Launch of the Sydney Cleantech Network

The Launch of the Sydney Cleantech Network will be held on Tuesday 22 September 2009 from 5:30pm until 7:00pm at the offices of KPMG

at Level 15, 10 Shelley Street, Sydney (entry also via 7 Sussex St)

The evening will include:
- the formal launch and a presentation on the progress of the cleantech sector in NSW by the Hon Carmel Tebbutt, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Climate Change and the Environment.
- two minute pitches from companies seeking finance or partners

Further information is available at the Sydney Cleantech Network group on Linked-in at http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1928638&trk=hb_side_g

To be added to the distribution list for future events please email scn@auscleantech.com.au

Adelaide CleanTech Network drinks - Tuesday 4 August 2009

5:30 until 7:00pm
at the Thomson Playford Cutlers’ offices at
Level 7, 19 Gouger Street, Adelaide

To be added to the distribution list for future events please email acn@auscleantech.com.au

The August 2009 event included:
- a short presentation on the how the Australian Institute of Commercialisation and the Clean Energy Innovation Centre can help South Australian cleantech companies

- 2 minute pitches from four growth companies looking for investors, partners or just wanting to announce company developments. The companies that pitched at this event were:

- WattWatchers - energy and emissions home monitoring system - www.wattwatchers.com.au

- Lumenite - luminscent lighting equipment - www.lwp-lumenite.com

- COPROH - large scale biosequestration and land rehabilitation

- Cogen Microsystems - small scale distributed solar/gas hybrid cogenration systems - www.cogenmicro.com


The following companies have pitched at previous Adelaide Cleantech Network events:

- Flinders University Materials & BioEnergy Group - Nanomaterials for Stormwater harvesting

- CleanFutures - biosensors for Nitrates, Phosphates and Sulfites - www.cleanfutures.com.au

- Acquasol Infrastructure Ltd - large scale solar thermal/gas hybrid power and water generation project - www.acquasol.com.au

- Open Energy - demand management systems - www.openenergy.com.au

- Seadov - second generation wind turbines - www.seadov.com

Green Benefits for all Business

Many businesses might assume that sustainability, emissions and cleantech are issues for only big corporates and that they do not have time to worry about these ‘nice-to-haves’. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are usually so focussed on ensuring sales, keeping costs down and chasing cash flows that, regardless of personal persuasions, keeping the company afloat rates a long way above saving the environment.

These views are exasperated by two types of media coverage of climate change: the no-hope horror stories inciting paralysing terror; and the ‘happy ever after thanks to science’ approach offering an effortless solution.

The continual coverage of melting ice sheets, sea level rises, droughts, severe storms and crop failures is essential in providing a context for debate on climate change. However, the tone is often so cataclysmic, so intent on relishing predictions of upcoming disasters, that many people are left with the defeatist attitude ‘We have passed the tipping point rendering all action pointless’.

Stories of wonderful ‘silver bullet’ inventions that will ‘solve’ the climate change problem are equally as damaging. Tales of genetically modified carbon-munching trees, or dumping iron filings into the ocean allow the listeners to relax and dismiss cautionary news. To those accepting such stories, the problem appears insignificant in the face of man’s scientific innovation.

However, if done well, ‘green’ activities can save money and increase sales for all companies. It does not need to be an extra task needing more management time but rather an excuse to review the business plan and position the company ahead of its competitors and ready for future growth.

There are many people offering to do ‘emissions audits’ and to provide carbon offsets, and these have their place. Much greater value can be secured however by a business assessing its strategies before adopting the quick fix (and extra costs) of carbon offsets. There are two key aspects of a business, whether it produces goods or services, that will drive the greatest increase in the bottom line.

Firstly, how can processes be changed to reduce waste and therefore increase efficiency? The waste may be measured in terms of input materials, consumables, utilities (power and water) and even human resources. The solutions might involve installing new equipment, streamlining approvals processes or recycling waste back into the start of the process. For all the inputs and outputs of a business, whatever it may produce, a balance can be drawn up to show what creates value and what creates waste. Waste streams can then either be reduced or beneficially used.

Waste is just a resource to which insufficient imagination has been applied. Once the waste streams are understood then some imagination and innovation can be applied to utilise and create value from some of these resources. These solutions often need external technical and business process advice to overcome the problem of managers ‘not knowing what they don’t know’.

Secondly, business must look outwards to see what changes are occurring to their business environment. Most importantly, an understanding of how its clients’ needs are changing. Large corporates are starting to look at the supply chain emissions of multiple inputs, Governments want to be seen to be procuring sustainably, hotels are assessing the environmental footprint of their menus and householders are increasingly buying ‘green’. If a company does not anticipate these changes, it will lose market share. If it continues to ignore them, it will go broke. By moving early, however, it is possible to gain customers and move ahead of competitors.

Over time, sustainability and climate change will change every aspect of how our communities work. This change presents huge opportunities for those willing to grab them. Opportunities to both improve their internal processes and to anticipate the changing needs of their customers. Those that do not evolve and are focussed only on the problems will find themselves left well behind. Which will you choose to be?

Australian CleanTech works with businesses to help them understand their efficiencies and the changing supply chain environment.

Open Letter to Senator Fielding

13 July 2009

Dear Senator

As you would know, the news today widely reported that you have been unable to find coherent answers to your reasonable queries on climate change and have raised this issue with your fellow parliamentarians.

I am by no means a climate scientist, but I have heard some reasonably compelling answers to the points that you have raised. In Australia, Professor Barry Brook at the University of Adelaide is able to provide detailed explanations that may help arrest your concerns. I will be seeing Barry tomorrow and will let him know that you may be in contact.

Through contacts in the US and in Europe, I can also connect you with other leading global climate scientists who will be able to provide you with as much detail as you wish to see. There is of course no absolutes, no absolute proof – science as you know is merely a question of fitting the most likely cause with the most obvious consequence. The evidence appears however to be reasonably conclusive on many of the key points.

I would agree with you that science is not perfect. This is continually demonstrated in scientific fields such as medicine, but we continue to take treatments even when the diagnosis is not perfect. Like the human body, there is undoubtedly far more to learn and far greater understanding of our climate to be gained.

Some might consider the fact that the vast majority of global climate scientists agree in overview (if not in detail) to be merely a conspiracy of self-reinforcement amongst all those ‘white coats’. Others might consider that in fact the weight of probability appears to be strongly in favour of anthropogenic climate change caused by emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

In the unlikely event that all the leading scientists have got it wrong, there is an interesting consideration that I first heard raised by Professor Stephen Schneider of Stanford University. He asked a public meeting in Adelaide Town Hall how many in the audience had house insurance, to which many hands were raised. He then asked how many people have had their house burn down, to which one poor chap at the back raised his hand. To many who have thought seriously about the issue, the insurance of reducing carbon emissions appears to be a sensible precaution just in case the world’s climate scientists happen to be correct.

If you are right, then I will happily applaud you once the scientists are standing with you. That you may be wrong and, through your actions, may even manage to turn global opinion against the climate science community, worries me immensely. I wish to invest in climate insurance for my family.

If there is a hint of uncertainty, then taking the safe route through backing the majority of climate scientists appears to be the only rationale course of action.

Please let me know if you would like to be introduced to any particular climate scientists – I would be more than happy to facilitate this through my contacts.

I apologise for making this an open letter with the media, but it is an issue that is too important to remain in private.

Best regards
John

BOOK LAUNCH SEMINARS

Opportunities Beyond Carbon: Looking Forward to a Sustainable World

The book Opportunities Beyond Carbon: Looking Forward to a Sustainable World was launched in June at the Adelaide ‘Economy of the Future’ seminar. The book is published by Melbourne University Press.

The Sydney book launch seminar was held on Friday 10 July at the EBA's offices in Pott's Point. The Melbourne book launch seminar was held on Friday 17 July at Investec's offices on Collins Street.

‘Verily I say unto you: this is a new New Testament, containing hope of a planetary resurrection ... Read this book. Immediately. This book should be set to music and sung aloud by all policy makers.’
Phillip Adams, broadcaster, columnist.


The book aims to recast the debate on climate change from one of fear and problems to one of hope and opportunity. It contains a collection of essays from key politicians, investors, business people, activists and academics on how to make the most of the current predicament. The authors include the Hon Greg Hunt MP, the environment spokesperson for the Federal Opposition, Professor Sir David King of the University of Oxford, Bill Mckibben, the renowned American author, and Tenke Zoltani who works with Lord Nicholas Stern in London.

This fresh, lucid and practical optimism for the future offers a foundation for an entirely new and proactive attitude to climate change.

Opportunities Beyond Carbon presents climate change as potentially the ‘best crisis we ever had’. It maps the many opportunities for communities large and small, local and international, making the transition to a low carbon economy.

At the Adelaide launch, the book’s editor, John O’Brien said that ‘Media stories on climate change either focus on the dire consequences or on the ‘silver bullet’ scientific solutions. The community views the first as a reason not to get involved as the problem is too big and too remote in time and place. The second type of story also provides a reason not to get involved by telling themselves that “those clever scientist will sort it out for us!”'

‘By telling positive stories about beneficial changes made because of climate change, it will be possible to engage all levels of community and change the focus from one of fear to one of opportunity.’

‘The future visions provided in this book give cause for hope, optimism and celebration.’

The seminars feature some of the authors and provide insights into the science and regulatory status, the opportunities and solutions and how to secure the finance needed to pay for the transition.


Endorsements for the book include the following:

Ever since a former Astronomer Royal announced that “space travel is impossible” we have found ways to postpone the future. But there are much better things to do with carbon than setting it alight. This terrific book explores some of the most exciting alternatives—for a future replete with energy, sustainability and choice. Never before have the real possibilities been so interesting.
Robyn Williams, host of The Science Show, ABC Radio

By focussing on the opportunities rather than the challenges of climate change, this book provides an excellent platform to drive changes with tangible benefits for all. The breadth of opportunities covered gives hope that this will indeed be the ‘best crisis we ever had’.
Mark Lynas, author of Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet.


The book can be purchased online from Melbourne University Press at www.mup.com.au/page/118

Can Australasia lead the Cleantech world?

Australia and New Zealand have the opportunity to
leverage our technology innovation and green image to become global Cleantech leaders, driving a new wave of investment and green collar jobs.


The Adelaide Cleantech Network ran a seminar in early April that brought together some of Australasia’s leading Cleantech proponents. This practical discussion was designed to stimulate the relationships and business linkages that drive innovation, connecting attendees with potential clients, technology leaders, investors, researchers and policy leaders.

The event was run in collaboration with the Australia New Zealand Business Council and the Water Industry Alliance.

Speakers at the event included:
- His Excellency John Larkindale, New Zealand High Commissioner
- David Klingberg, Chairman of the Premier's Climate Change Council
- Andrew Dickson, Wind Prospects, on ‘The Growth of the Australasian Wind Industry to 2020’
- Professor Gus Nathan, University of Adelaide on ‘Sustainable utilisation of energy’
- Sean Ebert, Worley Parsons on ‘Australia’s solar thermal potential’
- Helga Brigden, Mercer Investment Consulting on ‘Harnessing superannuation money for cleantech initiatives’
- Kerry Rooney, Austrade on ‘International initiatives to sell Australasian cleantech’
- Vaughan Levitske , ZeroWaste on waste and recycling initiatives

It is hoped to stage this as an annual Australian New Zealand initiative.

The Beauty of Pessimism

I am jealous of pessimists. Life must be so easy when all you can only ever see is the downsides and the reasons why things should not be changed.

I am even more jealous of pessimists who have access to expensive PR firms and lobbyists, who can make sure that a whole country is influenced by their psyche. This week has provided some fine demonstrations of pessimism at work. The federal Government backed down on its proposed CPRS plan under pressure from all sides to help shore up its poll ratings in order not to be remembered as a ‘oncer’ government (one that only lasted a single term). The Government viewed the option of being bold and courageous with pessimism, as it considered whether the voters would come with it. Sadly, it felt like it had more to do with getting ‘one over on Malcolm’ rather than serious policy formulation.

The industry commentators on these changes provided further examples: Mitch Hooke from the Minerals Council of Australia claimed the scheme’s delay ‘amounts to little more than a temporary stay of execution for thousands of mining jobs…’; Charles Burke from the National Farmers’ Federation explained how beef farmers would go broke; and the coal industry are still furious that they only get $750m.

Pessimism works well in driving two outcomes. Firstly it is great for increasing the fear of change – if you only see the negatives then why risk moving forward. Secondly, it encourages incrementalism – like walking down a rocky path on a moonless night, it is OK to shuffle forward slowly but far too risky to take a big step or maybe even a leap. So people continue to see the world through the same lens and just tinker at the margins.

The pessimists are right in that pricing carbon will cause jobs losses in emissions intensive industries. Given the whole point is to reduce consumption of emissions intensive products, job losses will demonstrate the scheme’s success. Viewed in isolation, this is a terrible outcome. Pessimists are good at looking at things in silos. Looking back over the last 30 years, Australia has lost and exported almost all of its jobs as manufacturing shut down and globalisation took hold. Many have deplored this loss.

Pessimists are also right in that some emissions intensive investment may, in the short term, go to countries less advanced on carbon pricing. This ‘carbon leakage’ will not result in increased emissions, as all new plants will be built with an eye on future global carbon schemes, but it may result in job losses here and gains elsewhere.

Sadly I am not a pessimist. I see that the export of Australian manufacturing jobs has helped the Australian workforce increase its skills and increase the country’s financial wealth. I see emissions intensive industries moving offshore as an opportunity for Australia to start focussing on the industries of the future – the cleantech industries – and thereby loosening the shackles to those industries that will inevitably go into decline as carbon is further restricted. I see an opportunity for unions to strongly advocate for the development of the new industries and their associated cleantech skills to secure future employment for their members, rather than seeking to protect jobs in twentieth century industries.

There are, of course, serious transition issues in all of this and there will be difficulties on a local level. Stewart Taggart of Desertec-Australia comments on this transition by stating that as long as governments focus on looking after workers rather than the shareholders, this will be manageable.

Dr Sam Wells from the University of Adelaide speaks brilliantly of how paradigm changes only occur when the change is driven by the attraction to something better rather than moving away from something bad. Through cleantech, Australia will create green jobs, will create more connected communities and in the process increase both wealth and even the happiness of its people. The paradigm shift requires a change of perspective to the positives of a cleantech future rather than all the negatives of the changes to existing industries.

Luckily, the growth of cleantech is not reliant on there being a strong carbon price. Renewable energies will be driven the Renewable Energy Target and other cleantech sub-sectors will be driven by resource depletion, population growth and increasing wealth and life quality expectations. That the CPRS will be weak is irrelevant to cleantech as it will grow and prosper regardless.

Optimists can see a brighter future, but then have the significant challenges of convincing the wider community that the short term pain is worthwhile and then delivering on the vision.

Life would be easy as a pessimist!


This article was originally published in Environment Management News

Securing Cleantech Benefits for Australia

Australia has the chance to secure its long term economic security from taking a leading role in cleantech. What’s more the current financial downturn presents the perfect opportunity to make a step change to sustainable industries, replacing those emissions-intensive industries that will inevitably decline, and underwriting Australia’s GDP growth for decades. It will however take some bold and confident steps to be taken by Government and companies to fully secure these benefits.

Australia has a choice on whether it wishes to be a future technology taker or to become a global leader in clean technologies. There are many jurisdictions around the world that are seeking to establish themselves as centres of excellence for cleantech. In North America, regions such as Ontario, the North–Western States and Los Angeles have all been pushing hard to create industries of the future. In our region, the Singaporean Government have placed cleantech high on its priority list of industries for which it wants to become the ‘gateway to Asia’. Only this week, the Florida State Government issued a document titled Florida: Building a Foundation for Excellence in Clean Energy in which it considered the State’s strengths in solar, biomass, fuel cells and ocean currents and its strategy to become a global leader in each.

Australia clearly has world class natural resources in solar, wind, wave and geothermal energy. Through its lack of water, it has also been forced to innovate with some clever water management and efficiency technologies. So the question is then how does the country secure the greatest benefits from these natural advantages.
Government’s clearly have a part to play in this through targeted grants and other measures such as renewable energy targets (RET). In Australia, the RET will underwrite the roll out of mature wind technologies developed elsewhere, the Clean Energy Program (CEP) will hopefully drive some Australian innovation in solar and wave technologies and the Geothermal Drilling Program may further Australia’s leading position there. Despite protestations to the contrary, Governments alone will not do enough to guarantee success in any of these fields regardless of the quantum of grant money.

To create the best chance of success requires entrepreneurs and technology developers to collaborate and build companies and solutions that are ready to be sold to the world.

One technique that is being undertaken by a number of companies is to consolidate technology offerings. By pooling a number of similar development technologies, the chances of success for all involved are greatly improved. As part of a consortium, the individual technology developers can leverage off the greater scale to market their technology globally; investors have the opportunity to invest in a diverse portfolio of technologies rather than just backing a single product; and Australia benefits by seeing more of its technology commercialised at home and thereby builds a sustainable future for its communities.

Governments at all levels can assist in this process by providing hubs for this collaboration to occur as well as grants to help things progress, but it is those with the technologies that have the greatest influence on the success of this strategy. By choosing to become part of a group rather than being a stand-alone company changes the route to international commercialisation. Technologies are no longer the ‘babies’ of their inventors but rather become part of wider offering. Inventors must give up the need for total control and become part of a team – a team that has a greatly increased chance of success.

Two companies that I am involved with that are pursuing this strategy are GPAus and CleanFutures. GPAus is building a suite of emerging wind technologies that it can then take to global wind turbine manufacturers to enable them to accelerate their progression towards Gen-2 wind turbines. CleanFutures is assembling diverse nanotechnology-enabled environmental solutions that can be backed and commercialised as a portfolio.

Australia can be a technology exporter of future high value products that will create an advanced and sustainable manufacturing base for the country. This will occur if Governments provide the right environment and technology developers choose to work as a team to the benefit of all. It is the cleantech providers that join forces who will have the greatest chance of succeeding on a global scale and if they succeed then Australia will be the greatest beneficiary.

Companies interested in discussing participation with GPAus or CleanFutures should contact the author on john.obrien@auscleantech.com.au.

A Bio-Cleantech Future

In a recent presentation to the SA BioAngels, John O'Brien explained the cross-over points between cleantech and biotech. This included a description of which if the cleantech sub-sectors can be calssed as 'bio-cleantech' and therefore have application potential for biotech companies and techniques.

Examples of both companies and investors that have successfully combined cleantech and biotech were also presented along with thoughts on how greater future benefits can be secured.

For a copy of the slides from this presentation, please email your request to info@auscleantech.com.au

Launch of CleanFutures

South Australia continues to be a focal point for expertise in clean and sustainable technologies with the launch of new venture CleanFutures.

CleanFutures is a joint venture of NanoVentures Australia, Australian CleanTech and Bridge8 with the goal of successfully commercialising nanotechnologies that enable clean futures.

Our combination of capabilities and connections means we are able to successfully fund and commercialise technologies that enable clean futures.

By combining the IP, technology transfer and commercialisation project management skills of NanoVentures Australia (NVA), with the clean technology and investment market knowledge of Australian CleanTech and the futures work, government networks and marketing capability of Bridge8, CleanFutures plans to establish the template for the commercialisation of enabling technologies.

Dr Kristin Alford, Managing Director of foresight and science communications firm Bridge8 Pty Ltd, said “Technologies that succeed in the future will be ones that serve the community in a sustainable way. These emerging technologies will developed by combining many disciplines. Our combination of skills means we can take an innovative and integrated approach to commercialisation and makes this joint venture an attractive proposition for South Australia.”

Commenting on the launch of CleanFutures, Barry Brook, the Sir Hubert Wilkins Chair of Climate Change at the University of Adelaide, said, “There is an urgent need for innovative solutions and new technologies to address the ever more present problem of climate change. The opportunities for those that provide these solutions are huge.”

CleanFutures has commenced planning for its first three technologies:
• Carbon nanotube composites for wind turbine blades;
• Aquasens, a rapid, highly sensitive sensor probe for the detection of nitrates and phosphates in water, and sulphites in wine and food products; and
• Oxipure, a patented technology for the effective removal of contaminants including arsenic, phosphates and silicates from environmental waters.

It is believed that there are many future applications that will be brought to market through the integrated approach of nanotechnology and cleantech: an approach that appears to be a world first.

John O’Brien, Managing Director of Australian CleanTech, said “Nanotechnology provides many of the enabling mechanisms that allow cleantech companies to deliver both environmental benefits and investment returns. I am very excited about the launch of CleanFutures, as I believe it has the potential to deliver many game changing technologies with benefits for the community, the environment and the economy. These technologies will enable the future to be clean.”

Dr Peter Binks, CEO of NanoVentures Australia, said “NanoVentures Australia has a portfolio of cleantech technologies ready for market. We see great opportunities in South Australia, with its outstanding research base and strong manufacturing industry”.

CleanFutures was initiated through discussions between the partners at two recently launched industry networks: the Adelaide Cleantech Network (led by Australian CleanTech) and the Australian Nano Business Forum.

“The launch of CleanFutures is a tangible outcome of industry networking and demonstrates the benefits of meeting new colleagues and sharing interests”, said Dr Kristin Alford.

Further information about us, our technologies and our capabilities is available at http://www.cleanfutures.com.au or by emailing cleanfutures@auscleantech.com.au.