TRaCE-backed, UNSW-based electrical engineering consultancy launched

University of NSW has established what it says is the first university-based service in Australia providing technical expertise to help businesses, particularly startups, solve electrical engineering problems quickly.

According to a statement from the university on Wednesday, its new Technology Translation Squad provides “critical engineering support to green tech startups” to speed up commercialisation of their products. 

It was supported by funding from the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE), which is jointly delivered by UNSW and University of Newcastle, and founded by TRaCE’s Co-lead Electrification, Energy Systems and Storage Professor John Fletcher and Lead Technology Translator Dr Matthew Priestly.

The TTS was inspired by Fletcher’s time at University of Strathclyde in Scotland, where he and his team “built a national network of researchers providing rapid, low-bureaucracy support for technical challenges, making university expertise more accessible and responsive to real-world needs.”

According to the statement from UNSW it addresses “a massive skills shortage in the electrical engineering field” and provides up to five days’ specialised support, with a fee-for-service arrangement after that.

“If an SME or a startup has an interesting challenge that needs support, the only option has been to go to one of the big consultancy companies, which can be prohibitively expensive for these young companies,” said Priestly, who added that the transition to net zero by 2050 had created strong demand for electrical engineers.

Also announced was a $2.2 million project between energy storage company Green Gravity and UNSW TTS, with previous work between the two teams already producing “significant value”.

Green Gravity has developed a gravity-based system for long-duration energy storage using existing vertical mine shafts.

The new project will see TTS and Green Gravity “work together to design and optimise the key electrical systems that underpin the storage system.”

Mark Swinnerton, Founder and CEO of Green Gravity, added: “Our collaboration brings together industry knowledge and academic research to ensure our technology is efficient, safe, and ready for commercial deployment.”    

Picture: Peter McNair, Priestley and Dr Thomas McNeill (credit UNSW Sydney)

Further reading

Investors weigh in behind Green Gravity energy storage

Green Gravity looks to energy storage in Mt Isa

Green Gravity to test mineshaft energy storage system

Executive Director appointed at Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy

Federal government awards $50 million to new clean tech and recycling Trailblazer hub