Energy and Hydrogen

Connecting businesses and politics for the energy market of the future: the Energy cluster facilitates industry exchange, provides essential insights, and addresses key issues. With most of the industrial nations striving to decarbonize, the energy market is undergoing radical change. Industry players need to stay on top of relevant information about innovation and policies.

modern technology solar panels and wind turbines in a green field gathering clean energy — R-J-Seymour via Canva

Streamlining Bilateral Business

Germany is renowned for its cutting edge technology, but this is not to say that Australia is lagging in disruptive inventions. In addition to its natural assets like wind and solar, Australia has a wealth of experience in running large energy projects and is short-listed to become one of the major providers of green energy for Germany and other import markets. As the Australian Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Phillip Green, said: “3% of Australia’s landmass can provide 10times the green energy Germany needs.”

For both countries to reach their full potential, they need focused exchange opportunities.

The Energy cluster provides tailored activities to this end, e.g. bilateral delegation visits, both physically and virtually, individual meetings to best support member companies and team them up with matching partners, and round tables with top representatives from industry and politics. With the AHK Australien’s deep engagement in both governments, the Cluster can update its members first-hand about policy developments and some of the most important funding streams.

Creating Value

We look after our Cluster members individually. This means listening to their concerns, making sure their needs are addressed, or setting them up with the right partner. We receive inquiries from the most interesting companies daily and are proud to connect them with our members from both countries for mutual benefit. All market participants make indispensable contributions to the energy market, from sensors and pumps to large-scale facilities, shipping vessels or finance and insurance solutions.

Our Cluster members are the first to be informed of funding opportunities or policy developments or to receive invites to targeted events such as webinars, delegations, industry exchange. The opportunities for exposure help establish a company on the radar of the industry, facilitating business.

The Energy Cluster supports all bilateral businesses active in the energy field, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. For hydrogen, the Energy Cluster is the in-depth extension of the German-Australian Hydrogen Alliance, providing Cluster members with all benefits of the Alliance and tailored activities reserved for Cluster members. A Cluster Committee helps steer the Energy cluster as well as increase its influence and network.

Together, we are making sure the future of energy is bright in Australia and Germany.

Framework

Institutions

AEMO – The Australian Energy Market Operator is an independent energy market operator that performs various functions in the national electricity and gas market, including the maintenance of a secure electricity network, market management and the design of the future energy market. This includes close cooperation with governments, energy market authorities and other market participants.
AER – The Australian Energy Regulator controls the electricity and gas networks in all states except Western Australia. The AER reviews the effectiveness of competition in the energy sector, regulates pricing for residential and commercial customers and reports to the ACCC.
ARENA - The Australian Renewable Energy Agency was established by the Australian Government on 1 July 2012. Its purpose is to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increase the supply of renewable energy through innovation that benefits Australian consumers and businesses.
CEFC - The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has a unique role to increase investment in Australia’s transition to lower emissions. With the backing of the Australian Government, we invest to lead the market, operating with commercial rigour to address some of Australia’s toughest emissions challenges – in agriculture, energy generation and storage, infrastructure, property, transport and waste.
DCCEEW - The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Ministry responsible for the energy sector.
CSIRO - The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation was founded in 1916 as a government research organisation. CSIRO works with many Australian and international companies across industries to advance economic, environmental and social development.

Regulations

The Renewable Energy Target (RET) - RET sets the Australian government's target to reduce emissions and thus increase the share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. The target is to generate a total of 33,000 gigawatt hours of electricity from renewable energy sources from major projects by 2020. This target was already achieved in September 2019
National Energy Customer Framework (NECF) - NECF regulates the connection/supply of electricity producers/ providers and network-integrated end customers (small businesses and households). The framework was adopted by the states of ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. The State of Victoria has adapted its own Victorian Energy Retail Code to meet the requirements of the NECF.
State and territory renewable energy - Also of significance in the renewable energy sector are the actions and initiatives of state and territory governments. State and territory governments have announced their own targets to support the renewable energy sector.
Technology Investment Roadmap - The Australian Government is developing a national Technology Investment Roadmap that will drive investment in low emissions technologies to strengthen our economy and support jobs and businesses. This is a key priority on the road to recovery from COVID-19.

Councils

Australian Energy Council (AEC) - The Australian Energy Council (AEC) represents 22 major electricity and downstream natural gas businesses operating in competitive wholesale and retail energy markets. These businesses collectively generate the overwhelming majority of electricity in Australia and sell gas and electricity to over 10 million homes and businesses.
Clean Energy Council - The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia. They are a not-for-profit, membership-based organisation and represent and work with Australia's leading renewable energy and energy storage businesses, as well as rooftop solar installers, to further the development of clean energy in Australia.
Australian Hydrogen Council - The Australian Hydrogen Council is the peak body for the hydrogen industry, with members from across the hydrogen value chain and connect the emerging hydrogen industry and its stakeholders in building a secure, clean and resilient energy future based on hydrogen.
Smart Energy Council – The Smart Energy Council is the peak body for the solar, storage and smart energy in Australia and are a not-for-profit membership organisation committed to clean, efficient, cheap and smart energy solutions for all Australians.