Clean Energy

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Energy affects almost every aspect of human life, from housing to transportation, and healthcare to food production. �ʹڲ�Ʊ’s research is filling crucial knowledge gaps to enable the creation of next-generation materials, technologies and policies that will lead to a clean energy future.

We believe that Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to emerge as global leaders in reshaping our energy system away from fossil fuel resources to clean and renewable resources that are readily available for all. Our research takes a system-wide approach across the energy value chain, with strengths in mining, energy generation and distribution, smart grids, electrification, energy storage, policy, market design, and behavioural change.

As the birthplace of modern photovoltaics, �ʹڲ�Ʊ is an internationally renowned hub for renewable and solar energy. We continue to push the boundaries of PV efficiency and performance, thin-film solar applications, nighttime generation and material lifecycle sustainability. We're particularly interested in how we use renewables to produce green chemicals and fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. These technologies combined will rapidly transform energy intensive industries like steel and cement production, global transportation, and agriculture.

We recognise that technology is only one piece of the energy transition and that policy and governance will ultimately define our legacy. �ʹڲ�Ʊ works closely with commercial partners and policymakers to enable long-term success at every scale, from local markets to major global economic opportunities. This means nurturing the right environments for technology to thrive, and creating policy that achieves positive social and environmental outcomes with consideration for the needs of vulnerable communities.

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Areas of expertise

The below strengths represent a snapshot of our expertise but are by no means an exhaustive list. If you have a specific research area of interest or project that is not represented here, please get in touch so that we can find an expert(s) to best match your needs.

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AI generated image of solar panels and wind turbines against a backdrop of a blue sky and clouds

<p>Renewable and solar energy</p>

We have deep capabilities in photovoltaic technology, hybrid PV/thermal systems and electrocatalysis. We're leaders in PV efficiency and performance research and have developed new materials such as thin film flexible kersite solar cells and low-cost high-efficiency perovskite cells. Other significant areas include night solar generation, end-of-life management, solar to hydrogen, and artificial photosynthesis.

modern electric truck charging at a gas station

Electrification

Electrification of our energy system and economy is a key to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. We have expertise in power electronics from electroceramics, inverters, converters and semiconductors to electric driving systems, wireless power transfer, power systems and grid synchronisation.

Energy storage

Energy storage allows us to balance supply and demand of distributed renewable energy resources. �ʹڲ�Ʊ researchers are developing hybrid storage systems to manage the smart grid, along with the next generation of solid-state battery technologies, non-degrading vanadium redux cells and aqueous Zn-ion, among others.

Green fuels & chemicals

Green fuels and chemicals will revolutionise energy-intensive and polluting industries like resource extraction, transportation, and food production. Our researchers are advancing carbon-neutral fuel combustion, hydrogen production and storage, nuclear and material science. We have extensive research in Power-to-X products like green ammonia and synthetic methane, methanol and aviation fuels.

Power transmission tower and its power cables installed over a hill in a village near Panvel, Navi Mumbai.

Energy transition & decarbonisation

We have expertise in the entire energy value chain from generation to multi-level power electronic converters and land use practices. Our capabilities cover technological development and deployment, renewable integration and distribution, end use, policy design, energy markets, economics and ethics.

Critical minerals & mining

What, how, and where we mine resources is critical to our energy future. Our research is making mining more efficient, sustainable and safer with the use of AI, big data analytics, remote sensing and real-time monitoring. We are developing new technologies and automated systems to improve access to extreme environments such as deep underground, underwater and in outer space.

World-record photovoltaic efficiency achieved for kesterite solar cell

�ʹڲ�Ʊ researchers have set a new best mark for a kesterite (CZTS) solar cell which could be a long-term, sustainable and cost-effective add-on or replacement for silicon-based panels.

Latest

Australia needs better ways of storing renewable electricity for later. That’s where ‘flow batteries

Flow batteries can feed energy back to the grid for up to 12 hours – much longer than lithium-ion batteries, which only last four to six hours.

Latest

New ‘artificial leaf’ can create ammonia directly from pure sunlight

Researchers at �ʹڲ�Ʊ Sydney have developed a zero emissions system using a solar panel that turns nitrate wastewater into ammonium nitrate for use in fertilisation.

Latest

Ask an Expert: What is a smart grid and will it make our electricity cheaper?

Imagine if electricity suppliers could know exactly when consumers use high-energy appliances like clothes dryers, eliminating the need for expensive standby power and reducing wasteful operations.

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Our researchers

Discover experts in photovoltaics, green fuels, battery storage and the energy transition

Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering

Martin Green

Scientia Professor

Martin Green is a pioneering photovoltaic researcher and inventor of the PERC solar cell. He continues to push the boundaries of PV energy conversion.

Solar & renewable energy

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Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering

Renate Egan

Professor

Renate Egan is an expert in manufacturing costing, techno-economic analysis, solar cell manufacturing, solar engineering, energy policy, energy market analysis.

Solar & renewable energy

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Chemical Engineering

Maria Skyllas-Kazacos

Professor

Maria Skyllas-Kazacos is an expert in vanadium redox-cell batteries, metal extraction and molten salts, electrode processes and materials.

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Chemical Engineering

Rose Amal

Scientia Professor

Rose Amal is recognised as a pioneer and leading authority in the fields of fine particle technology, photocatalysis and functional nanomaterials.

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Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications

John Fletcher

Professor

John Fletcher is an electrical engineer who specialises in power electronics, electrical machine drives and electric propulsion.

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Mineral & Energy Resources Engineering

Ismet Canbulat

Professor

Ismet Canbulat is transform mining by leveraging AI and big data analytics to enhance extraction efficiency, emergency response, and sustainability.

Artificial intelligence & robotics

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Economics

Jacob Goeree

Professor

Jacob Goeree is an economic experimenter, theorist and market designer. He specialises in energy markets, from spectrum auctions to polution permits.

Climate risk & response

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�ʹڲ�Ʊ Future Clean Energy

In 2024, �ʹڲ�Ʊ hosted the Futures Expo Series to showcase research aligned with the priority areas. The events brought together businesses, investors, and government to explore collaboration opportunities with our leading innovation community.

Missed the series? Don’t worry. You can dive into the insights and opportunities captured in our themed Futures Expo booklets.