Getting the energy transition right: the case for an integrated energy RD&I initiative
In November 2024, the EEC partnered with Energy Research Institutes Council Australia (ERICA) to recommend that Australia's Commonwealth, State and Territory governments urgently make a step-change investment in energy research, development and innovation.
As Australia’s RD&I efforts – at 1.68% of GDP – lag our international competitors, we run the risk of not undertaking the necessary RD&I to meet our energy transition needs.
In a joint statement launched at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan by EEC CEO Luke Menzel, we pointed out this discrepancy is especially so as energy RD&I comprises only 5% of our national RD&I effort – when the energy transition is likely to be the most pressing and urgent of the challenges facing us.
While energy RD&I efforts such as those through ARENA and several CRCs have made some progress to better direct RD&I towards parts of the energy system beyond supply, delivery and storage technologies, a fully integrated energy RD&I capability remains elusive – meaning our transition will be slower, more expensive and more emissions-intensive than necessary.
The joint statement adds to calls for Australia to increase its support for RD&I to at least 3 per cent of GDP, and adds an urgent increase of energy focused RD&I investment, consistent with the EEC's recently released position paper Energy Research, Development and Innovation.
ERICA and the EEC also call for the establishment of a dedicated centre for energy integration RD&I, bringing together academics, policymakers, industry and NGOs to help develop knowledge, expertise and solutions to solve energy problems with an integrated, holistic approach.
- Read the joint statement from EEC and ERICA here
- Read and download the EEC's Energy Research, Development and Innovation paper here.