Have a renewable energy project that you think could change the world? Australia’s national renewable energy agency is giving millions in funding to help launch projects to the world stage.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has recently announced that it will offer up to $5 million in grants to forge links between Australia’s top renewable energy researchers and their colleagues around the globe as part of the International Engagement Program (IEP).
According to ARENA Chief Executive Ivor Frischknecht, the IEP provides candidates with access to world-leading information that can lead to better opportunities for commercialisation of Australian renewable energy technologies.
“Australia has vast renewable energy resources, extensive research capability and strong relationships with key international energy parties,” Frischknecht said
“The program will enhance Australia’s access to global knowledge and have it widely shared with the relevant Australian sector to advance renewable energy innovation in areas that align with ARENA’s purpose and priorities.”
ARENA has invited researchers and industry experts to apply for grants to participate in two international programs: technology collaborations (run by the International Energy Agency); and mission innovation challenges (run by Mission Innovation).
Technology collaboration programs (TCP) establish international working groups to solve specific issues within the energy field, and to set in motion multinational energy projects. This initiative has been running for 42 years, and involves more than 6000 experts from 51 countries. In the renewable energy sector, TCP groups focus on areas including bioenergy, concentrated solar power, photovoltaic solar power, ocean energy systems, geothermal, wind, hydropower and hydrogen.
Mission innovation challenges were established following the 2015 Paris climate talks. Each is based on one of seven topics, including advancing smart grids, carbon capture innovation, and affordable heating and cooling. As part of this initiative, participating countries have committed to double their research and development spending in transformative clean energy by 2021, while fostering greater private sector investment. ARENA estimates that this will add up to a global increase of around US$30 billion per year in 2021.
The program is seeking applications from the “movers and shakers” of the international energy world, who are driven to boost Australia’s capacity for innovation in research and development and position themselves at the forefront the global effort, said ARENA IEP lead Emily Morton.
“We’re looking for people who will extract the most value out of international networks while understanding the Australian energy market and it’s needs in a changing time,” she said.
Applications close on 13 December 2017. For more information visit ARENA’s IEP webpage.