Our Projects
At the AIC we work on a diverse range of projects across a range of sectors. Below is a summary of some of the projects we have recently worked on.
- Clean Technology Projects
- Enabling Technologies Projects
- Energy Projects
- Market Research Projects
- Technology Transfer Projects
- Transition Planning Projects
- International Projects
Clean Technology Projects
Client: Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
Topic: Energy Knowledge Transfer and Sharing
The Australian government is investing significantly in large scale clean technology demonstration projects for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and solar energy. Sharing the knowledge gained from these projects is vital for commercially viable industry development. This project reviewed the existing knowledge framework developed by the Global CCS Institute and interviewed 15 CCS stakeholders and 23 solar stakeholders including project participants, government, financiers and industry bodies. A framework to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing, and a series of recommendations were delivered through two reports.
Client: Enterprise Connect (DIISR)
Topic: Increasing uptake of clean energy technologies
The AIC has delivered a range of R&D Forums and TechClinic� in partnership with the Commonwealth Government's Clean Energy Innovation Centre. These workshops typically focus on assisting SMEs to access emerging market opportunities through informing them and connecting them into relevant supply chains and industry projects. The AIC has successfully used its industry innovation framework and associated services to drive economic and industry activity in energy storage, the smart grid, and geothermal and direct use heat. The TechClinics have produced tangible outcomes including the creation of joint research-industry groups to advance a particular sector, and specific linkages between customers and participating SMEs to develop new products or services for specialist project needs.
Enabling Technologies Projects
Client: Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria
Topic: Industry Absorption of Small Technologies
The Victorian Government aimed to increase industry access to university knowledge and infrastructure in Victoria to make industries more innovative and drive economic development. This research study of 45 Victorian organisations (17 supplier, 28 uptaker) aimed to investigate the absorptive capacity of industry in Victoria to uptake small (enabling) technologies (biotechnology, microtechnology, nanotechnology). This study identified the types of organisations that successfully supply and uptake small technologies, the barriers to industry absorption of small technologies, national and international initiatives with respect to small technologies, and reasoned policy recommendations for the Victorian government.
Client: Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Victoria
Topic: Industry Access to University Knowledge and Infrastructure
The Victorian Government aimed to increase industry access to university knowledge and infrastructure in Victoria to make industries more innovative and drive economic development. This research study involved consultation with 50 medium and high technology Victorian companies (using OECD industry categories) and five research organisations to gain insights into the issues and impediments associated with industry access to university knowledge and infrastructure in Victoria. The study reviewed the existing literature and international initiatives, identified the types of companies that successfully engaged with research organisations and those that did not, identified new insights into barriers to industry engagement with research organisations, and made reasoned policy recommendations for the Victorian government.
Energy Projects
Client: Energex Ltd
Topic: Residential Demand Management
Energex Ltd. seeks to proactively manage increases to peak electricity demand on its network. To assist with this, ENERGEX commissioned the AIC to engage with the air conditioner and pool pump industries to assist it identify an optimal demand management solution for residential air conditioner appliances. The AIC consulted with industry through more than 30 individual interviews and its proprietary TechClinic� process, which involved an industry consultation and facilitation process to assess the key drivers, challenges and opportunities for industry with respect to load control of residential air conditioners and pool pumps. The TechClinic� process is a facilitated process driving innovation and collaboration to solve complex industry challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Client: Energex Ltd Topic: Residential Demand Management
Energex Ltd. seeks to proactively manage increases to peak electricity demand on its network. To assist with this, ENERGEX commissioned the AIC to evaluate various customer value propositions to ensure its proposed demand management services met the needs of the market. Customer feedback showed that pricing incentives were a key component to drive market uptake of the proposed service.
Market Research Projects
Client: Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM)
Topic: Business intelligence to support the commercialisation of new CECAP technology
VCAMM identified that support was needed to help gain market intelligence to assist in business planning and commercialisation activities for the new CECAP technology. This technology is used for enhancing the strength, formability and joining properties of alloys to deliver high-performance, lightweight materials for global transport.The AIC was engaged to help VCAMM assess the market by providing trends, volumes and prices of different materials for the global transport markets. The AIC was later engaged by VCAMM to provide further market intelligence, required to better define identified markets, and understand potentially competitive technologies.
Technology Transfer Projects
Client: Commonwealth Dept of Innovation, Industry, Science and ResearchTopic: Research - industry collaboration
Through its TechFast program, the Industry Access Program, and Researchers in Business, the AIC has facilitated nearly 200 collaborations between the research sector and industry partners for the Australian Government. These include collaborations with such iconic Australian companies as RipCurl, La Casa Del Formaggio, RME, and Frontline. Through such collaborations, the resulting technology transfer has resulted in increased sales revenue and exports for the firms involved, creating an impact of between $150M - $350M in the Australian economy annually.
Transition Planning Projects
Client: CRC for Infrastructure and Asset Management (CIEAM)Topic: Transition and commercialisation planning
The AIC has been selected as project manager for the implementation of transition and implementation activities for the establishment of a business plan for CIEAM's continuation beyond the Australian CRC Program.
The process hinges on key milestones including the establishment of a value proposition and capability statement; the development of a range of case studies to validate the worth of CIEAM 's work; and a commercialisation plan for CIEAM's star rated projects.
International Projects
Client: Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)Topic: Improving commercialisation of public and private research output
AIC was engaged to provide MIGHT with expertise and knowledge in areas of development of technology-based start-ups and businesses. This included transferring AIC knowledge and innovation management systems to MIGHT to improve its own process of commercialisation of new technologies.
Client: Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM)
Topic: Increasing research - industry collaboration
The AIC was engaged to provide SIRIM with a benchmarking analysis on the different royalty and technology fees applicable to SIRIM's intellectual property. In the report provided, the AIC delivered critical background IP and market information for SIRIM to value their intellectual property.
Client: Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
Topic: Improving commercialisation of public research output
In partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, the AIC has been engaged since 2008 to deliver commercialisation training programs to Malaysia researchers to improve the commercialisation understanding and capability across the Malaysian Research Sector.
Client: Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI)
Topic: Improving commercialisation of public and private research output
The AIC is current assisting the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) to develop a commercialisation framework for KISTI to further enhance KISTI's ability to support the commercialisation activities of Korean technology-based SMEs.
