March 23, 2023

Illawarra’s place in the clean energy transformation cemented at Canberra Expo

Ilawarra Clean Energy Expo showcased the region's innovation and renewables credentials

Clean and renewable energy research and innovation was on display at the first Illawarra Clean Energy Expo, hosted by the University of Wollongong in partnership with Alison Byrnes MP, Member for Cunningham and held at Parliament House Canberra on Monday 20 March 2023.

The Illawarra Clean Energy Expo, which was attended by more than 300 people, showcased the capabilities of organisations active in the Illawarra region that are leading the way towards clean energy transformation. The expo featured exhibits and demonstrations from companies and organizations involved in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable technologies.

The event was designed to raise awareness of the incredible breadth and depth of expertise, talent, and innovation and that the Illawarra has to offer in clean energy among state, federal and international representatives, as well as provide a networking opportunity for leaders in the field.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Chris Bowen MP said, “The Illawarra is right up there at the cutting edge of these innovations. This will be an important part of Australia's comparative advantage in this massive transformation, the biggest economic change we have experienced since the industrial revolution.”

Ty Christopher Director of UOW’s Energy Futures Network said that the Expo was a huge success.

“Feedback at the event and afterwards was overwhelmingly positive. The Expo put the Illawarra on the map and placed us front of mind with the decision makers of our nation, highlighting the innovation and training in clean energy happening now at UOW.

“Many of these business in partnership with UOW are providing high-calibre, sustainable employment and training for the clean energy revolution. Seeing our UOW colleagues and local industry operating as a cohesive team was hugely inspiring!

“We are now all looking forward to working together to make the Illawarra a clean energy powerhouse for the country,” Mr Christopher said.

UOW exhibitors at the Expo included:

• Australian Research Council Future Energies Hub
• Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS)
• Australian Centre for Culture, Environment, Society and Space (ACCESS)
• Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC)
• Australian Power Quality Research Centre (APQRC)
• iAccelerate
• Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM)

Industry exhibitors fom the region included BlueScope Steel, Squadron Energy, Hysata, Green Gravity, Oceanex, BOC Gases, Sicona Battery Technologies, Gridsight AI, NSW Ports, i3Net, Business Illawarra, Recharge Illawarra, Rewiring Australia, Ecojoule Energy, Wise Energy and Invest Wollongong.