Australian expertise on show at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum

Australia is on show this week, demonstrating its position as a leading source of clean energy expertise, technology and innovation at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF) in Pittsburgh, USA.

More than 20 representatives from across Australia’s government, industry (including industry associations), research and SME communities form the ‘Team Australia’ delegation, which is being led by Chris Bowen, Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Running from 21–23 September, the GCEAF is an international meeting place for representatives from 31 countries to convene on the fast action required to deliver on global climate and clean energy ambition, including more than 100 side events hosted by governments, companies, think tanks and others from around the world.

National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) is part of the Team Australia delegation and is participating in two Australia-focused side events — Powering Australia and How Australia is harnessing technology to enable a net-zero future — that will outline Australia’s decarbonisation commitments and demonstrate the key role Australia and our low emissions energy supply chain can play in reaching global net-zero targets.

Miranda Taylor, NERA CEO, said the Global Clean Energy Action Forum provides a vital platform to facilitate the international collaboration required to accelerate the energy transition.

“Our decarbonisation challenge is not local. International collaboration is key, and we must all work together on a global scale if we are going to decarbonise the planet at the pace required,” she said. “The GCEAF will connect energy leaders from across the world and help to expedite the global collaboration essential to achieving net-zero ambitions.”

Minister Chris Bowen, said: “Australia is in a prime position to seize the world’s climate emergency as a jobs opportunity and to show the world that we can be a key player in supporting the global energy transition.

“With the right ambition, action and cooperation, Australia can seize the once-in-a-generation opportunity ahead of us and thrive in a net zero world. Australia’s delegation to and involvement in the Global Clean Energy Action Forum will help demonstrate this to the world.”

Australia’s leading low emissions technology businesses on show at GCEAF

In the lead-up to the GCEAF, NERA partnered with the Australian Government on LETs Pitch Australia — a supply chain development program designed to help accelerate the growth of Australia’s low emissions technology businesses.

As part of LETs Pitch Australia, four innovative technology businesses — Allegro Energy, Evergen, KC8 Capture Technologies and Rux Energy — were chosen by a panel of industry expert judges to join the Team Australia delegation to Pittsburgh.

The four SMEs will participate in a curated program designed to support their integration into global supply chains and provide opportunities for vital connections for growth, including pitching to a global audience as part of the NERA-led side event, How Australia is harnessing technology to enable a net-zero future.

Taylor said LETs Pitch is about sourcing and supporting the innovative clean energy businesses integral to fast-tracking Australia’s energy transition.

“NERA created the LETs Pitch program to unearth the low-emissions businesses that have the innovative technology to decarbonise our sector, and then support them to translate their offering into a market opportunity both nationally and internationally,” she said.

Dr Jehan Kanga, Founder and CEO of Rux Energy, and LETs Pitch Australia winner, said LETs Pitch provides an opportunity like no other on offer to SMEs in Australia’s energy sector.

“Programs such as LETs Pitch provide deep tech startups like us with crucial growth opportunities and connections that help to scale up and enable rapid access into local and global markets,” he said. “We’re excited to be at this event and develop international partnerships that will help the commercialisation of our technology, accelerating our path to zero carbon.”

David Chuter, Managing Director at Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC), and recent LETs Pitch judge, said the program provides the support needed to lift the capability and capacity of Australia’s future manufacturing industry.

“There is a real and very significant opportunity for Australian manufacturing in new and clean energy solutions, and LETs Pitch is exactly the type of program we need in Australia to accelerate the growth of the SMEs that will play a key role in our manufacturing future,” he said. “We see huge value in LETs Pitch as a unique program that develops communications, pitching and positioning skills at the business owner level to help drive investment and growth. That’s why IMCRC approached NERA to support a fourth LETs Pitch Australia participant to join the delegation to GCEAF.”

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