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connectER
A message from the CEO:
Creativity in a world of turmoil — Australia’s connected and innovation-based energy future
Faced with so much turmoil in the world and the reality that we are not in control of many things, it would be easy to turn away from it all in gloom and resignation. Yet by welcoming a high level of discomfort and digging deep, we can ignite a spark of energy and work together creatively to build a sustainable and just future for Australians and the world. This is also true for the transformation of Australia’s energy resources sector.
Now is not the time for industry to play it safe. To survive and thrive means taking leadership, expertise, planning and operational discipline, and it also requires accelerated innovation, collaboration, deployment and scale. I would like to open this edition of NERA’s newsletter by reflecting on the power of our brand tagline: Creating connections for growth.
This week I was in a deep dive workshop as part of NERA’s GeneratER open innovation challenge program, where a large energy company opened up a grand challenge for Australia’s innovative entrepreneurs, technology developers and small businesses to help solve. Three small businesses (shortlisted from a larger EOI) had the opportunity to connect, discover, explore and frame the challenge and their potential solutions with the challenge owners.
For me, the most interesting thing to emerge from the deep dive was the exploration of novel connections where, for example, it might be plausible to combine known technologies and solutions with something ground-breaking, and through this combination provide more rapid, pragmatic, deployable and scalable solutions.
There is no doubt that complex, multi-layered challenges need domain/subject expertise, teams and strong leaders within the big companies to support and structure the innovation work, but to adapt fast enough, these companies are looking to include external innovation. They are seeking to rapidly transfer and deploy solutions, including partnerships beyond their traditional supply chains.
All the above illustrates why creating connections for growth has been NERA’s mantra since we opened in 2016. Through our programs such as GeneratER, Subsea Industry Cluster Australia (SICA), the Hydrogen Technology Cluster network (H2TCA) and LETs Pitch, we are successfully building the networks and connections needed to facilitate and coordinate the rapid transfer of innovation and technology across all sectors of the economy. And through creating more complex supply chains, we are supporting Australia to diversify and decarbonise our energy sector and our economy.
WA SMEs with low-emissions technology — submit your EOI to LETs Pitch WA
Applications to LETs Pitch WA close in just under two weeks — if you are an SME with an innovative low emissions technology, submit your EOI today for the chance to connect with potential investors, customers and access new opportunities to accelerate your business' growth.
Shortlisted SMEs will receive a customised pitch readiness program with tailored mentoring, but they'll also be given the opportunity to pitch to a panel of blue-chip investors, venture capitalists and industry
experts, as well as have the chance to join the "Team WA" delegation to ONS in Norway.
Applications close 19 April 2022.
Celebrating three years of Australia's Energy Technology Platform
For three years, Australia’s Energy Technology Platform has connected Australian technology suppliers and end-users to solve energy sector challenges and deploy technologies to domestic and global markets.
With NERA's support, the platform enables Australian businesses to showcase their solutions for free to +600 leading energy companies from 50 different countries. And in 2022, we plan to expand the platform’s coverage to include a wider array of low emissions technologies.
Check out the platform today to showcase your technology or access the best-in-class solutions available in Australia.
How do we decarbonise the LNG industry?
“The scale and pace of change required to decarbonise the industry, much like the broader economy, demands unprecedented technology development, collaboration, investment and policy support.”
In the latest LNG Industry Magazine edition, NERA CEO Miranda Taylor discusses the decarbonisation of Australia’s LNG industry and the importance of working together to make this goal a reality.
H2TCA cluster spotlight:
South Australian Hydrogen Technology Cluster
The South Australian Hydrogen Technology Cluster (SA-H2H) has developed a South Australian Hydrogen Refuelling Station Network (SAHRSN) feasibility study to drive hydrogen demand and determine the most viable pathway to establish a state-wide hydrogen refuelling network and the economic outcomes of a hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) network.
NERA to undertake new LNG Jobs Taskforce study
NERA has been commissioned by the Government of Western Australia’s LNG Jobs Taskforce to facilitate a new study on the opportunities and benefits of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and carbon capture and storage (CCS) development in WA.
CCS and CCUS are important technologies that could help to decarbonise the Western Australian economy, and this study will provide a better understanding of the role it can play, as well as opportunities a WA CCS/CCUS hub would create.
Local hydrogen technology receives prestigious global recognition
Australian Hydrogen innovation company Star Scientific has been internationally recognised for its innovative hydrogen technology at the 24th Annual SXSW Innovation Awards. Winners under the New Economy category, Star Scientific's HERO® technology has been celebrated as one of the most innovative tech developments in the connected world.
Star Scientific is a valuable contributor to our H2TCA network, and their HERO® technology is a fantastic example of local ingenuity that is vital to assist in decarbonising Australia’s energy sector.
Opportunities for SMEs
Each month, we feature several grant opportunities that may be of interest and applicable to your business:
NERA is proud to be supporting and participating in a number of upcoming events, including:
- 2022 Hydrogen Expo (H2EXPO)
Hobart, 4–8 April 2022 - TCI Oceania Conference,
Cairns, 4–6 May 2022 - Australian Ocean Energy Summit
Hobart, 10–11 May 2022 - Australian Hydrogen Conference (AHC22) East
Adelaide, 31 May – 1 June 2022 - Australian Energy Week
Melbourne, 6–9 June 2022
About NERA
NERA (National Energy Resources Australia) is an independent not-for-profit organisation funded through Federal Government grants and collaborative programs by state/territory governments, industry and the science and research community. NERA is working with our partners to catalyse low emissions and digital technologies to support Australia’s energy transition, and to grow innovative SMEs and supply chains. We work with our energy sector partners to improve Australia’s performance in the commercialisation of innovation and the scale-up of technologies and to help Australian industry to diversify and decarbonise. To learn more, visit www.nera.org.au.