Comment by Andrew Pease, Senior Advisor at Energy Systems Catapult. 

Australia and the United Kingdom share a lot of similarities when it comes to the energy sector, offering fertile ground for collaboration and cross-country innovation. At the Catapult, we’re renowned for our whole systems approach and pioneering initiatives such as the Living Lab, making us an ideal international innovation partner.

Heading down under

Australia boasts the world’s most rooftop solar panels installed per person – reaching 20GW of total capacity across Australia in 2023. This widespread adoption of solar energy is testament to the country’s commitment to renewable energy, but also presents unique challenges to the Australian grid and consumers. With a growing share of energy being generated by intermittent renewable sources, there’s a growing need for flexibility within the grid and consumer adoption of demand-side response (DSR) techniques. These strategies are crucial for maintaining grid stability, managing peak demand, and integrating renewable energy sources efficiently.

During a recent visit to Australia, I had the opportunity to meet with a diverse group of stakeholders, including investors in real estate projects exploring Net Zero building opportunities, government officials keen on enhancing innovation and supporting energy plans, representatives from the national government focused on ensuring a just transition, and incubators working directly with innovators. This breadth of engagement highlighted the dynamic and complex nature of Australia’s energy sector, as well as the shared challenges and opportunities with the UK.

A whole systems approach

We’ve been working with CSIRO, Australia’s national research centre, to develop a comprehensive proposition based on our whole systems approach. A key element of this collaboration is the exploration of establishing a Living Lab in Australia, similar to the successful model pioneered by the Catapult here in the UK. A Living Lab provides a real-world testing environment for new technologies and approaches, enabling innovators to test and refine their solutions in a controlled, real-world setting.

An Australian Living Lab would provide a soft landing for UK-based SMEs looking to expand into the Australian market. By offering a familiar and supportive environment, these companies can navigate the complexities of a new market more effectively, while also contributing to Australia’s energy transition. The Living Lab would serve as a nexus for innovation, bringing together technology developers, policy makers, and end-users to co-create and validate new solutions.

Incubation and innovation

Australia’s energy sector is ripe for innovation, with a growing number of startups and SMEs working on cutting-edge solutions. During my visit, I met with several incubators that are playing a crucial role in nurturing these innovators. These organisations provide essential support in terms of mentoring, funding, and market access, helping startups to scale and succeed.

By collaborating with these incubators, the Catapult can help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. Our expertise in whole system approaches and Living Labs can provide valuable insights into the complexities of energy systems, helping startups to refine their solutions and bring them to market more effectively. The establishment of a Living Lab in Australia could serve as a focal point for this collaboration, providing a platform for testing and demonstrating new technologies in a real-world setting.

A shared UK-Australia vision

The partnership between Energy Systems Catapult and CSIRO represents a promising step towards deeper collaboration between the UK and Australia in the energy sector. By leveraging the strengths of both countries, we can address the shared challenges of energy transition and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.

This collaboration has been further solidified by a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CSIRO and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which emphasises joint research projects focusing on renewable energy technologies, energy systems, and sustainability.

Such bilateral cooperation between the UK and Australia offers a unique opportunity for SMEs to expand internationally and for both nations to learn from each other’s experiences.

By working together, we can accelerate Net Zero energy innovation and create a more sustainable future.