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Energy transitions

Partner with us to progress the energy transition and meet the demands of a decarbonised economy.

Shaping our future energy reality

The world is at a critical juncture in its generation and use of energy.

Many economies have set aggressive decarbonisation targets, but the scale and complexity of achieving these targets requires collective partnerships across government, industry, academia and the wider community.

We draw together multidisciplinary research capabilities and expertise from across UQ to explore the energy challenges facing today’s world and connect that capability with our partners.

2 UQ researchers assessing a row of solar panels on a sunny day at one of our solar farms

What we offer

Partnering with us provides access to the following benefits.

Collaborative research platforms with state-of-the-art equipment and software tools, enabling world-class teaching and research.

Our analysis informs policy and regulatory frameworks, drives deeper engagement, and increases stakeholder confidence.

Advanced education to develop skills and capabilities that will underpin the jobs of the future.

Our capabilities and impact

UQ researchers are investigating the technical dynamics of changing energy systems and the human-centred dimensions of people, communities and economies to address the enormous challenge of supplying our future energy needs. Our research centres around:

Transition pathways

A row of electric vehicles are parked along the street with charging cables plugged in

Understanding scale and complexity, investment and sectoral coupling, and planning and development across regions.

People and communities

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This research area includes promoting communication, engagement and participation as well as skills, training and employment.

Policy and markets

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Developing policy and regulations, market governance arrangements, business models and value chains, and managing environmental impacts.

Resources

Two people walking on a mine site wearing high-vis and hard hats. Heavy machinery operates in the background.

Understanding production and use of critical minerals and materials underpinning new energy technologies.

Technologies

Close up of a small computer chip-like nanomaterial created in a UQ laboratory

We're working on energy sources and technologies for generation and storage, including renewables, hydrogen, bio and waste energy, natural gas, CCUS and clean fuels.

Systems and supply

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Optimising electrification and integration of renewables, microgrid and energy storage systems, transport, mobility and digitalisation.

Partner with us

Keen to know more or have an idea for a partnership? Contact our industry specialist.

Caroline Stott
Associate Director, Enterprise Research Partnerships (Energy Transitions)
Email c.stott@uq.edu.au

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Research stories

See our research in action, learn more about ongoing projects and read our success stories.

Report details how Australia can make net zero happen

Extreme long shot of Heron Island research station, showing a boat moored off a long jetty in the Great Barrier Reef.

Australia needs to speed up and broaden its decarbonisation efforts to achieve net zero by 2050, according to the final report of the Net Zero Australia project.

Queensland Decarbonisation Forum

3 wind turbines spin on a grassy hillside with green trees in the background.

Read the policy brief developed out of the forum between universities, Government and industries, which addresses the key challenges and opportunities in meeting Queensland's climate targets.

Mapping risk for critical metals

Close up of a pile of blue-gold copper ore rocks.

The Complex Orebodies program commenced to create a risk matrix for the mining industry to overcome in order to unlock copper reserves. Findings will help to enable a clean transition to a low carbon future.