The Queensland Earth Observation Hub (QLD EO Hub) convened a workshop in Brisbane that served as a significant step in harnessing the potential of Earth Observation (EO) technologies, data, and workflows for the benefit of Australia.

The initial findings from a comprehensive market engagement study were presented. This study spanned a diverse range of EO and industry sectors and aimed to illuminate both the challenges and opportunities that Queensland, and by extension, the broader Australian landscape, faces in embracing EO technologies not only in the present but also in the foreseeable future.

This market study embarked on an extensive consultation process, engaging with stakeholders across urban and rural Queensland. It encompassed the entire spectrum of the EO ecosystem, from data and service providers to end-users, as well as those contemplating the utilisation of EO in the years ahead.

The core objective was to gain profound insights into the current capabilities, hurdles, and potential avenues for growth within Queensland’s EO community. Additionally, it sought to cultivate a vision of what the future could hold in terms of EO technology deployment.

The preliminary findings of this study were shared with workshop participants, fostering constructive discussions, and eliciting valuable feedback. Notably, these findings unveiled several significant opportunities that Australia can capitalize on over the next 2-5 years:

1. Collaboration and Alignment: A key opportunity identified is the enhancement of collaboration and alignment among research institutions, industries, and government entities. This entails improving communication to raise awareness of shared needs and capabilities while also facilitating the transfer of skills and knowledge between these sectors. Such collaboration can foster innovation and synergy.
2. Commercialisation of Research: The commercialisation of research emerged as another promising avenue. By facilitating partnerships between research organisations and industries, pathways for the practical application of research outcomes can be forged. This approach can bridge the gap between academic research and real-world industry needs.
3. Building Capacity for Global Markets: Queensland can further promote its capabilities in EO technologies and services, connecting local industries to national and international markets. This entails not only showcasing Queensland’s strengths but also attracting investments that can fuel the growth of this sector, contributing to the nation’s economic prosperity.
4. Workforce Development: Facilitating access to new and in-demand skills and knowledge transfer is vital for nurturing a skilled workforce in the EO sector. Promoting careers in Earth Observation can bolster the human capital needed to support the sector’s growth and innovation.

The insights garnered from this study and the associated workshop will serve as the foundation for crafting a strategic roadmap. This roadmap will guide the Queensland EO Hub in its role of unlocking the future potential of the downstream EO sector, not just for Queensland but for Australia as a whole. Anticipated in the coming months is the release of the full report by SmartSat, which will provide a comprehensive overview of the study’s findings and recommendations.

In a parallel effort to advance the field of Earth Observation, a symposium titled “Advances in Earth Observation: Hyperspectral Data Analysis” was recently hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast with support from the QLD EO Hub and SmartSat. The symposium aimed to showcase the strides made in remote sensing technology through lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and training sessions. This educational event empowered participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively work with spatial data using remote sensing tools, with applications spanning various domains.

The Chief Executive Officer of SmartSat delved into SmartSat’s activities in the realm of water quality, shedding light on initiatives like the AquaWatch mission. Additionally, he provided insights into the upcoming Kanyini mission, which promises to leverage Hyperspectral Imager technology coupled with Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things connectivity. These cutting-edge advancements have the potential to revolutionise how we monitor and manage water quality, offering significant benefits to both Queensland and Australia as a whole.

Attendees had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with tools such as R and ENVI for hyperspectral image analysis, equipping them with practical skills that can be applied to real-world challenges. This knowledge dissemination is vital for bolstering Australia’s technological capabilities in the EO domain.

A comprehensive overview of SmartSat CRC’s Maya Nula program was also presented. This program aims to develop continent-wide crop and yield monitoring capabilities, a critical aspect of agricultural management. By harnessing EO technologies and data, this initiative holds the potential to revolutionize agriculture in Australia, enhancing productivity and sustainability.

Special acknowledgements were extended to Associate Professor Sanjeev Srivastava from the University of South Australia and Dr. Prashant Kumar Srivastava from Banaras Hindu University, India, for their valuable contributions and leadership during the event. Dr. Srivastava’s attendance was supported through the SmartSat Visiting Fellowship scheme, exemplifying the commitment to international collaboration and knowledge exchange.

OpenGov Asia earlier reported that SmartSat, in conjunction with the ACT Government, unveiled a suite of research and development (R&D) projects, signalling a profound commitment to advancing space technology and capabilities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

This collaboration has seen their joint investment in the ACT’s space endeavours soar past a significant milestone, reaching over AU$7 million. The announcement coincides with the launch of the ACT Space Update 2023, highlighting the organisation’s dedication to contributing to the region’s growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge space research.

Two years after the inauguration of Murdoch University’s clear solar glass greenhouse, the facility has managed to offset nearly 40 percent of its energy consumption. The advanced structure, built in collaboration with an Australian renewable energy semiconductor manufacturing firm, utilised three distinct variants of transparent solar photovoltaic glazing panels to maximise solar energy utilisation.

The findings of a two-year research project, co-authored by Adjunct Associate Lecturer David Goodfield from Murdoch University, indicate that the greenhouse consistently generated energy while significantly reducing facility energy expenses and consumption.

This achievement was made possible by incorporating fluorescent particles into the clear glass solution, which were designed to disperse solar energy towards strategically positioned solar cells. This allowed the capture of solar energy even when the sun was not directly shining on the glass.

The insights gained from this study are poised to contribute to the advancement of solar energy utilization, aligning with Murdoch University’s strategic goal of establishing itself as a renowned centre for sustainability excellence. Dr. Martin Brueckner, the Pro Vice Chancellor of Sustainability at Murdoch University, emphasised that the greenhouse played a crucial role in the university’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. He also pointed out that the greenhouse showcased the potential of innovative materials to enhance the environmental performance of buildings and structures.

Dr. Brueckner underscored the importance of technology, alongside behavioural changes, in the pursuit of future sustainability, acknowledging that it is a pivotal aspect of their sustainability journey. He expressed excitement, particularly in the realm of materials, about the future possibilities and applications in this field.

In 2021, OpenGov Asia reported on this development at Murdoch University. The initiative focused on the installation of transparent solar photovoltaic integrated glass units (IGUs) at the grains research precinct on the university’s campus.

At the time of reporting, OpenGov Asia noted that the greenhouse at Murdoch University used cutting-edge transparent solar glass technology, developed by the company, with the dual purpose of maintaining glass transparency and generating electricity.

This technology was designed to deliver a minimum of 30 watts per square meter while retaining 70% transparency. Each IGU featured solar PV cells positioned around its edges and incorporated advanced components, including a nanoparticle interlayer and a spectral-selective coating on the rear external surface. These components allowed most visible light to pass through while redirecting infrared and UV light to the edges of the IGU, where it could be harnessed by the solar cells.

The CEO of the solar glass developer had expressed optimism about the project’s potential to raise awareness of their building-integrated PV (BIPV) technology. They noted strong global interest from greenhouse suppliers, growers, and other users involved in protected cropping. The completion of the greenhouse’s construction, adjacent to existing research greenhouses, marked a significant milestone for the company.

The greenhouse project had several noteworthy features. First, it was the first commercial-scale demonstration of the company’s PV IGU technology in a protected-cropping agriculture setting. Second, it promised improved temperature control compared to traditional greenhouses, with a narrower temperature range of +/-2° from the optimum, potentially leading to increased plant growth rates of up to 20-30%.

Furthermore, this project had broader implications beyond agriculture. The CEO indicated that it could pave the way for the commercial application of the technology in high-rise commercial buildings, demonstrating the versatility and potential impact of BIPV technology.

Murdoch University’s collaboration with the solar glass developer showcased the integration of advanced solar glass technology into the agricultural research setting, with the greenhouse project poised to contribute to greater market awareness of BIPV technology. This endeavour aligns with Murdoch University’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, as highlighted in the previous information about the university’s clear solar glass greenhouse and sustainability goals.

The University of Adelaide, in collaboration with several esteemed institutions globally, is poised to play a pivotal role in the establishment of the ground-breaking Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Centre. This venture is dedicated to the refinement and scaling-up of hydrogen production techniques, recognised as a cornerstone in the pursuit of net-zero emissions objectives.

Within its scope, the HyPT Centre delves into three innovative technologies: renewable energy-integrated water electrolysis, methane pyrolysis with the production of valuable solid carbon co-products, and solar-driven water splitting.

Australia’s participation in this international initiative is orchestrated through the joint efforts of the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and Curtin University. Together with research partners from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Egypt, and Germany, they aim to pave the way for large-scale net-zero hydrogen production methodologies.

Heading this mission is Professor Anton Middelberg, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of Adelaide. Expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, he affirmed that the University of Adelaide expresses its enthusiasm for collaborating with CSIRO and other partners in driving forward the commercialisation of transformative hydrogen production technology. Their world-class researchers are dedicated to working together to discover solutions that can contribute to the development of a more sustainable future for society.

University of Adelaide distinguished faculty member in the School of Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences at the University of Adelaide, has been entrusted with leading Australia’s research contributions to the HyPT Centre. He emphasised the vital role of large-scale hydrogen production with net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, underlining its significance in achieving the climate targets outlined in the Paris Agreement and mitigating global warming.

Professor Metha will spearhead the research on photocatalysis within the new centre, focusing on innovative methods that can drive the production of net-zero hydrogen. He notes that while net-zero hydrogen holds immense potential for decarbonizing numerous energy-intensive industries, its current cost is considerably higher than hydrogen derived from fossil fuels, a hurdle that necessitates overcoming.

The HyPT Centre aims to create an international consortium consisting of 34 experts from 19 institutions across six countries. Together, they will work towards devising a cost-effective blueprint for large-scale net-zero hydrogen production, leveraging an array of complementary technologies.

In addition to Professor Gus Nathan, Director of the Centre for Energy Technology at the University of Adelaide, other Australian experts will participate in refining methane pyrolysis technology, a key focus area of the HyPT Centre. Professor Nathan highlights the significance of methane pyrolysis in that it yields hydrogen without any carbon emissions, setting it apart from conventional hydrogen production methods. Collaborating with other leading experts, their shared objective is to pioneer cost-effective and large-scale net-zero hydrogen production.

Arizona State University (ASU) spearheads the HyPT initiative, with funding support from prominent organizations including the US National Science Foundation (NSF), Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The establishment of the Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Centre represents a significant leap forward in the pursuit of sustainable and environmentally responsible hydrogen production. This international collaborative effort, involving esteemed institutions from diverse corners of the globe, underscores the urgency and importance of transitioning to net-zero emissions technologies. As nations strive to meet their climate targets, the research conducted within the HyPT Centre holds the promise of unlocking innovative solutions for clean, cost-effective, and scalable hydrogen production.

The University of Adelaide, along with its Australian counterparts, is well-poised to make substantial contributions to this critical endeavour. With a commitment to advancing technology and research excellence, these institutions are dedicated to shaping a more sustainable future for society. Through their combined expertise and international collaboration, the HyPT Centre endeavours to accelerate the transition to net-zero hydrogen production, providing a vital tool in the global efforts to combat climate change.

Similarly, the Australian government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), pledged AU$20.9 million to support a Wollongong-based startup in scaling their hydrogen electrolyser technology for commercial use, OpenGov Asia previously reported. This initiative aligns with Australia’s commitment to hydrogen innovation. The parallel efforts of the University of Adelaide and ARENA underscore Australia’s dedication to fostering a sustainable energy future through hydrogen technology.