Curtin partners in two national research initiatives awarded $70 million

Curtin University researchers will play significant roles in two major Cooperative Research Centre projects, Future Energy Exports (FEnEx-CRC) and Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC-TiME), today awarded $40 million and $30 million respectively in Federal Government funding.

Announced by the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Hon Karen Andrews MP, the $70 million in grants will drive major benefits to the Australian economy and communities over the next decade.

Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry, said Curtin University is proud to be a part of these important cross-disciplinary research initiatives that have the potential to make a real impact and transform lives.

“The FEnEx-CRC project will play a critical role in driving the world’s energy future, and Curtin researchers will help in its mission to grow a new hydrogen export industry able to meet emerging global demands,” Professor Terry said.

“Curtin researchers in the CRC-TiME are part of a national consortium to support regional Australian communities facing mine closure and help in their successful transition from mining communities to form sustainable development opportunities for the future.

“Both of these long-term projects are extremely worthy and exciting, and Curtin has committed to providing them with additional financial and in-kind support.”

Curtin lead on the FEn-Ex-CRC, Professor Craig Buckley from Curtin’s School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences said Curtin is honoured to be extensively involved through the leadership of Program 1: Efficient LNG Value Chains (led by Professor Vishnu Pareek) and Program 2: Hydrogen Export and Value Chains (led by Professor Buckley).

“The two programs will focus on the future competitiveness of the Australian LNG export industry and the technical challenges critical to the establishment of Australia’s hydrogen export industry. Curtin is also heavily involved in Program 3: Digital Technologies and Interoperability, and Program 4: Market and Sector Development. In all there will be 28 researchers from Curtin University involved in projects across the 4 programs.” Professor Buckley said.

Associate Professor Bryan Maybee from Curtin’s Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering and CRC-TiME’s Lead for Program 2: Risk, Evaluation and Decision Making said the CRC-TiME joint initiative will address issues of importance for the mining sector and associated stakeholders.

Additional local and Traditional Owner economic opportunities in mine closure will be drawn from Curtin’s research excellence in mine rehabilitation and restoration technologies led by Professor Kingsley Dixon from Curtin’s ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration.

“The evaluation techniques used in the mining industry tend to misrepresent the value of initiatives that support the closure of a mining operation and subsequent transition to a post-mining land use. Adapting current, and introducing new methodologies for assessing value that accurately reflects changing risk profiles has the ability to not only add significant long-term value, but also incorporate an entire life-cycle approach into planning and decision-making processes,” Associate Professor Maybee said.

For more information on the FEnEx-CRC including a full list of partners please visit here.

For more information on the CRC-TiME including a full list of partners please visit here.

To view to the media release issued by the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, the Hon Karen Andrews MP please visit here.

To view the media release issued by the Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Mark McGowan MLA, please visit here.