Media Release: $6 MILLION FOR SEARCH FOR CHEAPER SOLAR CELLS

FROM THE MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND RESOURCES

DATE: Wednesday, March 28, 2007

$6 MILLION FOR SEARCH FOR CHEAPER SOLAR CELLS

Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources Peter Batchelor today announced more than $8 million for four major research and development projects in sustainable energy.

Two of the projects led by the University of Melbourne could see the eventual replacement of costly silicon-based cells (such as those that generate solar energy on houses), and the development of efficient hydrogen fuelled car engines.

Mr Batchelor said the Sustainable Energy Research and Development grants program highlighted the Bracks Government’s commitment to thriving, next generation businesses and industries.

“This research highlights the creative and cutting edge work that will be required to tackle the challenges of climate change and a carbon-constrained future,” Mr Batchelor said.

Mr Batchelor said the organic solar cells research was on top of other investments in solar energy projects such as the $420 million Solar System’s 154MW photovoltaic power station in Northern Victoria.

He said the Bracks Government will provide $6 million to the Organic Solar Consortium to research the next generation of large, non-silicon, flexible and cheap organic solar cells.

“One of the potential large-scale offshoots of the research could see organic solar cells being embedded into manufactured roofing panels for houses and buildings. This would not only protect the buildings from the elements, but also generate electricity,” Mr Batchelor said.

Mr Batchelor said the allocation of grants under SERD will also boost Victorian researchers’ capacity to compete internationally.

Mr Batchelor announced details of the grants at the CEDA National Forum on

Renewable Energy, Renewable Development: a mechanism for economic growth.

The successful projects announced today are:

$6 million grant for a $12 million project headed by the University of Melbourne to develop and increase the efficiency of organic solar cells as an alternative to silicon based cells in the generation of solar power. The project could lead to the establishment of a centre of excellence in Victoria in research in this area with world class participants. The grant partners include: Monash University, CSIRO, Securency (including Innovia Films), BP Solar, Merck, Bluescope Steel and NonoVic;

$1.2 million grant for a $2.92 million project led by the University of Melbourne to look at the development of a more efficient hydrogen-fuelled car engine and also the storage of hydrogen. The project team includes Ford Motor Company of Australia, Haskel Australia Pty Ltd, and the Universities of North Florida, California (Berkley) and Delaware;

$650,000 grant for a $1.3 million project led by Monash University to research the recycling of waste plastics for the production of diesel fuel. Monash University will team with Ozmotech Pty to investigate the formation of aromatic compounds in the production of diesel and the stringent standards around their use in the fuel;

$250,000 grant for a $500,000 project led by Australian Sustainable Industry Research Centre Ltd (ASIRC), based in the Latrobe Valley, to investigate the energy efficiency of solvent based fuel derived from recycling industrial liquid wastes. This research by ASIRC and Geocycle Pty Ltd will seek to reduce the amount of industrial liquid wastes going to landfill and also partially substitute the fossil fuel requirements of the cement and other energy intensive industries.

The projects are due to be completed by July 2010.

For more details on Sustainable Energy Research and Development grants go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au