With funding of $20 million over four years, the Clean Energy Innovation Centre will help enhance the performance of Australia’s small and medium sized clean energy companies by providing a range of business improvement services.
The centre will:
- Provide a comprehensive review of the firm that identifies its strengths and weaknesses, strategic business issues, potential areas for business improvement and potential areas for growth;
- Provide grants for addressing areas identified by the review for improvement/growth;
- Find and adapt the latest research and technology to help firm’s improve their products and manufacturing processes;
- Provide access to specialist facilities and advice to turn innovative ideas into new products or to test products for new markets;
- Help in identifying export markets and understanding relevant regulatory, cultural and market issues;
- Help firms to become export ready, including through developing management and marketing skills; and
- Identify sources of government support for the firm’s innovation and export activities.
Through the Clean Energy Innovation Centre, businesses will also be able to gain quick access to services provided under Austrade’s Clean Energy Export Strategy.
The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Department of Innovation) invited proposals from organisations to host, and to assist in delivering, some elements of the Clean Energy Innovation Centre (CEIC). The proposals received are currently being assessed by the Department.