A new research-driven hub with a focus on energy and sustainability is set to arrive at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus in 2023, with a budget of $5.2 million. The Energy Transition Hub will enable collaboration between researchers and industry to translate innovative research ideas from the lab into the commercial market.
The Energy Transition Hub will be open to both students and industry, and will include a cutting-edge future energy grid laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art digital energy technology.
According to Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, the university is enthusiastic about the partnership with Siemens on this project. The two organisations have collaborated for several years in pursuit of a common vision of harnessing the combined power of people and technology to create a more prosperous world.
To achieve Australia’s ambitious carbon reduction targets, a concerted effort is required from industry, research, and government. The Hub aims to contribute to this effort by exploring new technologies that can enhance efficiency, supply, integration, storage, transport, and utilisation of energy. The hub will also focus on finding ways to improve existing technologies and frameworks to help mitigate climate change.
She also noted that the need for swift action to address the urgent issue of climate change is paramount, and the partnership will prioritise the translation of ideas into commercial products that can have the greatest possible impact in the shortest amount of time.
Enabling a greener future
The Energy Transition Hub will serve as a collaborative space for researchers and industry to collaborate on impactful solutions for building more sustainable and efficient energy systems for the future. The hub will feature a digital replica of Australia’s energy market, providing a platform for commercial-research teams to test and simulate new ideas and solutions.
The CEO and Chairman of the partnering firm’s Australia and New Zealand arm expressed pride in extending its long-standing relationship with Swinburne University of Technology through the establishment of the new Energy Transition Hub.
The collaboration between academia and industry plays a crucial role in driving better outcomes for critical national issues such as energy transition. Digitalisation, in particular, can help achieve more with fewer resources by utilizing technology to identify opportunities for reducing energy consumption and emissions.
The Director of the new Hub and Swinburne researcher stated that establishing an industry-led Energy Transition Hub at Swinburne will provide a world-class laboratory space to conduct cutting-edge research that aligns with the needs of industry, ultimately contributing to the global effort to address the challenge of energy transition.
The Energy Transition Hub is committed to pursuing high-impact industry-led research and development projects that align with Australia’s carbon reduction targets. In addition, the hub will provide opportunities for Swinburne students and industry professionals to acquire new skills and knowledge in preparation for the next generation of energy technologies and future electrical networks.
Along with research and development and commercialisation projects, the Energy Transition Hub will also provide short courses aimed at industry professionals.
In addition to industry professionals, the Energy Transition Hub will also benefit Swinburne students, who will have access to Siemens software and real-world industry expertise integrated into engineering technology courses. The hub will provide access to Siemens Grid Software portfolio’s software and hardware products.
The Dean of Swinburne’s School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies stated that the University is thrilled to be using leading technology from the partnering firm’s Grid Software portfolio to test new, creative solutions through digital simulation, allowing for faster and more efficient commercialisation, where advances in energy tech and renewable energy integrations can do the most good: on the grid and in homes.