Monday 6 April 2009

AIC to provide services through new $20 Million Clean Energy Centre

The AIC was pleased to be part of the launch of Australia ’s new $20 Million Clean Energy Innovation Centre by Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr this month. The new centre is part of the Australian Government’s Enterprise Connect initiative, and the AIC is contracted to provide services offered by the Centre.

The centre was opened in front of more than 100 key stakeholders and supporters including Dr. Rowan Gilmore, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute for Commercialisation.

“The opening of this centre will help small companies to more easily participate in the clean energy sector. It also recognises the potential for massive growth in companies with clean or energy or low emissions solutions.” Dr Gilmore said.

The centre offers a range of hands-on services to small and medium sized businesses in the clean energy sector including free business reviews and supporting grants, to help boost productivity and tap into the sector's enormous potential.

“The Australian Institute for Commercialisation is excited to be able to offer its resources through the centre to help companies understand where they lie on the value chain, who they can collaborate with, and what markets and technologies are available to them”, Dr, Gilmore explained.

"From today, this centre will deliver real, practical advice to help businesses," Senator Carr said at the launch.

"Expert business advisers will be rolling up their sleeves, getting out from behind their desks and heading off to talk to businesses face-to-face about ways of improving their day to day processes.

"And it doesn't end there. Advice from the initial business review will be followed up with ongoing mentoring and the opportunity to obtain up to $20,000 in Government funding to implement improvements.

Minister for Energy, Martin Ferguson also welcomed the centre's opening.

"This centre will adopt a broad definition of the clean energy sector.  It will service firms involved in the generation of energy from renewable and low carbon sources such as solar, wind, wave, tidal, low-emission coal, biofuels and geothermal as well as cogeneration." Mr Ferguson said.

"We know the future lies in innovation and a big part of this innovation will be in the clean energy sector."

The Australian Institute for Commercialisation is working closely with Newcastle Innovation  (the University of Newcastle 's commercial arm) and the Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association to provide services to companies with clean energy needs.  

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