The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has unveiled a A$20 million (US$15.2 million) research and development funding program for projects that seek to develop and commercialise renewable energy.
The funding represents the second round of the ARENA’s Research & Development Programme that supports industry and research partnerships. Government-backed ARENA is providing A$21.5 million funding to 12 projects in the first round, which is focussed on solar.
“This round will support industry and research partnerships to deliver R&D projects with practical applications and commercially-oriented outcomes that integrate renewable energy into networks, buildings and industrial processes,” said ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht. “ARENA understands the importance of supporting R&D projects to drive innovation and advance renewable energy technologies and solutions suited to the 21st century.
“ARENA is not, however, in the business of investing in research for the sake of research; our goal with this R&D round is to further align our investment in research and development with the needs of industry.Strong collaboration between researchers and industry will help ensure Australia’s world-class renewable energy research is translated into commercial outcomes that increase the economic, social and environmental return on investment in R&D.”
Frischknecht said ARENA had sought input from key industry and research stakeholders to identify R&D priorities that would help meet the challenges facing Australia’s energy market and future energy supply. “Proposed projects must address one of four priority technology areas and develop industry-research partnerships with at least one eligible Australian research institution (research partner) and at least one industry partner,” Frischknecht said.