The Renewables in Agriculture Centre of Excellence aims to unlock the potential of renewables in agricultural value chains to power farms and regional economies, and support a sustainable, resilient and circular food system.
It's establishing a portfolio of collaborative research projects at Charles Sturt University's AgriPark and Global Digital Farm that pilot, demonstrate, innovate, test and scale renewable energy technologies, services and practices.
The Centre brings together researchers, industry, policy makers and the community in a living lab for innovation combined with skills development, outreach and extension to drive and accelerate positive change.
HOW WE WORK
- We're a dynamic innovation system that matches new and emerging research to real-world scenarios.
- Researching and developing innovation in agri-renewables including designing novel technologies and services, building prototypes, road testing and demonstrating new ideas.
- Demonstrating innovation and research findings to broader audiences, and creating pathways to commercialisation, scale, adoption and impact.
- Robust scientific research is led by Charles Sturt University.
- Promoting sustainability through the circular economy drawing on collective capital and capabilities to drive adoption of sustainable practices that also unlock new revenue streams and business value.
- Undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational outreach and extension activities will become the catalyst for change .
BE PART OF THE JOURNEY
The Global Digital Farm and Food Agility welcome participation from stakeholders in government, industry and academia seeking to bring ag tech research and innovation ideas to life.
Food Agility, Charles Sturt University and RACE for 2030 CRC partnered to organise the Australian Agri-Renewables Innovation Challenge to showcase new technologies and services in in areas of: energy, fertilisers and chemicals and ag waste and residues.
CHALLENGERS ANNOUNCED
We’ve identified six "Challengers" to work with to develop their proposals for the next stage of the initiative.
- Impacts Renewable Energy Pty Ltd-Solar thermal renewable industrial heat production to 450°C
- CLEAN Bioenergy Pty Ltd - Renewable gas and fertiliser production from wet and dry ag residues
- Alt-Tech - Renewable solar energy production and battery storage for emissions free water pumping
- Seed to Diesel Pty Ltd - Seeds to biodiesel
- H2 Core Systems -Modular, transportable hydrogen powered decentralised energy generation system
- University of Sydney -Accurate, compact and low-cost optical fibre methane sensor
Read more about the Challenge below.
THE CHALLENGE THEMES
‘Challengers’ were required to pitch their product and innovation to the following challenge themes:
- How might farmers adopt renewable energy (to reduce costs and emissions while increasing sustainability, energy security and reliability)?
- How might farmers adopt renewable chemicals and fertilisers (to reduce costs and emissions while enhancing sustainability, security, and reliability?)
- How might farmers create value from organic wastes, byproducts, and residues (to reduce costs and emissions while improving sustainability and resource recovery)?
Successful applicants can access:
- One third co-investment from a $2,000,000 pool
- The opportunity to demonstrate and fine tune your innovation and business model in a collaborative and integrated commercial farm setting
- Tap into engaged producers, funders, researchers
- Share costs and risks of technology development
- Access feedstock, subject matter experts, lab facilities and other resources
- Amplify market exposure
THE JUDGES
- Brett Fifield, Hort Innovation CEO, brings agricultural leadership and policy experience in delivering real impact across the horticulture supply chain.
- Will Schmitt, Investment NSW Director, Programs, Partnerships & Precincts, is a global innovation expert specialising in entrepreneurial ecosystems.
- Danielle Statham, Good Earth Cotton Co-Founder, is an early adopter of renewable energy and has an on-farm hydrogen hub.
- Nicole Griffin, SunRice, Head of Agribusiness – agricultural sustainability, knows a thing or two about innovation and R&D.
- Jesse Scott, Grain Corp Chief Innovation and Growth Officer, has expertise is in primary industry strategy and transformation.
- John Said, Fresh Select CEO, is experienced in strategy and business management and is driven to convert food waste into value.
WHY THIS CHALLENGE EXISTS
Like you, we aim to create a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for Australia.
The cost of traditional energy sources and fertilisers is rising, impacting farm profits. Climate change, extreme weather events and water scarcity are also taking a toll on crops and livestock. Add to that the missed opportunities to create a valuable product out of organic waste and residues, and you can easily feel downbeat.
But there is hope!
Renewable energy technologies offer an exciting, sustainable and cost-effective solution.
By harnessing the power of the sun, wind and organics, farmers can reduce fossil fuels, waste and costs, generate new income and become more self-sufficient and resilient.
Let’s work together.
By bringing technology to farmers and farmers to technology providers we can unlock the potential of renewables in agriculture to power regional economies and support food security, productivity, resilience and sustainability.
Get Involved
Policy makers, government bodies, investors, representative bodies and other stakeholders – we want you too!
If you’re keen to partner, champion a challenge, collaborate on a challenge project, champion the cause or get involved in other ways, please contact RenCoE director, Stephen Summerhayes.
Check out the Challenge terms and conditions.
