Issue 274 – Clean energy futures

Australia has been described as a powerhouse of cheap renewable energy. At CSIRO, we’re researching ways to cut power costs, create jobs, and reduce the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions – enabling Australia’s transition to a clean energy future. In this edition, we explore some of the cutting-edge technologies behind this transition.

Large solar array

As large-scale solar farms continue to expand across regional Australia, CSIRO begins a unique study on public acceptance and its impacts on the industry's social licence.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has the potential to help reduce emissions. It’s a technology that’s tested, available, heavily regulated and it works at scale - but it’s not yet readily adopted.

equipment for hydrogen membrane research

Hydrogen offers a low-emissions pathway with broad potential to help decarbonise the energy, transport and industrial sectors.

Plants with large amounts of oil in their leaves and stems are paving the way for new feedstocks to produce renewable transport fuels.

Dry slag granulation technology will result in a cleaner, greener and more productive steel industry.

We are supporting the Australian Government’s Low Emissions Technology Statement to identify cleaner ways to manufacture steel and aluminium.

Australia has been described as a powerhouse of cheap renewable energy. However, when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind calms, the power-switch flicks off – a problem referred to as intermittency.