$12.4 million awarded for clean energy innovation

The Australian Government has announced $12.4 million in funding to support five major projects through the International Clean Innovation Researcher Networks (ICIRN) grant program.

The ICIRN grants support technologies needed to deliver the government’s emissions reduction and renewable energy goals. The program is intended to support Australian researchers to build networks with global experts to develop renewable energy and clean technologies. These include solar, wind, storage and green metals as well as their supply chains.

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,” he said.

International collaboration is important to advancing clean energy innovation. The government says the grants will enhance Australian action in international clean energy initiatives, including the Global Power System Transformation Consortium, Mission Innovation, the Clean Energy Ministerial and the International Energy Agency’s Technical Collaboration Programs.

Grant funding for the ICIRN projects announced on 28 July includes:

• $2.59 million to CSIRO for research on the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid.
• $1.97 million to CSIRO to advance its international leadership on energy-efficient ‘smart buildings’ to use energy more efficiently and effectively in buildings.
• $3 million to RMIT University for a project on solar panel recycling and reuse of recycled materials in new solar panels and batteries.
• $2.87 million to RMIT University to accelerate the integration of renewables and electric vehicles into the electricity grid.
• $2 million to The University of Melbourne to establish the Researcher Network for Decarbonising the Building Industry. The network will advance renewable energy integration, production of low-carbon materials and optimising building operations for energy efficiency.
   

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