The NSW government is investing $64 million into the state’s the first two green hydrogen hub projects, in the Illawarra and Moree, as it also opens up applications for $1.5 billion in concessions for large-scale green hydrogen producers. The initial recipients are the BOC Illawarra Hydrogen Technology Hub and Sundown’s Keytah cotton farm near Moree.… Read more »
Melbourne aerospace startup Kite Magnetics has revealed its 120 kW air-cooled electric motor, the world’s most powerful for planes, at the Avalon Air Show. The lightweight motor, made from a unique new magnetic material called Aeroperm, is more powerful than a small car engine but only weighs as much as a full suitcase. Kite Magnetics… Read more »
Atlassian cofounder and renewables advocate Mike Cannon-Brookes has backed a new fund to finance grid-scale battery projects via his family fund, Grok Ventures. Canberra-based specialist fund manager Infradebt announced that Grok, JANA Diversified Infrastructure Trust and several existing family office clients had participated in the first close of its Infradebt Energy Transition Fund (ETF). The… Read more »
Scientists at RMIT have made a breakthrough by developing a cheaper and more energy-efficient way to make hydrogen directly from seawater, without needing to desalinate the water. Hydrogen has long been touted as a sustainable alternative fuel and a potential solution to critical energy challenges, particularly for industries that are more difficult to transition to… Read more »
Australian environmental startup accelerator and investor Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) is again running its six-month accelerator program for startups working on solutions to transform ocean health. The not-for-profit seeks 10 “game-changing” startups working on sustainability solutions. Startups focusing on ocean-related issues can apply here. The Ocean Impact Accelerator Program (OIAP) is an initiative that helps… Read more »
Lithium is the new black as demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy batteries grows, so Australia’s largest climate tech startup accelerator EnergyLab, has decided to do something about it, backing 11 startups in the space in a new program Australia produces 60% of the world’s lithium, but only represents 1% of global product value… Read more »
Sun Cable – considered to be the world’s biggest renewable energy export project – announced this week it had entered voluntary administration following “the absence of alignment” with shareholders. Sun Cable is expected to cost over A$30 billion. It proposes to build an enormous, 12,000 hectare solar farm in the Northern Territory, add an enormous… Read more »
A University of Sydney Professor developing cutting edge solar technology has received $2.78 million in research funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to commercial the idea in a partnership with Sydney startup SunDrive. Professor Ho-Baillie, the John Hooke Chair of Nanoscience at the university’s the School of Physics and Sydney Nano Hub, is… Read more »
The world is under growing pressure to find sustainable options to cut emissions or lessen the impacts of climate change. Technology entrepreneurs from around the globe claim to have the solutions – not just yet, but soon. The biotech sector in particular is now using climate change as an urgent argument for more government funding,… Read more »
A convergence of tailwinds and current market conditions make this an unparalleled time for climate technology. Climate tailwinds are coming in the form of new government policy and public dollars to support climate solutions are being announced (and now deployed) at unprecedented levels. Also, corporations now see decarbonisation as an imperative and being a leader… Read more »
The battle of the billionaires has become the stuff of headlines. The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has gone head-to-head with Australia’s richest man, billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest. Musk, founding investor in battery-powered car giant Tesla, has famously mocked hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles as “mind-bogglingly stupid”. Forrest has just placed a very large bet on green… Read more »
Xylo Systems, an AI-based data platform to help people manage and preserve threatened species, is one of eight companies backed in the first round of investment by Sydney VC Investible’s early-stage Climate Tech Fund. The total committed by Investible to the climate startups was not revealed, with the fund still raising towards its $100 million… Read more »
A $10 million program to tackle recycling solar panels has been launched in Victoria. Breakthrough Victoria, a company managing a $2 billion fund set up by the Victorian government to make the state a global leader in innovation, has launched the $10 million Solar Waste Challenge, to invest in solar waste reduction solutions. More than… Read more »
Peak retail group, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has formed a partnership with clean-tech startup Greener to help retail and hospitality small businesses move towards net-zero emissions. The deal will see them co-design a new digital solution, Greener Business, to help ARA members understand and prioritise the steps they can take to reduce their carbon… Read more »
Australian environmental startup accelerator and investor Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) is once again running its annual Ocean Impact Pitchfest, to find, support and accelerate startups working on solutions to transform ocean health. Startups have the chance to win a A$50,000 cash prize, with an additional $50,000 up for grabs for startups working on specific ocean challenge… Read more »
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