CSIRO launches clean energy innovation program for SMEs

Australia’s national science agency CSIRO is calling on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on clean energy solutions to apply for its latest Innovate to Grow program.

Since its launch in 2020, CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow program has equipped over 600 SMEs with the knowledge and tools to explore research and development (R&D) opportunities and develop viable business and R&D funding plans.

CSIRO has partnered with Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRACE) to implement the new Innovate to Grow: Clean Energy program.

The free online program will provide Australian SMEs with a supportive environment with expert facilitators, experienced researchers and self-delivered products to help successful applicants overcome technical or business challenges.

Professor Emmanuel Mastio, Executive Director of TRaCE, said SMEs, scale-ups and start-ups were key to building sovereign supply chains on Australia’s path to a clean energy economy.

“We need to engage our universities and see a shift in our approach where SMEs and industry are given more support to commercialize their innovations and quickly de-risk their investments.” – said Professor Mastio.

“At TRaCE, we are extremely focused on reducing emissions and our path to Net Zero. We have taken the opportunity to expand our support ecosystem through the Clean Energy series as part of CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow program.

CSIRO’s Director of Energy, Dr Dietmar Toubier, said Australia was well-positioned to become a global leader in clean energy.

“Here in Australia we have all the essential energy minerals needed for the clean energy transition.” – said Dr. Toubier.

“There is analysis from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that shows Australia may have the cheapest clean energy of any OECD country – we want to help achieve that goal.”

SMEs play a key role in driving innovation, especially in the clean energy sector. Their flexibility and innovative approach are key to developing sustainable solutions and accelerating the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Fionna Millikan, business development director at Green Gravity, took part in the CSIRO 2023 Innovate to Grow: Energy programme. She said practical advice helped her company generate new opportunities.

“The program was very hands-on and hands-on. (Our moderator) Tony was an excellent manager and mentor, providing valuable advice and connecting me with potential research partners.” Mrs. Millikan said.

Innovate to grow: Clean Energy is open to SMEs operating in the following sub-sectors:

• Energy storage
• Electrification
• Energy modeling and integrated systems
• Carbon management
• Renewable energy
• Renewable heat
• Sustainable fuels
• Other

Applications will close on June 23, 2024.

Find out more and apply for the Innovate to Grow: Clean Energy program or discover more programs for SMEs.

TRaCE is led by UNSW and the University of Newcastle and supported by the Commonwealth Government. It aims to engage with and support partners in industry, research and education to accelerate the energy transition.

Source: https://www.csiro.au/en/