Renewable energy research at ANU receives funding boost

The Australian National University will establish an international research program to improve ways to store renewable energy under a new $8 million partnership with the ACT Government.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt thanked the ACT Government for contributing up to $5 million to support the program, which would help to establish Australian research leadership in the integration of battery material technology with electricity network storage.

"I want to congratulate the ACT Government on its commitment to renewable energy and innovative energy solutions," Professor Schmidt said.

"The funding will enable the ANU Energy Change Institute, which will coordinate the research program, to build a critical mass of research in the area and focus on commercialisation of new technologies."

The ECI comprises more than 200 staff and PhD students and is supported with more than $100 million in infrastructure and facilities.

Professor Schmidt said the university would support the program with $3 million in cash and in-kind contributions, including $2 million for new laboratory infrastructure to support battery storage and integration research.