UNSW to lead decarbonisation hub

The University of New South Wales, Sydney (UNSW) has been chosen as the academic lead — alongside the University of Newcastle — and headquarters for the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub.

The hub is due to serve as an important part of the state’s Net Zero Industry and Innovation Program and will see different groups coming together, including members of government, industry and researchers, to develop technologies that can help to decarbonise the state. The $15 million project is funded with a grant from the NSW Environmental Trust, alongside contributions from industry and university partners.

“UNSW’s selection to lead the new Decarbonisation Innovation Hub in NSW reflects our vision of being a catalyst for an environmentally sustainable future through collaborative research, partnership and innovation,” said UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs.

“The opportunity to slow down the existential threat of climate change is shrinking, and we need to act now. The Hub will enable world-class researchers to work together in tackling these threats, providing concrete solutions and developing technologies that will be used not only in NSW but across the world.”

UNSW will be leading a consortium of partners that includes University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University, University of Technology Sydney, Charles Sturt University, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Climate-KIC.

The hub will be based at UNSW but three networks will operate outside of the location: the Electrification and Energy Systems network will tackle renewable energy and the uptake of electrification; the Land and Primary Industries network will work to develop sustainable primary industry practices; and the Power Fuels including Hydrogen network will grow a sustainable hydrogen industry in NSW and will address decarbonisation opportunities for sectors struggling to reduce emissions.

“The new Hub will showcase UNSW’s world-class capabilities in decarbonisation and serve as a centrepiece for our work in this area,” said UNSW Scientia Professor Deo Prasad, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Hub. “Not only will it meet key metrics in decarbonisation, but there is also enormous potential in the job creation and capacity building we can achieve.”

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer will oversee the hub and its research.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Fabián Montaño