The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has invested $1 billion into more than 230 projects, fellowships, and scholarships throughout the country “that are paving the way for a more diverse energy future for Australia.”
In a press release on its website, the government agency publicized their efforts, despite the obvious roadblocks currently in place in Australian energy politics.
The news comes only a few days after the country’s Bureau of Meteorology and science agency, CSIRO, released a report which claimed Australia will be subject to massive current and future climate impacts.
According to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), it has invested $1 billion in a number of projects, of which 31 are already complete, and “with many more scheduled to reach key milestones and/or completion in 2015.”
“Each of these projects is producing valuable knowledge and outcomes that are being shared with the energy industry to help overcome challenges and advance renewable energy in Australia,” according to its site.
ARENA makes mention of several such projects it is involved with, including the South Australian Centre for Geothermal Energy Research’s project which has produced a reliable tool for accurate, pre-drilling predictions of geothermal energy reservoir characteristics. More projects ARENA is involved with include a University of Newcastle project creating a working prototype of a thermionic energy converter, and a project delivered by CSIRO in partnership with Abengoa, which is exploring cost-effective ways to collect and store thermal energy.
However, there are other projects which we have covered here at CleanTechnica as well.
Reposit Power is planning to install battery storage in six homes in and around Canberra, the country’s capital, to run a six-month pilot project of its technology, known as GridCredits — to which ARENA is contributing $445,000 to the $900,000 project.
The country’s largest solar power project is receiving ARENA support, as is the first solar PV power project with single-axis tracking features.
Despite continual funding cutbacks, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency is pushing ahead, and investing in projects which will change the face of Australia’s energy market — if the government allows it for any longer.
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