The Clean Energy Program is still in draft mode and should be finalised by late 2009. An indiciation of what will be included in the grant is discussed below.

The Clean Energy Program is provided through the Energy Innovation Fund, which supports research and development in clean energy technologies. The $50 million Clean Energy Program is managed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and provides competitive grants for clean energy research and development projects in Australia.

The term ‘clean energy’ covers a broad range of technologies and those eligible for support from this Program will include renewable energy and enabling technologies.

The objectives of the Clean Energy Program are to:

• develop and advance Australia’s research and development capabilities and intellectual property in clean energy technologies
• retain local, and attract international expertise to Australia, while training and educating the next generation of Australian energy researchers and developing international linkages
• assist in achieving Australia’s 20% renewable energy target by 2020, by accelerating electricity production from renewable energy sources
• assist in developing Australia’s clean energy industry and export opportunities.

The Clean Energy Program  will support large-scale research and development projects in clean energy technologies, with grants starting at $3 million. Clean Energy Program Grants are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis and will fund up to 50% of the cost of eligible project inputs, including up to 50% of the cost of capital items.

Eligible Clean Energy Program Technologies
Clean energy is defined as energy harvested from and/or generated by mechanisms that are environmentally sustainable and have a low carbon emission signature. It is required that any such mechanisms are energy efficient and renewable.
Eligible technologies include energy efficiency and direct or enabling technologies developed for the purpose of deriving energy sustainably from:

• Hydrogen
• Geothermal energy
• Bioenergy
• Wind energy
• Fuel cells
• Ocean and tidal energy
• Other renewable energy technologies
• Solar technologies not eligible to apply for funding through the Australian Solar Institute

Enabling technologies are those that:

• enable other clean energy technologies to work (eg. Energy storage, transformation, integration or control technologies that are used in conjunction with energy generation or collection technologies);
• access other clean energy technologies; or
• are otherwise associated with, or used in conjunction with, other clean energy technologies.

Funding for R&D into low emissions coal and carbon sequestration is available under other Australian Government programs listed in Section 3.6. The CEP does not support R&D for these technologies.

Eligible Projects
The Clean Energy Program  supports clean energy research and development (R&D) projects. CEP R&D is defined as systematic investigation or experimentation activities in clean energy technologies. The object of the R&D must be to derive new knowledge, or new or improved materials, products, devices, processes or services. This R&D is expected to involve innovation and a degree of technical risk.
Proof-of-concept elements of R&D projects may also be eligible for CEP funds.
To be eligible for Clean Energy Program  funding, projects must be located in Australia and must meet the CEP program objectives, as outlined above. Applicants must demonstrate that the project would not be undertaken without the funding that is being sought.

Clean Energy Program Assessment Criteria

• Contribution to Australia’s Clean Energy Industry – The degree to which the project described in the Application has reasonable potential to the wider development and diversification of Australia’s clean energy industry, particularly the application of Australian technology domestically and/or internationally.
• Environmental and Social Benefits -The degree to which the project described in the Final Application can be implemented and replicated sustainably, including the demonstration of wider environmental or social benefits such as reducing air, ground or water pollution, increasing energy security or enhancing regional development.
• Technical Feasibility -The technical strength of the project, including degree of innovation, application of sound scientific fundamentals and level of technical risk.
• Management Capability -The degree to which the Application demonstrates the applicant’s ability to fully implement the project, including their experience and reputation for professionally achieving business and/or engineering and/or research outcomes as applicable.
• Value For Money -The degree to which the Final Application describes a business case that provides value for the Commonwealth’s financial support.
• Commercialisation -The degree to which the Final Application demonstrates technical, commercial and manufacturing pathways to the commercial application of clean energy generation technologies that will achieve the program’s objectives.

Please contact Treadstone to be kept up to date regarding this program