ACT HUB
ACT’S HUB OF ACTIVITY The ACT Renewables Hub is helping bring parties together and enhance the ACT’s renewable energy sector. The Smart Energy Council which is now managing the Hub has kicked off the year with a range of workshops and meetings that are spawning industry connections.
The ACT Renewables Hub is an initiative with the ACT Government as part of its industry development strategy to grow the renewable energy ecosystem. Funded via the $12m Renewable Energy Innovation Fund, the Hub commenced operations in 2016 and has since helped accelerate several innovative start-ups.
THE ACT RENEWABLES HUB which runs a series of workshops and networking events is on a mission to facilitate collaboration between academics, researchers, government, entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, investors, individuals and international organisations with offices in the ACT. “We have set out to create purposeful events that provide the opportunity for productive conversations and positive outcomes for participants, whether it is learning more about industry technologies or the possibility of forming some sort of joint endeavour,” said Project Leader Alethia Barceinas, the main liaison between the Smart Energy Council and the ACT Government. An example of a productive meeting involved a subsequent project partnership between two progressive companies. “A staged introduction that took place during an event arranged by the ACT Renewables Hub subsequently developed into a business partnership,” Alethia explained. “The two parties concerned are David Keightley of Ecospectral and Bhavin Suthar of ADS Solar who joined forces to deliver transformational energy solutions to buildings.” Ecospectral BRIM System and ADS Solar provide an integrated solution that adapts and optimises building energy usage. The technology uses Ecospectral’s IoT sensing and control solution that uses a sensing system called BRIM to collect and process real time data in buildings 24/7. The system tracks and monitors energy, fine grained occupancy, temperature, noise and light tracking and HVAC.
“This is one great example of what being part of the ACT Renewables Hub involves; it can open the door to some valuable business opportunities,” Alethia Barceinas said. Some of the events staged before the lockdown took effect: • The Smart Energy Council introduced its Board members to the ACT community through the extended community of <2 Degrees Renewables Innovation Hub. • The Smart Energy Council, in partnership with the Canberra Innovation Network, organised a collaboration workshop focused on building an impactful virtual Renewables Energy Hub in the ACT. The well-subscribed event featured keynotes by renewables expert Simon Corbell and the Smart Energy Council‘s John Grimes. Simon Corbell commented: “What makes the city of Canberra so special is that it is small enough to get things done, and big enough to scale up. That, along with the Territory’s strong track record in advancing renewable energy, is why the virtual renewable hub in Canberra is so beneficial – it has the opportunity to connect this small, yet powerful community.”
Virtual meetings and networking Alethia explained the focus of the ACT Renewables Hub is now on developing the best means of staying connected online such as a LinkedIn Group www.linkedin.com/groups/12401102/, online events using innovative tools like Hopin and regular virtual catch ups. With the new branding of the ACT Renewables Hub (previously the <2 Degrees Renewables Innovation Hub) Alethia is also developing the digital communications channels which include a new website, social media and online platform. Want to know more or be included on the database for upcoming events and news from the ACT Renewables Hub? Contact Alethia Barceinas on 0452 414 070 or alethia@smartenergy.org.au
Bhavin Suthar (second from right) from ADS Solar meets David Keightley (right) from Ecospectral during a meeting hosted by the ACT Renewables Hub
52 WINTER 2020
