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connectER 🎄
DECEMBER
2020
Creating connections for growth
A message from the CEO
As we reflect on an unexpectedly disrupted 2020, we at NERA are reminded of the strength, resilience and ingenuity of Australia's energy resources sector.
The sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with measures taken to limit the spread of the virus reducing the demand for energy, driving down global commodity prices, impacting trade and economic activity worldwide and disrupting supply chains.
Despite these major headwinds and significant job losses, the sector successfully pivoted operations and accelerated adoption of digital technologies to support business continuity and drive competitiveness and is now turning to investment in energy innovation to support a low emissions future.
As our country continues to deal with the challenges of COVID-19 and looks to hopefully more normal times, it’s opportune to turn our focus to the green shoots that are appearing. It's time to rebuild, revitalise and regenerate our energy resources supply chain, focussing on the local technology, collaboration, innovation and know-how that has guided us through the pandemic to date and demonstrated Australia's position as a global energy powerhouse.
We look forward to building on the strong engagement and momentum generated across the energy resources sector to further strengthen collaborative pathways between industry, businesses, science and research.
From our team to yours, we wish you all the best as we bid a heartfelt farewell to 2020 and welcome the new year. Together we can grow these green shoots into opportunity and growth for Australia.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a well-deserved holiday break.
Miranda Taylor
NERA receives WA Government support
We're pleased to share that the Western Australian government has signed a two-year, $1 million funding agreement with NERA, demonstrating its ongoing support of an innovative and vibrant energy resources sector. Among other initiatives, the funding package will enable Hydrogen Industry Clusters in WA, our REGENERATE supply chain program and SICA (Subsea Innovation Cluster Australia).
Commenting on the partnership, Premier Mark McGowan said: “This investment of $1 million by the State Government builds on our previous contributions to NERA over the past four years, and ensures the industry growth centre will continue to be headquartered in Western Australia, supporting jobs and the economy."
NERA CEO joins discussions on a decarbonised WA economy
On 24 November, NERA CEO Miranda Taylor joined Jillian Formentin, Alex Ogg and Christophe Gaudin and the Great Southern Region of WA’s wave energy community in Albany for Sense & Sustainability: Towards an innovative decarbonised WA economy, hosted by the UWA Wave Energy Research Centre (WERC), to discuss the role of wave energy in sustainability and the race to a decarbonised energy future.
The Great Southern Region has a vibrant and growing economy, with renewable energy solutions driving a net zero carbon and prosperous future for the region, and NERA is proud to support the WERC in Albany as a key knowledge hub for the ocean energy community and providing world-class multi-disciplinary research facilities.
There is huge potential for Albany to become a hub for integrated renewable energy systems and to host a market demonstration site where solutions can be showcased, explored and innovation demonstrated to add real value to end users. 2021 looks set to be an exciting year for WA’s Great Southern Region, the WERC in Albany and the ocean energy community.
Melbourne-based SPEE3D has re-written the rules for 3D printing
With support from NERA, Santos Ltd and Charles Darwin University, SPEE3D is not only enhancing Australia's sovereign capability in manufacturing, but also translating world-leading research into a truly commercial opportunity.
The use of the ground-breaking technology to 3D-print spare parts on-site quickly and flexibly has huge potential across many industries, including the oil and gas sector and defence, and is a fantastic example of why collaboration is so important if Australia is going to be a smart country.
CORE Sprint: Female Founders winners announced at virtual pitch night
Congratulations to female founders Annette McClelland from Tekuma Tech and Erin Bell from Camp Connect, who have taken home awards as part of the inaugural CORE Sprint: Female Founders Pre Accelerator Program delivered by CORE Innovation Hub and Plus Eight, with support from NERA.
The winners were announced at the virtual pitch night held on 11 November 2020, which marked the final stage of the intensive eight-week program for seven of Australia’s finest female founders.
Join NERA as our National Cluster Development Manager (Energy)
We are seeking a National Cluster Development Manager (Energy) to facilitate the development of NERA’s network of regional hydrogen technology clusters across Australia.
Based in Melbourne, the role involves working closely with the cluster network to build their communities of practice, develop their business plans and future funding models and identify opportunities for integration into Australia’s growing hydrogen industry and infrastructure hubs.
Apply via Seek by 21 December 2020.
Last chance to apply — Moon to Mars: Demonstrator Feasibility Grants
Applications due 22 December 2020
Grants from $50K–$200K are now available to help businesses and research institutions demonstrate the feasibility of space projects as part of the Australian Space Agency's Australian Moon to Mars Demonstrator Feasibility Grants. Funding is available to Australian businesses and publicly funded research organisations with space projects that will showcase Australia’s strengths to the world.
Northern Territory National Innovation Games in renewable energy
February 2021
Paddl is calling for Expressions of Interest from NT students and graduates to participate in upcoming virtual hackathon-inspired challenges as part of the NT National Innovation Games. Held in February 2021 with support from ISAC NT, the Darwin Innovation Hub and NERA, the Innovation Games are committed to fostering rapid growth in a renewables economy for the NT.
AOG Energy
10–11 March 2021
NERA is pleased to return as a Principal Sponsor of AOG Energy (formerly known as the Australasian Oil and Gas Conference & Exhibition). Curated to reflect the evolution of oil and gas, AOG Energy is the cornerstone of a broader offering and a platform for innovation in all aspects with a renewed focus on the energy transition, including hydrogen, renewables and emissions reduction technology.
About NERA
NERA has been established to maximise value to the Australian economy by having an energy resources sector that is globally competitive, sustainable, innovative and diverse. Through a national focus, NERA's role is to grow collaboration and innovation to assist the energy resources sector manage cost structures and productivity, direct research to industry needs, deliver the future work skills required and promote fit for purpose regulation. NERA is one of six Growth Centres established by the Australian Government under the Industry Growth Centres Initiative. To learn more visit www.nera.org.au.
About Industry Growth Centres
The Industry Growth Centres Initiative is an industry-led approach driving innovation, productivity and competitiveness by focussing on areas of competitive strength and strategic priority. This will help Australia transition into smart, high value and export-focussed industries. The Initiative enables national action on key issues such as collaboration, commercialisation, international engagement, skills and regulation reform. It drives excellence, not dependence, and will create an economy that ensures Australia’s ongoing prosperity. More information can be found here.