Friday 6 March 2009

Clean Energy Gets $20 Million Boost

Australia is well positioned to become the clean energy hub of the Asia Pacific with the announcement by the Australian Government of $20 million in funding for a national Clean Energy Innovation Centre.

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC) is excited to be a key participant in the centre, together with Newcastle Innovation and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association. The initiative will provide hands-on assistance to small and medium enterprises developing new technologies that generate or deliver clean energy.

"This centre will assist firms in the clean energy sector to tap into expertise, research and technologies through partner organisations and their networks," said Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

"By providing a range of business improvement services, the centre will capitalise on export opportunities, boost productivity and encourage Australia 's transition to a low-carbon future."

Dr. Rowan Gilmore, Chief Executive of the AIC said “The AIC is delighted to work with the government and its Clean Energy Innovation Centre partners to help grow companies developing and applying new clean energy technologies.  The fact that this will help a new Australian industry to emerge and give companies the opportunity to take a global lead in developing alternative energy sources makes our participation even more exciting”.

“The AIC, through its TechFast and TechClinic services has been able to help build connectivity and collaboration between researchers and businesses in a number of sectors, and this is an opportunity to help connect the disparate, yet world leading clean energy product and service development activity going on across Australia,” Dr Gilmore said.

If Australia is to secure its position as a leader in the clean energy field we need to bring together and connect our national capability in both research and business, and this is what the Clean Energy Innovation Centre will do.”

The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, welcomed the news. 

"Investment in clean energy is an investment in Australia 's future. Renewable energy is a growing sector with enormous employment potential," Mr Ferguson said.

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