across the country to achieve a clean energy transformation, and that collaboration shouldn’t stop at our borders.”

The program also connects with established clean energy and climate change international cooperative forums including Mission Innovation, Clean Energy Ministerial and the IEA Technical Collaboration Programs.

Picture: Chris Bowen