Federal Labor has pledged $2.4 million for two major energy projects at the University of Newcastle if elected.
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Half of the investment would support a three-year project into utility-scale energy storage.
"This project will explore storage technology to deliver up to 10 hours of power to end users if renewable energy supplies become unavailable. It's based on a breakthrough concept by the University of Newcastle's Professor Behdad Moghtaderi," Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said on Friday.
"Industrial scale storage technology will be critical to driving down carbon emissions and slashing power prices by facilitating a much larger percentage of renewables in our electricity networks."
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A further $1.2 million would allow the university to establish an advanced energy integration test-bed facility onsite at the Newcastle Institute of Energy and Resources at the Callaghan campus.
"The project will create a 'living laboratory' for researchers and industry to demonstrate and test new technologies and applications to address challenges facing our electricity network grids," Ms Claydon said.
"Researchers and industry players will have the opportunities to test solutions that will lead to a more resilient, efficient and reliable electricity network with the capacity to incorporate more distributed and renewable energy sources."
Shadow assistant minister for climate change and energy and Shortland MP Pat Conroy said the projects were designed to look at some of the most challenging problems facing the national energy grid and finding ways to get more renewable energy into the system.
"These projects will look at ways to deliver stability to the national electricity grid and support Labor's commitment to deliver 50 per cent renewables by 2030," Mr Conroy said.
"Newcastle has long been at the forefront of research to create smart energy, so it's perfectly placed to do the work and drive the breakthroughs of the future."
University of Newcastle vice-chancellor Alex Zelinsky, said the funding will help provide long-term energy solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy.
"The need to find more reliable and sustainable ways to generate and store energy is vital if we are to meet our social and environmental responsibilities, and our University is committed to being part of that solution," Professor Zelinsky said.
"By advancing knowledge in renewable energy, we can help build new businesses, create new jobs and provide more educational opportunities for our students - demonstrating just what can be achieved when education works closely with industry."
The $2.4 million investment is part of Labor's $300 million University Future Fund.
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
