Clean technology innovation

Clean technology innovation is one of the 3 focus areas within Net Zero Industry and Innovation. It supports the development and continued innovation of emerging clean technologies to help NSW shift to net zero emissions by 2050.

By investing in the next wave of innovative, low emissions technologies, we will overcome technical and commercial barriers and build capacity across the state. This will position NSW as a leading investment destination and unlock export opportunities in coming decades.

Our clean technology innovation priority areas are guided by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer’s (OCSE) decarbonisation innovation study.  

These priority areas include, but are not limited to: 

• electrification and energy systems – accelerating renewable energy solutions and supporting uptake of electrification in other sectors 
• land and primary industries – coordinating and aligning efforts in the next wave of sustainable primary industry practices  
• power fuels including hydrogen – growing an environmentally sustainable NSW power fuels industry and unlocking decarbonisation opportunities for many high emitting and hard-to-abate sectors. 

Learn more about the streams of work in clean technology innovation below, including our clean technology commercialisation grants now open for applications. 

NSW decarbonisation innovation hub

Bringing together researchers, industry and government to accelerate new technologies to decarbonise NSW. This $15 million initiative will help create new jobs and high-tech businesses, while developing expertise in emission reduction technology. 

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer (OCSE) will oversee the Hub’s work until 2030.  

For more information: 

• read the media release 
• visit the OCSE website. 

Grants for commercialisation and pilots

Supporting start-ups, entrepreneurs and researchers to bring proven low emission technologies and services to market in Australia and internationally.  

There are two grants: 

1. Clean technology commercialisation

This $40 million grant initiative accelerates the commercialisation and scaling-up of proven clean technology innovations for trade in Australian and international markets. 

EOIs for these grants closed on 3 June 2022. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

Learn more about the grant.

2. Clean technology ecosystems grants

This $10 million grant initiative supports incubators, pre-accelerators, accelerators, and other similar initiatives. It will provide funding for them to equip clean technology start-ups and researchers with the skills and resources they need to succeed. 

EOIs for these grants closed on 22 April 2022. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application. 

Learn more about the grant.
 

Clean technology research and development grants

Supporting the development of commercially viable technologies and services to reduce emissions in high emitting or hard-to-abate industries. This $40 million grant initiative is administered by the NSW Environmental Trust.

EOIs for these grants closed in November 2021.

Learn more at NSW Environmental Trust.

Research, development and commercialisation infrastructure grants

Funding clean technology research, development and commercialisation infrastructure in NSW.  

This $45 million grant initiative invests in infrastructure to accelerate the innovation of clean technologies. This will help significantly reduce emissions in high-emitting and hard-to-abate industries across the state.

EOIs for these grants closed on 22 April 2022. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application. 

Learn more about the grant.   

Low emissions specifications

Exploring opportunities to develop and promote the use of voluntary specifications to drive uptake of low emissions technologies and materials. This may include:  

• voluntary standards and specifications for energy consuming products, services and processes  
• accelerating the uptake of low emissions building materials standards and specifications  
• ratings and voluntary standards for sustainable homes. 

Unlocking sustainable finance

Facilitating the flow of sustainable finance to the NSW clean technology sector. As part of this, we will explore opportunities to: 

• co-design suitable methods, standards and metrics to attract investment to net zero and natural positive opportunities in NSW 
• co-design innovative funding and financing models 
• develop pathways for investment attraction.