South Australia could soon have more battery storage, hydrogen electricity and thermal power as the state continues its move towards renewables.
Four companies will receive grants ranging from $1 million to $3.6 million as part of the state government's $150 million renewable energy fund, with over 80 proposals being submitted, SA Premier Jay Weatherill says.
"This is an incredible response and a diverse range of technology just shows how much potential this industry has," Mr Weatherill said.
A portion of the fund has already been allocated to the 100-megawatt lithium-ion battery, which is in the final testing stage, after being built by Tesla billionaire Elon Musk in SA's mid-north.
Adelaide-based battery firm 1414 Degrees has won $1.6 million for a proposal to store energy produced from sewage waste.
"We have developed groundbreaking technology that integrates energy generation from waste with storage and will develop a pilot installation at the SA Water's Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant," the company's executive chairman, Kevin Moriarty, said.
The University of South Australia will receive $3.6 million towards hydrogen fuel cell research which aims to cut emissions at their Mawson Lakes campus by 35 per cent.
SA Energy Minister Tom Konstantinos said this kind of tech-savvy problem-solving would reduce reliance on the grid and bring down energy prices.
"This funding leverages significant investment in four cutting-edge projects that will showcase new technologies, create jobs and reduce demand on the grid," he said.
