The politics of clean energy

Summaries - Australian Financial ReviewI
6 July 2011, Page: 53

Although Australia is respected for its scientific research, the country's ability to successfully commercialise inventions is seen as weak. Solar voltaic technology that was developed at the University of New South Wales has been commercialised three times by BP, CSG Solar and Suntech Power, all overseas. While there are companies such as Silex Systems, which is building a solar power station locally and has developed laser technologies being used overseas in partnership with GE, that have Federal Government support, there is a consensus that Australia's support for commercialisation is poor.

GeoDynamics says the 'massive structural changes' needed for the successful implementation of technologies such as its geothermal power require changed policy frameworks, while the Australian Coal Association's Ralph Hillman says a carbon price will not be sufficient to drive the commercialisation of new technologies. Companies such as the Australian Securities Exchange listed AlgaeTec avoid government assistance due to intrusive bureaucracy, while Canberra's Dyesol has had to go to overseas companies Tata Power Steel and Pilkington Glass to help produce its technologies.

The Government's climate adviser, Ross Garnaut, says Australia's alternative energy R&D and commercialisation policies are poor, with the Australian National Audit Office finding that the 13 low emissions funding schemes often have spent little of their funding. Garnaut has proposed the creation of a Low Emissions Innovation Council to co ordinate efforts. Resource Minister Martin Ferguson, in recent comments to a Committee for the Economic Development of Australia, said the government was supporting renewable energy technologies.

Elsewhere, the CSIRO is spending funds on its 'energy transformed' project that includes building management systems that help to cut power usage, while GE has a partnership with electric vehicle group Better Place, as well as a partnership with EV Engineering that is helping develop an all electric GM GM Holden Commodore, which GE's Custom Fleet business could help.