A Federal Government program will share and exchange clean energy expertise with global experts.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is contributing $5 million to the International Engagement Program (IEP).
The project will boost international collaboration among specialists in renewable energy. This will also foster links between leading Australian experts and their global renewable energy counterparts.
Applications are now open for the IEP funding round, which closes on December 15, 2017.
Clean energy expertise drives innovation
ARENA hopes the IEP will forge collaboration between Australian scientists and industry experts and their international peers.
According to ARENA, funding will be awarded to projects which help “create, collect, analyse and store knowledge”.
The goal is to boost research and technology development for clean energy such as solar power systems as well as Tesla Powerwall batteries.
Industry experts are subsequently invited to apply for program funding. This allows them to:
- Access ground-breaking knowledge.
- Exchange ideas on new sustainable technologies.
- Meet renewable energy experts across the world.
Introducing Mission Innovation Challenges to Australia
Leading researchers and industry experts can take part in the scheme via:
- Technology Collaboration Programs, run by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
- Mission Innovation Challenges, co-ordinated by Mission Innovation.
Technology Collaboration Programs have been around for more than 40 years. They enable specialists to pool critical clean energy expertise.
Mission Innovation Challenges stem from Mission Innovation, a global venture designed to boost clean energy innovation. Growing in popularity around the world, there are seven different challenges.
All but one reflect ARENA’s goal to increase supply and reduce the cost of renewable energy. In addition, they promote rooftop solar PV and smart solar storage batteries.
Those eligible to apply include:
- Current representatives to eligible IEA Technology Collaboration Programs (TCPs).
- Leading experts interested in eligible IEA TCPs with no current Australian representation.
- Researchers with an interest in eligible Mission Innovation Challenges.