$30m for Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources

The Hunter will continue to be at the forefront of sustainable energy research and development with the establishment of the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources.

The Australian government will contribute $30 million to develop the institute at the University of Newcastle through the Sustainability Round of the Education Investment Fund.

“Working in national and international collaborations, researchers at this world-class facility will conduct innovative research in next-generation energy production,” said Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr.

“Minimising energy usage in the resources sector will be at the heart of the institute’s work, supporting our resources industry to become cleaner and greener.”

The institute will help transform Australian industries by researching:

• the reduction of energy (and water) consumption in coal and minerals processing and transport;
• the reduction of carbon emissions through next-generation carbon capture and storage technologies;
• alternative energy sources, including geothermal and polymer solar cells;
• improved efficiency in power generation; and
• smarter, more efficient grids for distributed electricity generation.

The university will develop the institute by purchasing and extending the former BHP Billiton Newcastle Technology Centre.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Grierson MP said that the university is the perfect location for this type of cutting-edge research infrastructure.

“Competition for funding under this program was intense. The University of Newcastle’s achievement shows that it continues to stand at the forefront of Australian research and innovation,” Grierson said.

“Newcastle now hosts two major centres - the Hunter Medical Research and this new institute - which will produce research that is incredibly important to the people of the Hunter region.

“Over 260 jobs will be created during the refurbishment of the existing centre and the construction of a new specialist facility. Altogether, the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources will operate over 15,000 m² of space - an area greater than two football fields.

“Once completed, the institute will support up to 300 researchers. It will help create lasting economic benefits both for Newcastle and for Australia by commercialising its research.”

To learn more about the Australian government’s Education Investment Fund, go to www.deewr.gov.au/eif.