Affordable and clean energy

Industry partners: Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, Optimal Group Australia, pitt&sherry

Microgrids are conventionally based on AC (alternating current, as opposed to direct current, DC) connections, yet the components of renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaics, wind and wave generators, batteries, electrolysers and fuel cells) are intrinsically or effectively “DC-inside”. This 2020–2024 project, led by Prof Evan Gray, addresses the barriers to setting up pure-DC microgrids through the creation of a pure-DC hydrogen microgrid at 10 kW scale. Sources and loads are emulated by programmable electronics connected to the bus by DC/DC converters. The physical battery is connected by a bidirectional DC/DC converter. Hydrogen storage is simulated in software.

The microgrid is used for experiments aiming to understand and resolve issues including transient response and control of the DC bus voltage in the face of realistic demands for electricity and hydrogen, powered by variable, uncontrolled solar, wind and wave energy, with no grid connection. Reliability and resilience are provided in the short term (hours) by a battery, and in the longer term by generating and storing hydrogen, with a fuel cell for generation of electricity when the battery has reached its designated minimum state of charge.

Find out more from the Blue Economy CRC Find out more from HyResearch

Industry partner: Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre

Gas transmission pipeline operators need to know the safe operating conditions for pipelines carrying hydrogen – in particular, the permissible safe pressure, and tolerable defect sizes. Otherwise unexpected fractures can occur, with significant collateral damage.

This 2020 to 2024 project, with Professor Evans as the Griffith Lead, contributes to the determination of the safe operating limits of gas pipelines, and may allow for a less conservative approach than current standards for operation of hydrogen pressure vessels. It focuses on the predicament that Australia faces, where we have a very extensive natural gas distribution network which will be orphaned when fossil fuels are eliminated from the Australian energy scene - as homes, businesses, and industry switch to electric everything. On the other hand, certain sectors are “hard to abate”, meaning that achieving net-zero carbon-dioxide emissions is not achievable financially, and perhaps technically, using electricity. The need for a carbon-free fuel to generate high-temperature heat will remain.

One approach is to gradually supplant natural gas by mixing increasing proportions of hydrogen into the gas network. The downside is that hydrogen may cause embrittlement (dangerous loss of mechanical strength) in pipeline steels. This project investigates the degree to which residual gases in the gas stream, such as oxygen and carbon-dioxide, protect the pipeline against embrittlement.

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Industry partners: Advance Queensland, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Arizona State University

In a sustainable city, biomass from agriculture, industry and municipality will be converted into a new source of energy – biofuels - and reliance on traditional waste disposal methods such as landfill will be significantly reduced, thus promoting access to clean energy and circular bioeconomy amongst industry.

Griffith University, under the leadership of Professor Prasad Kaparaju, has undertaken two research projects across the Advance Queensland agenda, in order to contribute our knowledge around the production and use of biofuels, which will form part of future renewable energy resources. Conversion into biohydrogen, biomethane, bioethanol, organic biofertilizer, organic acids, composts and clean water, will reduce the reliance on our natural limited resources to meet the needs of our modern economy and society.

The first project is focused on the use of biogas from sugarcane residues in the sugar industry to reduce fossil fuel usage (funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency – $ 2.9 million), and the other research project aims to develop technologies to capture CO₂ directly from the ambient air and to utilise captured CO₂ for chemicals and fuels production, as part of a collaboration with Arizona State University.

Find out more Read this 2024 article on capturing CO₂ from our partner organisation

Industry partner: CSIRO (with funding from Fortescue)

While battery-electric vehicles are highly satisfactory for local traffic, long-haul and heavy-vehicle transport (buses, freight) is more effectively served by vehicles powered by hydrogen. Such vehicles have very long range and can be refuelled in minutes, just like conventional vehicles. Hydrogen is stored on-board as compressed gas. The compressor required in the filling station is complex, expensive, power-hungry, noisy and maintenance-intensive. This 2021 to 2024 project, led by Professor Evan Gray, develops a prototype Australian compressor for industry based on metal hydrides, powered by solar or waste heat instead of electricity, with no moving parts. Such compressors are suitable to be deployed in remote areas where technical services are not available and where there is no robust electricity grid, thus improving energy efficiency and clean energy with access to renewable energy sources.

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The purpose of the project, led by Associate Professor Yulin Zhong, was to develop an environmentally friendly method to produce thin-layered 2D nanomaterials used in everything from sensors to energy storage devices thus providing energy efficiency services for industry.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial refers to ultra-thin sheets of a material such as graphite or titanium carbide that are as little as one atom thick (~ one nanometre or one millionth of a millimetre).

This project addressed the globally critical issue of energy storage and conversion by developing new, diverse energy sources and solutions to reduce the environmental impact of energy supply and help address climate change.

The research focused on energy-related materials such as battery materials, photovoltaic cells, modelling and simulation of materials, components and systems for energy supply (see Computational science and engineering) and hydrogen production.

View Professor Yulin Zhong’s 2024 presentation on Electrochemical engineering and direct ink writing 3D printing: Cost-effective production of 2D nanomaterials and their bespoke assemblies.

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Industry partners: RMIT, Sydney Water

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major energy consumers, accounting for about 1% of Australia’s grid energy. In 2019/20, Sydney Water’s WWTPs used 188 GWhel of electricity at a cost of $23 million. While anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage generates biogas that can supply 40–60% of a plant’s electricity needs, significant energy potential remains in the residual biosolids and digestate. Sydney Water produces 180,000 tonnes of biosolids annually, which are transported long distances for reuse, incurring high costs and emissions. To improve energy recovery and reduce biosolid volumes, Sydney Water installed a thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment (THP) plant at St Marys. However, THP is energy-intensive and yields only modest net energy gains.

From 2022 to 2024, researchers from RMIT and Griffith Universities, led by Professor Prasad Kaparaju, modelled the energy and economic performance of THP (pre-treatment) versus wet air oxidation (WAO) of biosolids (post-treatment). The study assessed the feasibility of recovering residual energy from AD products and provided Sydney Water with detailed scenario analyses, including capital investment, net present value, and internal rate of return. Findings indicated that capital funding support would be essential for WWTPs to adopt THP, offering Sydney Water critical insights for future energy and waste management strategies.

Read the Race for 2030 report

The water-based battery research work, led by Professor Yulin Zhong, has allowed industry a cost-effective, energy efficient, approach that uses materials to make hydrogen from water in a cheaper and more efficient way. In this study, Professor Zhong created a special structure that looks like a tiny forest made of two different materials layered together. These materials were built on a nickel base and help speed up both parts of the water-splitting process: making hydrogen and oxygen.

This new material works well. It needs very little extra energy to start producing hydrogen and oxygen, and it stays stable for over 200 hours. The reason it works so efficiently is because of how the two materials interact at their connection point, which helps improve how they handle the chemical reactions. Also, adding chromium and using the forest-like shape makes the material better at conducting electricity and exposing more active areas for the reactions to happen.

Overall, this discovery supports better design for batteries through the process of electrolysis, helping industry make clean energy more practical and affordable.

Read Professor Zhong's 2024 article on a novel nanostructured catalyst that boosts water splitting efficiency for clean energy – through hydrogen – production.

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Industry partners: Industry Capacity Network Queensland and the Advanced Materials and Battery Council (with the University of Wollongong, University of Southern Queensland, and QUT)

Led by Associate Professor Nagesh Shukla from Griffith University’s Department of Management, this national initiative strengthens Australia’s battery manufacturing capabilities by identifying strategic opportunities across the lithium-ion and flow battery supply chains. Developed in collaboration with the Industry Capacity Network Queensland, the Advanced Materials and Battery Council (AMBC), and academic partners including the University of Wollongong, University of Southern Queensland, and QUT, the project culminated in a landmark report that outlines how Australia can scale domestic production to support long-duration energy storage and clean energy access.

Crucially, the project provides direct support to energy efficiency services for industry by identifying actionable pathways for local manufacturers to integrate battery technologies into their operations. It highlights how domestic production of battery components—such as through critical minerals processing, active materials manufacturing, and battery pack assembly—can reduce energy costs, improve system performance, and enhance sustainability. The findings are informing national and local policy strategies, helping industry stakeholders adopt energy-efficient technologies and build a sovereign, low-emissions manufacturing base.

Read more Read the report on Battery Component Manufacturing in Australia

Industry partners: Sugar Research Australia and Australian Seaweed Institute

Griffith University researchers, led by Professor Qin Li and Dr Dechao Chen, are pioneering a clean energy solution that uses sunlight to convert methanol into hydrogen and other valuable products—without releasing harmful carbon emissions. This process, which operates at room temperature, is far more energy-efficient than traditional methods and relies on a new material made from carbon dots and zinc selenide. The innovation supports circular economy principles and offers a sustainable alternative to petrochemical processes, helping industries reduce their environmental footprint. This breakthrough demonstrates Griffith’s leadership in developing scalable, green technologies that benefit both industry and the environment, and opens the door to cleaner manufacturing and energy systems.

As part of a collaborative 2023–2026 project with Sugar Research Australia and the Australian Seaweed Institute, the research team is working directly with local industry to develop a new product made from renewable resources, including biomass waste. This product will enable flexible, on-demand hydrogen delivery using biomass-derived carbon dots, contributing to energy efficiency and clean energy goals. With access to the Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre, the team is addressing the environmental challenge of biomass waste—such as wheat straw and sugarcane residues—which is often burned or discarded. The project not only supports Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities in Energy but also positions the country to export this technology globally, offering both climate and economic benefits across sectors like power generation, transport, and industrial manufacturing.

Read the findings ‘Colloidal Synthesis of Carbon Dot-ZnSe Nanoplatelet Vander Waals Heterostructures for Boosting PhotocatalyticGeneration of Methanol-Storable Hydrogen’, which have been published in the journal Small.

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Industry partners: AMPC and Tessele Consultants

This 2023-2026 project, led by Professor Prasad Kaparaju, is working directly with industry to convert residual waste in the Australian red meat industry into biogas, or biomethane, which will be used to generate renewable electricity for export to electricity grids, as well as for use on-site (Behind the meter) within the industry itself through a pilot-scale anaerobic co-digestion study. This project aims to demonstrate the use of solid organic bioresource generated at two Australian red meat processing facilities, as part of a trial on short-term impacts, before a potential adoption across the whole industry, therefore having significant impacts on biogas productivity, waste management, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) abatement, energy efficiency and clean energy production.

The project’s potential impact holds the promise of transforming the industry and contributing to a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future using renewable energy. It has the potential to lead to full-scale implementation at various red meat processing facilities across Australia, making a significant impact on sustainable waste management of red meat industry processor wastes, clean energy generation, organic fertiliser production and carbon emissions reduction.

The project also aims to benefit the agricultural sector by creating approximately 440 tonnes of bio-fertilisers to replace fossil-fuel-derived chemical fertilisers and avoid the associated GHG emissions in production and use. Moreover, the project could generate about 93 gigalitres (GL) of recycled water, if integrated with wastewater treatment.

Find out more at Race for 2030

Griffith University researchers have conducted a global study to assess the potential for co-locating offshore wind energy and aquaculture industries, offering a promising pathway to support clean energy and sustainable economic growth. By combining data on aquaculture production (finfish, bivalves, and seaweed) with offshore wind energy potential, the study identifies regions where these industries can operate together efficiently. Importantly, the research includes an analysis of the Bass Strait, Australia, showing strong potential for co-location of offshore wind and finfish aquaculture. This regional insight provides a valuable tool for local industry and government to plan energy-efficient, low-impact development in marine environments.

This 2024-2025 study also incorporates each country’s capacity to develop its blue economy, helping governments and industry stakeholders identify areas with the greatest opportunity for clean energy and sustainable aquaculture growth. With Australia among the countries showing significant co-location potential, the findings support local industry by streamlining planning, reducing regulatory and financial risks, and promoting integrated use of ocean resources. This research demonstrates Griffith’s commitment to informing policy and supporting industry innovation in clean energy and energy-efficient technologies, particularly in marine-based sectors.

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Industry partners: Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre, BOC, Optimal Group Australia, pitt&sherry, Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, Hydro Tasmania

This 2024–2027 research project, led by Professor Evan Gray and supported by the Blue Economy CRC, is helping offshore industries—especially aquaculture—shift from fossil fuels to green hydrogen. Phase 1, underway in Hobart, uses a 700 kW electrolyser powered by renewable electricity to produce clean hydrogen for local use. Phase 2 will deploy a hydrogen microgrid offshore, integrating solar, battery, and hydrogen systems. The project will model and simulate energy flows to optimise clean energy delivery under real-world conditions, supporting industry decarbonisation and energy resilience.

Find out more from the Blue Economy CRC Find out more from HyResearch

Industry partners: Jinko Solar Co. Ltd, Global Power Generation Australia Pty Ltd, Halocell Energy Limited, and Pure Power Tech Pty Ltd. (with Queensland University of Technology [ARC Lead Institution], The University of Queensland, UNSW, Griffith University, and The Australian National University)

Established in 2024, with Prof Qin Li as the Griffith lead, the Research Hub aims to produce zero-emission power generation technologies to directly assist industry in meeting carbon neutrality targets. The Research Hub is working on innovative ways of transforming carbon dioxide from our energy and manufacturing sectors into products. The outcomes of the Hub are likely to be transformative for society, the economy, and the environment, through production of renewable – clean – energy pathways and decreasing environmental pollutants caused by industry.

The Hub brings together a strong consortium of academic and industry partners, designed to accelerate the translation of research into scalable technologies, stimulate new industries, and support Australia’s transition to a net-zero emissions future by 2050. Turquoise Group is a partner in the Hub and a leader in the green industrial revolution, producing Turquoise Hydrogen, a highly energy efficient approach that eliminates direct CO and CO₂ emissions.

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Industry partners: Pakistan-China Institute, The Institute for Essential Services Reform, Green Finance & Development Center, Climate Smart Ventures

A new 2025 report from the Griffith Asia Institute, co-authored by Dr Christoph Nedopil and international collaborators, provides a practical roadmap for strengthening partnerships between Chinese Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Asian stakeholders to accelerate clean energy development. The report outlines strategies for delivering bankable, socially responsible, and technically sound solar, wind, and hydro projects, offering guidance across the full lifecycle—from tenders and Power Purchase Agreements to construction and long-term operations. It draws on insights from over 40 experts across 10 countries to help reduce regulatory risks and improve project outcomes.

By offering tailored recommendations for both Chinese developers and Asian utilities, the report supports governments and industry in scaling renewable energy while addressing challenges such as payment delays, grid constraints, and environmental opposition. It promotes improved transparency, faster permitting, and stronger local engagement—key factors in building trust and unlocking billions in clean energy investment. This work reinforces Griffith’s role in informing policy and supporting industry collaboration to meet Asia’s energy and climate goals.

Read more Read the report which is intended for policymakers, utilities, investors, and IPP developers working to deliver Asia’s energy transition.

Industry partners: UPALA Pty Ltd (with QUT)

Griffith University is a key collaborator in a pioneering project focused on developing sustainable hard carbon (HC) materials from lignin—a low-value by-product of agricultural biomass—for use in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Unlike lithium-ion batteries, SIBs offer a cost-effective and abundant alternative for energy storage, but face challenges in energy density. This project aims to overcome these limitations by innovating HC production methods using renewable lignin sourced from sugarcane bagasse and rice husk. Through advanced techniques such as ethanol-assisted hydrothermal carbonisation, glycerol-assisted crosslinking, and silica-lignin integration, the research seeks to optimise HC microstructure to enhance battery performance, reduce carbon footprint, and support industry and Australia’s transition to low-emissions technologies.

The project includes pilot-scale demonstrations and a comprehensive techno-economic assessment to evaluate the viability of multi-product biorefineries. These biorefineries will not only produce high-performance HCs but also generate valuable co-products like cellulosic sugars and potash fertiliser. The initiative aligns with national manufacturing priorities and promises significant economic, environmental, and social benefits—including new revenue streams, job creation in regional areas, and reduced reliance on fossil resources. The outcomes will contribute to building a sovereign battery manufacturing capability and advancing Australia’s clean energy future.

Dr Liang Wang from Griffith’s Centre for Catalysis and Clean Energy is leading a 2025-2027 project – which builds on his work to date – to develop high-efficiency single-atom electrodes for electro-catalytic hydrogenation. This technology enables the production of clean, value-added hydrogen-based products at industrial scales, using precisely engineered materials to maximise performance. By advancing affordable and scalable hydrogen generation, the project supports Australia’s leadership in renewable energy and materials science, with strong potential for commercialisation and industry adoption.