The Australian Government is delivering 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 experts across the globe, allowing Australian researchers to connect with international research and companies and work with them on clean energy innovation.
Australian funding for the ICIRN projects announced today include:
- $3 million to the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to collaborate internationally with researchers and manufacturers on solar panel reuse and recycling, and a further $2.87 million to work with researchers across the UK, USA and EU to accelerate the integration of renewables and EVs into the electricity grid.
- $2.59 million to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to support international collaboration on grid integration technologies to transform Australia's electricity system to run entirely on renewable energy, and a further $1.97 million to advance its international leadership on energy efficient 'smart buildings'.
- $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.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said international collaboration was vital to advance clean energy innovation.
"The Australian Government is making an investment in international collaboration through these grants to help achieve a clean energy transformation," Minister 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 research projects support technologies needed to deliver the Australian Government's emissions reduction and renewable energy priorities as set out through Powering Australia.
The program also supports connection with established clean energy and climate change international cooperative forums like Mission Innovation, Clean Energy Ministerial and the IEA Technical Collaboration Programs.
