WA GreenTech Hub now “open for business” with new Innovation Challenge

Curtin University is helping Western Australia take giant strides towards a net zero future, announcing the first Innovation Challenge as part of the State Government’s GreenTech Hub initiative.

A multimillion-dollar collaborative project, the GreenTech Hub aims to accelerate green technologies and services across WA to lower carbon emissions.

As the GreenTech Hub’s operator, Curtin will oversee collaboration between sustainability experts by hosting Innovation Challenges and Accelerator Programs — the first of which will aim to identify and scale long duration energy storage solutions.

Curtin Institute for Energy Transition Director, Professor Peta Ashworth, said WA’s position as an energy superpower makes it uniquely positioned to be a world leader in developing sustainable solutions.

Professor Ashworth said the first Innovation Challenge marked the GreenTech Hub as “open for business”, and energy storage is an important starting point.

“Energy storage plays a vital role in the transition to a sustainable energy future, enabling us to maximise the use of renewable resources,” Professor Ashworth said.

“Our resource sector operates some of the world’s largest and most remote sites, which will need reliable and efficient energy solutions to remain competitive.

“By integrating advanced energy storage systems, we can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower operational costs and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.”

Professor Ashworth said the benefits from advancements in this field would extend beyond industry.

“Many of our remote and Indigenous communities face challenges with access to consistent and affordable energy,” Professor Ashworth said.

“Energy storage technologies can provide these communities with stable, clean energy solutions which can improve living standards and foster economic development.”

Innovation and the Digital Economy and Science Minister, the Honourable Stephen Dawson, said the launch of the first Innovation Challenge was a key milestone.

“The Cook Government continues to pursue our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the GreenTech Hub is a fantastic way to foster collaboration in the state,” Mr Dawson said.

“The GreenTech Hub will be a catalyst to inspire, mobilise and connect green entrepreneurship and commercialisation across WA.

“The Hub has now set its first challenge with energy storage and will work alongside industry, government, academics and others on how WA can lead the charge into the future.”