The energy sector in Australia is undergoing a major transition, with electricity generation, industry, transport and exports evolving to enable Australia's transition to a net zero emissions energy future.
Disruption across the sector is demanding new energy science and digital technologies, with profound impacts across the economy. CSIRO is playing an important role in the energy transition by providing advanced energy research and development to assist governments, industry and the community.
Find out more about CSIRO's climate-ready science and energy solutions for a resilient Australia PDF (7 MB).
Renewable and low-emissions technologies
The rapid increases in renewable and low-emission energy generation needed in Australia presents challenges and opportunities. New technologies that facilitate the development of low-emission energy sources and reduce emissions from existing sources are the focus of our energy research.
Our research covers:
- next-generation solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar thermal technologies
- hydrogen technologies for storing and transporting energy
- carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) to reduce emissions
- technologies to create value from carbon waste streams through the synthesis of materials into new chemicals, fuels and materials.
Electricity grid and energy storage
Australia's electricity system supports our economy and lifestyle, but it is changing at an unprecedented rate and scale. The transformation is driven by customers as they embrace new technologies, take control of their energy use and support action on climate change. Support for an evolving electricity grid and new energy storage solutions must also increase rapidly.
We are developing next-generation energy storage and grid technologies, and solutions for improved energy efficiency, all to change the way we use energy in our homes, buildings and in industry. CSIRO's focus is on systems to manage the way energy is used, transmitted and generated in order to reduce emissions, and ensure supply is reliable and affordable.
Natural gas
Gas provides the flexibility the electricity market and industrial sectors need for supply security during the energy transition. As coal-fired generation is reduced, gas will ensure dispatchable electricity generation for system strength, frequency stabilisation and emissions reduction. CSIRO's work is helping to better understand the opportunities and risks of onshore gas as a new energy source.
Energy modelling and forecasting
Our world-leading economic models provide valuable information to industry and governments about Australia's future energy mix. We create and assess scenarios that highlight impacts on society, the environment and the economy. CSIRO's models, tools, applications and roadmaps together provide an assessment of long-term trends, and future challenges and opportunities for decision makers in government and across the energy sector.
Energy efficiency and productivity
We are developing intelligent models, systems and management tools to improve energy efficiency and change the ways energy is used and transmitted in homes, buildings and industry. CSIRO's research in energy efficiency can inform your appliance choices, and change the way you light, heat and cool your home. The CSIRO Energise app collects household data on real-time energy use to support this research.
Our energy research is also used to inform policy, develop new industries and transform existing sectors, for future success. Organisations, large and small, are using CSIRO's energy science and technology solutions to navigate this transition and as catalysts for growth.