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About CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.

CSIRO's core areas of impact
Contact Enquiries: Phone - 1300 363 400 | Email - Enquiries@csiro.au | Contact Us

Overview

 
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A CSIRO researcher stands next to a microturbine – a machine in a casing that is roughly the same size as a household refrigerator.
A microturbine gas engine in use.

Energy generation and storage

Researching the sustainability of energy generation, and developing the means to store it efficiently and economically.

CSIRO investigates a broad range of technologies and practices in both traditional and future methods of energy generation and storage.

Energy generation

We assess traditional generation methods, such as energy from fossil fuels, and develop processes and technologies to improve efficiency and minimise environmental impact. Project work in this area includes our extensive coal gasification program.

Through our solar thermal and hydrogen technologies research we also examine renewable technologies as an energy source, both as a stand-alone option and integrated with fossil fuels.

Energy storage

Energy storage is an element that is key to:

We are working to efficiently generate energy, minimise the environmental impact of the process and store it to ensure improved delivery.
  • improved energy delivery
  • increased reliability
  • reduced emissions.

A range of existing and emerging technologies is applicable to:

  • distributed generation systems
  • central power producers
  • remote area power producers
  • road transport industry.

CSIRO’s work in energy storage includes research into:

  • high performance batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • fuel cells.

This work has practical applications for telecommunications, notebook computers, household electronics, remote area supply systems and environmentally friendly transport.

Distributed energy

Distributed energy is a significant research area for CSIRO. The concept of distributed energy involves the local generation of power, heat and cooling using emerging gas technologies and integrating with selected renewables and traditional generation.

We work in collaboration with the Centre for Distributed Energy and Power (CenDEP) and showcase various distributed energy technologies at the CSIRO Energy Centre. For example microturbine gas engines roughly the size of a household refrigerator are being demonstrated at the Centre to examine co-generation. That is, recovering the heat from exhaust gas and using it for heating and cooling applications ranging from hot water to building airconditioning.

Find out more about supercapacitors.

 

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Fast facts

  • CSIRO investigates a broad range of technologies and practices in both traditional and future methods of energy generation and storage
  • CSIRO’s work in energy storage includes high-performance batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells
  • We are working to efficiently generate energy while minimising the environmental impact

Contact Information

CSIRO Enquiries
Phone: 1300 363 400*
Alt Phone: 61 3 9545 2176 
Fax: 61 3 9545 2175 
*local call within Australia

Location

CSIRO Energy Technology - Newcastle
Steel River Estate
10 Murray Dwyer Circuit
Mayfield West NSW 2304
Australia
PO Box 330
Newcastle NSW 2300
Australia