The Australian Government is investing in the future of energy innovation by backing new technology projects that harness opportunities from the deepest oceans to outer space.
The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology stated that AUS$ 344,000 would be provided to support two new industry-led collaboration projects through National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), one of the Federal Government’s six Industry Growth Centres.
The first project will help leverage Australia’s world-leading capabilities in remote operations, AI, machine learning and automation to create new markets and build scale between the energy resources sector and emerging global space industry.
The project will power the newly formed Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth (AROSE) consortium to map Australia’s current technology capabilities and identify opportunities to position Australia as a future hub and exporter of remote operations technology solutions for space.
The second project will accelerate the development and delivery of a world-first augmented machine vision solution, which is capable of revolutionising the way the energy industry inspects and maintains equipment deep underwater.
These projects are examples of how Australia can lead the next decade and beyond in technology innovation by leveraging the nation’s industry knowledge and encouraging the exchange of ideas across sectors.
It proves that by getting the industry to work together, the country can see its world-leading energy resources sector expand even further and take on new frontiers.
Space presents Australia with huge economic opportunities. These cross-sector opportunities will be essential if the country to reach its goal of tripling the size of the space economy to AUS$12 billion a year and an extra 20,000 jobs by 2030.
The CEO of NERA stated that the agency was working to ensure Australia remains globally competitive now and into the future, and this means supporting the local energy ecosystem to design and develop the next generation of energy technology at home.
NERA is proud to create connections for growth across our sector that bridge the gap between the science and commercial worlds, drive economic and safety improvements across the sector and invest in new technology projects that are supporting Australia’s transition towards a low carbon future.
The Western Australian Science Minister stated that AROSE presents an opportunity to leverage Western Australia’s world-class expertise to create an estimated 1,500 WA jobs in five years. The Western Australian Government is a founding partner of AROSE along with Woodside, Fugro, Nova Systems, Curtin University and The University of Western Australia.
The McGowan Government is seizing the opportunity to take part in the new generation space race to diversify the WA economy and create WA jobs.
Last month, it was announced that AUS$1.5 million to secure the headquarters of AROSE in Perth and the Minister welcomes the Commonwealth collaborating with us on this exciting project.
I look forward to working with my federal counterparts and industry to unlock more opportunities for Western Australia in this emerging sector.
Both projects form part of NERA’s energy innovation ecosystem that is leading the sector-wide transformation to unlock +AUS$10 billion of new value for the Australian economy.
Green technology in Australia
OpenGov Asia recently reported that New South Wales aims to attract $11.6 billion of private investment and create 2400 new jobs under the government’s ambitious 10-year plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
The plan, the first of its kind in Australia, will drive about two-thirds of the investment to regional and rural NSW and is expected to save households $40 a year on electricity bills.
It will be “the foundation for the state’s action on climate change” and will also deliver a 35 per cent emissions reduction from 2005 levels by 2030.
The NSW Energy Minister stated that the state would lead Australia with its Net Zero Plan.
Where there are technologies that can reduce both emissions and costs for households and businesses, the aim is to roll them out across the state.
Where these technologies are not yet commercial, the state wants to invest in their development so they will be available in the decades to come.
The government will accelerate the research and development of low emissions technologies that show potential for becoming “scalable, replicable and cost-effective”.
It will also “lead by example” when it comes to government purchasing policy.