Connecting industry, government and research for a faster energy transition
By partnering with Deakin Energy Networks, government and industry can access the University’s existing assets and talent base, and engage with research, training and commercialisation experts. Together, we build our capacity and capability to resolve technical, economic and social barriers in driving clean energy solutions. By establishing an agile and multi-disciplined network, we are enabling impactful research, training and commercialisation in each capability area.
Our research pillars
Global economic and social prosperity is critically dependent on sourcing a just and rapid energy transition. Deakin Energy Networks is committed to finding solutions to a clean energy future by working with key partners.
Download the Deakin Energy Networks Prospectus 2023 (PDF, 5.8MB)
Workforce development
Deakin is developing multiple pathways through stackable short courses, professional development and micro-credentialing for accreditation (PDF, 300KB). By combining continued excellence in teaching in partnership with other training providers, Deakin seeks to become a leading provider of energy related talent.
Energy systems and data
Deakin has great strengths in engineering, information technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and has capability in virtual reality and the internet of things. The Faculty of Business and Law also has experience and exposure in the human experience of technology adoption.
The human element
Technologies once considered alternative have become common place and are also cheaper and more accessible for a range of energy users. Deakin provides insights, pathways and solutions to planning, social licencing, heritage assessments, behaviour change, consumer perceptions, cluster development, and business and community benefit models for energy stakeholders.
Manufacturing and technology
Australia is potentially on the cusp of a reinvigoration of the manufacturing sector in the supply of cheap renewable energy combined with storage, access to alternative fuels (e.g. hydrogen), and advances in robotics, AI and machine learning. Through the Institute of Frontier Materials, ManuFutures and REACH, Deakin has much to offer in terms of materials development and the enablement of the circular economy.
Work or partner with Deakin Energy Networks
Deakin University has an impressive history of successful partnerships in research and development. Tap into Deakin’s combined capabilities from across our faculties, research institutes and centres.
Deakin has many strengths in the energy sector, ranging from living laboratories, world-leading research capabilities across multiple institutes, teaching excellence across various faculties and schools, and exciting programs to support industry and research collaboration.
Alfred Deakin Professor Maria Forsyth
Chair of Deakin Energy Networks
Our industry leading experts
Deakin Energy Networks is supported by world-leading researchers in your industry. Partner with us to collaborate with researchers who are at the forefront of energy research, innovation and education.
Professor Maria Forsyth
Alfred Deakin Professor Maria Forsyth is a world leader in energy storage and sustainable infrastructure – with 30-plus years’ experience in partnering with leading organisations. Professor Forsyth is a Fellow at the Australian Academy of Sciences, Director of ARC Industrial Training Centre for Future Energy Storage Technologies, Deputy Director of the Institute for Frontier Materials and Associate Director of ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science.
Peter Hansford, Director
Peter Hansford is Director of Deakin Energy Networks and has 20 years’ experience in the food and agribusiness, and 12 in the cleantech and renewable industry. He has business development experience across Asia and sustainable industry development experience across regional Australia. Peter has worked as a journalist, trade commissioner and industry advocate. He is an expert in maximising exposure of local technologies and regional development opportunities.
Associate Professor Robert Kerr
Associate Professor Robert Kerr has more than a decade of experience in electrochemical energy technologies, for both industry and academia. Professor Kerr has developed new technologies for hydrogen fuel cells, electrolysers and advanced batteries; leading industry projects in battery materials and cell prototyping at Australia’s premier battery prototyping facility, Deakin’s Battery Research and Innovation Hub.
Associate Professor Joshua Newton
Associate Professor Joshua Newton is a nationally regarded authority on consumer perceptions of renewable energy technologies, including distributed energy resources and green hydrogen. He is the Associate Dean of Research for Deakin’s Faculty of Business and Law and co-founder of the Better Consumption Lab. He has supported industry partners such as Mondo Energy, AusNet Services and Australian Energy Market Operator.
Professor Russell Tytler
Professor Russell Tytler leads a very successful STEM education research group and serves on a science expert group for the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment. Professor Tytler is chief investigator on multiple ARC projects and author of several influential reports on STEM education.
Professor Mohamed Abdelrazek
Professor Mohamed Abdelrazek has 24 years’ experience partnering with leading organisations. He leads Australia’s largest research team in systems modelling and simulation and conducts globally leading research in intelligent systems, providing the world’s first haptically enabled robotic VR system. He was Australian Space Researcher of the Year 2021.
Our joint call for a national climate education strategy
A coalition of organisations across a range of sectors, including universities, industry and environmental advocacy, have issued a joint call for a national Climate Education Strategy to ensure that Australia can meet its emissions reduction and energy transition targets.
Our energy research infrastructure
Nationally significant initiatives like the Battery Research and Innovation Hub and Hycel in conjunction with microgrids can provide industry with greater control over their energy future. Explore our research institutes, facilities and initiatives.
Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute
Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A2I2) explores new frontiers in AI and implements safe and effective AI solutions to improve people's lives around the world.
Battery Research and Innovation Hub
An innovative research centre focused on advanced battery prototyping and commercialisation.
Hycel
One of Australia’s first facilities equipped to manufacture new hydrogen technologies, Hycel is translating research and development into clean energy and transport innovation.
Institute for Frontier Materials
Home to the world's most advanced carbon fibre and composite research facility, IFM is pioneering a new generation of 'green' materials with extraordinary functionality.
Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation
Australia's largest systems modelling and simulation research team provides solutions and commercial-ready products for aerospace, rail, automotive, defence, security and health.
ManuFutures
Australia’s unique advanced manufacturing innovation hub that helps businesses to accelerate success through its unique facilities, programs and services.
Microgrid
We partnered with AusNet Services and Mondo Power to establish a microgrid on our Waurn Ponds Campus, where we perform solar energy and battery storage research.
Contact us
Deakin is the go-to university to enable energy transition. If your organisation has a problem to solve or if you see opportunities for your business within the renewable energy field, we’d like to hear from you.