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Improving energy efficiency

Our research aims to improve Australia's energy efficiency.

• 1 October 2007 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Industry-wide approach
• Everyday efficiency

The term energy efficiency refers to gaining the same, or a higher level of useful output, using less inputs.

Declining supplies of traditional sources of energy, and increasing demand means that we need to make the most of what we have.

CSIRO is tackling the problem from both industry and everyday angles. 

The Energy Transformed Flagship has been established to provide a broad range of scientific resources. 

The Flagship is closely aligned with national energy research priorities.

It aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions and double the efficiency of the nation’s new energy generation, supply and end use.

Current forecasts suggest that an increased uptake of commercial energy efficiency opportunities could improve Australia’s GDP by almost A$1 billion a year.

This uptake could result in a 40 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2010.

Industry-wide approach

CSIRO works closely with the coal, energy, transport and minerals sectors to monitor the impact these industries have on:

• air quality
• water quality and
• human health.

Collecting this information enables us to develop better systems and technologies that not only improve environmental management, but also maintain industrial efficiency.

We are researching ways to improve the efficiency of energy generated from fossil fuels.

We are also investigating a broad range of technologies and practices in both traditional, and future methods of energy generation and storage.

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

Our work in energy storage includes research into high performance batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells.

Everyday efficiency

CSIRO is researching:

• highly efficient electric motors and generators
• related magnetic devices and
• power and control electronics.

This research has led to collaboration on solar and petrol-electric vehicle projects.

Within the built environment, we are researching ways to construct more efficient buildings by reducing the amount of heat entering buildings.

We are also researching how to reduce the amount of energy required to keep buildings clean.

We are exploring the new physics of the nanoscale.

On a structural level, we are developing new materials and devices such as coatings for glass and self-cleaning materials.

Using high end parametric modelling and computer aided design, we are developing highly efficient electric motors.

We are designing and developing highly efficient electrical machines. This includes the development of extremely small units, and motors that run on solar power.

Find out more about our In-wheel motor for sun powered cars (Video).