News — Bringing new energy to Australia

The Net Zero Economy Authority is working with regional communities to help them harness the opportunities presented by net zero, ensuring we all share the benefits of the economic transformation.

Renewable energy projects are underway across the country to support Australia’s transition to a net zero emissions economy.

Last month, the Australian Government launched a campaign to help regional communities understand what the transition means and how it will impact their region.

The campaign showcases the people and clean energy projects that are leading the transformation in the Hunter and Central Queensland regions.

These projects are two among many, bringing new energy to Australia.

Gladstone Green Energy Manufacturing (GEM) Centre – Fortescue

The GEM centre is home to the Gladstone Electrolyser Facility (GEF) - Australia’s largest hydrogen electrolyser manufacturer, and the Proton Exchange Membrane 50-megawatt (PEM50) project, a commercial scale green hydrogen facility, which is currently under construction. Electrolysers divide water into their component parts to produce green energy without using fossil fuels.

These projects represent Queensland’s ambition to be at the forefront of Australia’s successful transition to renewable energy.

Concentrated solar thermal project – CSIRO

The CSIRO Concentrated solar thermal facility, located at the Newcastle Energy Centre is helping to explore new ways of capturing thermal energy from sunlight.

The centre contains the only high-temperature solar thermal research facility of its kind in Australia, and is home to the largest high-concentration solar test facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Concentrated solar thermal technology focuses sunlight onto a target capturing solar energy at very high temperatures. This heat can be used in industrial processes or to generate electricity by heating water for steam to turn a turbine.

Exhibition celebrates the people and places of Australia’s energy transformation

A new photography exhibition, ‘The people and places powering Australia’s future’, has opened at Gladstone City Library and the University of Newcastle.

On display until Friday, November 29, it features images of the people and organisations across Central Queensland and the Hunter that are leading the energy transformation, as well as the landscapes it is taking place on.

The NZEA partnered with photographer, Katherine Griffiths, who captured photos of local individuals, businesses and academics driving innovation and progress.

Dr Simin Moradmand and photographer Katherine Griffiths.Photo by EMG Photography.

One of the participants, Dr Simin Moradmand (pictured with photographer Katherine Griffiths) is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Newcastle. Dr Simin Moradmand works at the intersection of industry and research to find solutions for real-world challenges in green energy production and sustainable manufacturing.

“I believe an economy built on transformation is a bold new way of thinking about progress, but growing our economy hand in hand with protecting our environment. It means moving industries away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. It means creating new jobs and encouraging greener ways of doing business. In my work on BHP funded iron electrolysis project, we use renewable energy to produce iron and cut emission.”

To learn more about how people across Australia are working together to reach net zero emissions by 2050, visit The people and places powering Australia’s future | Prime Minister and Cabinet.