Published Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
State Funding for Energy and Water Innovation
Funding totalling $675,000 for energy and water efficient business technology has been approved under the latest round of the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara said the Fund provides financial support to offset the technical risks associated with developing and proving new technologies and processes.
Successful applicants in the latest round are:
• Tidal desalination for remote communities to be undertaken by HydroGen Power Industries Pty Ltd (University of Queensland, St Lucia) - $200,000
• Electric vehicle conversion package by Deep Green Research (Virginia) - $135,000
• Forward osmosis system for water desalination by Aquatec Maxcon (Ipswich) - $180,000
• Compact fluorescent emergency lighting system by Spire Lighting (Eight Mile Plains) - $160,000
Mr McNamara said the economic and social future of Queensland depends heavily on planning to make the most of resources and minimise waste.
“More sustainable energy and water use is now a crucial issue in coping with the pressures of population increase and economic development,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund assists innovative Queensland businesses to help develop projects that reduce the use of fossil fuels or water, lead to more efficient energy use or enhance the use of renewable energy.
“Individual funding of up to $200,000 is available for Queensland businesses to develop innovative technologies that save energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“The partnerships forged between government, innovators and industry highlight the positive and supportive role the Queensland Government is playing in nurturing future industries by encouraging the development of innovation.”
Tidal desalination for remote communities project:
Will use renewable energy from tidal turbines to power reverse osmosis desalination. Tidal turbines have the potential to directly operate reverse osmosis plants to produce fresh water for remote communities when settlements are located next to strong tidal currents.
Electric vehicle conversion package:
Will research the conversion of conventionally powered vehicles to full electric operation; a technical challenge that once overcome will lead to many practical applications where a reduction in fossil fuel use can be realised.
Forward osmosis system for water desalination project:
Addresses the challenge of treating poor quality water so that it can be utilised in the most productive way, which is a challenge in many areas of Queensland where water quality is an issue. This project will realise an affordable way to achieve high quality water in a process that does not rely on high pressures as required in the standard reverse osmosis systems.
Compact fluorescent emergency lighting system:
An energy management system to save energy in emergency lighting devices. Enabling small energy savings per emergency sign has the potential to make quite significant savings when the process is applied to the huge number of units that make up emergency lighting systems installed in major infrastructure.
Mr McNamara said that since 1999, QSEIF has committed more than $7 million in funding to support industry development of technology to better utilise resources, which are critical when adapting to climate change.
“This support has been a catalyst in encouraging a further $12.9 million in private investment funding to further develop these technologies,” Mr McNamara said.
“Previous QSEIF funding has helped develop a range of sustainable technologies including bio-fuels, energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration, solar and wave power, remote area power supply, water heating and road transport.
“Businesses have come up with some great ideas that are helping to address the major challenge of climate change, and are placing Queensland at the forefront of sustainable energy and water innovation.
“It has never been more important to support organisations in bringing new ideas, processes and products to market to reduce energy and water usage, which can often reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Applications are currently open for the 13th round of QSEIF funding. Draft submissions are due to the Environmental Protection Agency by 4 July.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara said the Fund provides financial support to offset the technical risks associated with developing and proving new technologies and processes.
Successful applicants in the latest round are:
• Tidal desalination for remote communities to be undertaken by HydroGen Power Industries Pty Ltd (University of Queensland, St Lucia) - $200,000
• Electric vehicle conversion package by Deep Green Research (Virginia) - $135,000
• Forward osmosis system for water desalination by Aquatec Maxcon (Ipswich) - $180,000
• Compact fluorescent emergency lighting system by Spire Lighting (Eight Mile Plains) - $160,000
Mr McNamara said the economic and social future of Queensland depends heavily on planning to make the most of resources and minimise waste.
“More sustainable energy and water use is now a crucial issue in coping with the pressures of population increase and economic development,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund assists innovative Queensland businesses to help develop projects that reduce the use of fossil fuels or water, lead to more efficient energy use or enhance the use of renewable energy.
“Individual funding of up to $200,000 is available for Queensland businesses to develop innovative technologies that save energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“The partnerships forged between government, innovators and industry highlight the positive and supportive role the Queensland Government is playing in nurturing future industries by encouraging the development of innovation.”
Tidal desalination for remote communities project:
Will use renewable energy from tidal turbines to power reverse osmosis desalination. Tidal turbines have the potential to directly operate reverse osmosis plants to produce fresh water for remote communities when settlements are located next to strong tidal currents.
Electric vehicle conversion package:
Will research the conversion of conventionally powered vehicles to full electric operation; a technical challenge that once overcome will lead to many practical applications where a reduction in fossil fuel use can be realised.
Forward osmosis system for water desalination project:
Addresses the challenge of treating poor quality water so that it can be utilised in the most productive way, which is a challenge in many areas of Queensland where water quality is an issue. This project will realise an affordable way to achieve high quality water in a process that does not rely on high pressures as required in the standard reverse osmosis systems.
Compact fluorescent emergency lighting system:
An energy management system to save energy in emergency lighting devices. Enabling small energy savings per emergency sign has the potential to make quite significant savings when the process is applied to the huge number of units that make up emergency lighting systems installed in major infrastructure.
Mr McNamara said that since 1999, QSEIF has committed more than $7 million in funding to support industry development of technology to better utilise resources, which are critical when adapting to climate change.
“This support has been a catalyst in encouraging a further $12.9 million in private investment funding to further develop these technologies,” Mr McNamara said.
“Previous QSEIF funding has helped develop a range of sustainable technologies including bio-fuels, energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration, solar and wave power, remote area power supply, water heating and road transport.
“Businesses have come up with some great ideas that are helping to address the major challenge of climate change, and are placing Queensland at the forefront of sustainable energy and water innovation.
“It has never been more important to support organisations in bringing new ideas, processes and products to market to reduce energy and water usage, which can often reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Applications are currently open for the 13th round of QSEIF funding. Draft submissions are due to the Environmental Protection Agency by 4 July.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004