$5.5 million Renewable Energy Centre established in Perth

Renewable energy has received a significant boost with the award of a $5.5 million Federal Government grant through the Australian Greenhouse Office to assist in the establishment of a new renewable energy centre in Western Australia. The Research Institute for Sustainable Energy, RISE, will be located at Murdoch University in Perth.

The Hon Dr David Kemp, Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the Hon Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry, Tourism & Resources made the announcement of the funding in April 2003. The funding is part of the industry support activities of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP), which demonstrates the Commonwealth Government’s continued commitment to developing a strong renewable energy industry in Australia.

Operations began in earnest at the beginning of this year when Dr David Harries was appointed as Director of RISE. The new centre, which was launched on 17 March, is a joint venture between Murdoch & Curtin Universities and a number of industry partners. Its vision is to be recognised, both nationally and worldwide, as a centre of excellence providing support for the development and growth of Australia’s renewable and sustainable energy industries.

A key element of RISE is ResLab (Renewable Energy Systems Test Centre). ResLab will support the industry through the development of standards, equipment testing & monitoring, professional training, demonstration and resource assessment.

David Harries is optimistic about RISE’s future. “There are huge opportunities for the supply of renewable energy systems, both here and overseas, and our objective is to help our industries realise their full potential in this growing and important market. RISE is a demonstration of how universities, governments, industry and others can work together co-operatively in the best overall interests of the renewable and sustainable energy industries”