ARENA to provide USD 15 mln for R&D projects

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced up to USD 15.15 mln (AUD 20 mln) in funding for development and commercialization of renewable energy technologies.

This round of funding is dedicated to industry-partnered research and development projects.

Ivor Frischknecht, ARENA’s CEO, said: “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.”

Ivor Frischknecht stated, however, that ARENA is not in the business of investing in research for the sake of it, but rather to align investment in research and development with the needs of industry.

Frischknecht added: “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.”

According to Frischknecht, 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.

He said: “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.”

Expressions of interest are open until June 19, 2015.

ARENA has allocated up to USD 227.5 million over 2013-2022 for its Research & Development Programme to support projects that will advance renewable energy innovation and increase the commercial deployment of cutting edge technologies in Australia.

ARENA is the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, a commercially oriented agency established by the Australian Government in 2012 whose aim is to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies, and to increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia.

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Image: ARENA