International energy research institute launched at Curtin

The Honourable Martin Ferguson AM MP, Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, has launched Curtin University’s Fuels and Energy Technology Institute (FETI) at Technology Park, Bentley.

FETI will carry out fundamental research and technology development to provide solutions to the energy and environmental issues facing Australia. The institute will have a network of research collaboration, with researchers from around Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Europe and US.

FETI Director John Curtin Distinguished Professor Chun-Zhu Li said the institute will ensure Western Australia continues to deliver groundbreaking research into the areas of renewable and fossil fuel energies.

“This institute sees government, industry and educational institutions work together to address national needs for fuels and energy to deliver improved energy security and reduced CO₂ emissions,” Professor Li said.

“We believe that FETI will become an international centre of excellence in the field of energy science and engineering.”

The key research areas will include bioenergy science and engineering, fuel cell technology, energy storage, coal science and technology, natural gas conversion engineering, interdisciplinary energy science, and engineering and environmental impacts of energy processes.

The institute’s Biofuel Research and Development Facility has also been launched by the Minister. The facility is a part of a large project led by Professor Li and involves researchers in Curtin, WA Department of Environment and Conservation, CSIRO and the Future Farm Industries CRC.

The project has been jointly funded by the Federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Western Australian state government, Curtin University and project participants.