To start cutting gas and electricity prices, here’s what the government looks likely to deliver by Christmas

By Peter Martin, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he’ll have a system in place to deal with rising energy prices by Christmas. He can’t yet tell us what it will be, because that will depend on the outcome of negotiations with gas and electricity companies, and possibly on…

Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: Research strengths and a supportive environment

Today in Australia’s place in the semiconductor world, we hear from Dr Jane Fitzpatrick of series sponsor ANFF. Here she writes of the importance of Australia’s R&D community to commercial activity in semiconductors, a topic we are sure to return to in future articles. There’s no argument that to help key domestic industries like defence,…

Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: the current ‘state of the world’

In the second day of our Australia’s place in the semiconductor world editorial series, Glenn Downey and Steven Duvall provide part two of their four-part feature. Here is a look at what certain nations are doing to respond to the challenges of the era. 1) Introduction The article continues our four-part series on semiconductors and their…

Batteries of gravity and water: we found 1,500 new pumped hydro sites next to existing reservoirs

By Andrew Blakers, Australian National University; Anna Nadolny, Australian National University, and Ryan Stocks, Australian National University In eight years, Australia wants to be four-fifths powered by renewables. Solar and wind investment is pouring in. But to firm the renewables and overcome the intermittency, we need overnight energy storage. That’s why there’s so much interest…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

UPS facility speeds safe dispatch of healthcare products UPS has announced the opening of a new cutting-edge healthcare facility that provides a boost to businesses shipping time-sensitive, temperature-sensitive, and patient-critical healthcare products. The 13,400 square-metre Horsley Park, Sydney facility offers product storage at temperatures as low as -20°C, near real-time monitoring, motion-activated LED lighting, and…

Executive Director appointed at Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy

Research and commercialisation specialist Professor Emmanuel Mastio has been appointed as head of the new Australian Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy, which is led by University of New South Wales and University of Newcastle. The new Executive Director is described as an “inventor, engineer, and research and development leader” and comes to the Trailblazer…