Defence Trailblazer funding manufacturing to help Defence and industry transition to clean energy

Defence Trailblazer has announced it is actively working with industry partners in funding a range of projects to develop emissions-reducing technologies to accelerate Defence’s transition to clean energy set out in the Defence Future Energy Strategy. The projects will also bolster the advanced manufacturing sector — supporting the energy transition while maintaining economic competitiveness.

Defence Trailblazer initiatives support the whole-of-government action to reduce emissions to 62–70% below 2005 levels by 2035 (Net Zero Plan, 2025) and are aligned with the Department of Defence’s Net Zero Strategy, which provides an actionable pathway to the target of net zero emissions by 2050.

Supported by funding from Defence Trailblazer’s Technology Development & Acceleration portfolio, the projects are led by defence industry partners in collaboration with academics from the University of Adelaide and UNSW. Three projects led by Electric Motor Power, Ocius Technology and Praxis are developing low-emissions technologies within the priority theme of robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence capabilities.

Electric Motor Power is collaborating with researchers from the University of Adelaide to develop high performance and sustainable electric motors. This project will integrate advanced materials — such as amorphous magnetic materials and soft magnetic composites — into electric motor design to create lighter, more efficient and eco-friendly motors, with wide-ranging applications for Defence platforms.

In a project that will directly support the Defence supply chain, Ocius Technology and UNSW Canberra are partnering to increase the rapid scaling of production of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the Royal Australian Navy. The Ocius Bluebottle USV fleet is powered by renewable energy — utilising solar, wind and wave power, or a combination of energy sources — and offers significant operational advantages over conventional methods.

Praxis and members of the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing at the University of Adelaide are developing a new generation of camouflage photovoltaic solar modules. The project will demonstrate the first prototype of a ‘Camouflaged Tactical Solar’ module to support the energy resilience of Defence systems by reducing reliance on fossil fuels in remote and inaccessible locations.

“At Defence Trailblazer, we have been consistently impressed by the innovative research being carried out by our industry partners and collaborating academics,” said Dr Margaret Law, General Manager – Technology Development & Acceleration at Defence Trailblazer. “The Net Zero strategy requires transformational uplift to prepare for future energy needs. By investing in low-emissions energy technologies, projects like these are ensuring a capable and resilient sovereign supply chain.”

Defence Trailblazer has also supported numerous Australian ventures through its Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence (EFD) program. The following EFD ventures position themselves as renewable technology companies and sovereign capability providers:

• Advanced Composite Design Corporation is developing lightweight semi solid-state nickel iron batteries to replace lithium batteries in warfighter equipment, which reduces the burden of heavy equipment and enhances safety.
• Aquila Space Technologies delivers scalable wireless energy systems that power drones and remote infrastructure. The venture’s long-range optical power transfer technology solves endurance bottlenecks for Defence, border security and industrial drone operations, and accelerates electrification in remote areas.
• CleanSubSea is targeting Defence and civilian sectors with its patented in-water hull cleaning robot that provides complete removal and filtration of marine growth and bio-fouling from vessel hulls.
• ecoJet Engineering has designed deployable lightweight microturbine generators — a highly scalable and adaptable power system that is fuel-agnostic and able to be lifted by a single soldier.
• Electro Base provides off-grid power and energy needs for commercial and industrial entities, and fast e-mobility charging.
• UNSW spin-out Hullbot has completed several pilots of its unmanned robotic cleaning system, engineered to automate hull maintenance for Defence and civilian vessels.
• SolaLinx is developing LightEnhancer, a modular optical-thermal overlay that boosts rooftop solar output and extends panel life on Defence and critical infrastructure sites.
   

“These case studies showcase the huge technological scope of the projects and ventures,” said Defence Trailblazer Project Manager Richard Williamson. “Our industry partners are leveraging Defence Trailblazer’s entire suite of R&D and innovation pathways to fast-track their leading-edge technologies — delivering sovereign capabilities that will improve Defence’s energy resilience and help achieve net zero.”

Image credit: iStock.com/HowardOates