The projects, announced by Minister for the Environment, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, will see seven Australian universities collaborating with industry partners from the resources, agriculture, finance and property industries in projects.
The initial $17 million in funding from the Australian Government has leveraged contributions from the private and public sectors, with the combined investment totalling more than $54 million.
The successful projects are focused on solving a number of industry challenges that will transform Australia’s energy networks and systems.
Funding will support a diverse range of projects including new ways to produce biogas from sugarcane, investigating how robots could capture data for solar installation diagnostics and the production of low cost materials for use in the industrial refrigeration market.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson congratulated the universities leading the projects and their continued commitment to industry-based collaboration.
“These projects have the potential to deliver incredible benefits to businesses and consumers by finding commercially-viable renewable energy solutions to Australia’s industry problems,” Ms Robinson said.
“There are enormous opportunities to build our nation’s future prosperity through partnerships forged in joint projects like the ones announced today.”
These announcements follow the recent launch of a Universities Australia-Department of Education and Training publication, World-Leading Research in Australia’s Universities, showcasing examples of collaborative research projects that will deliver new jobs and new industries for Australia.
