U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister of Climate Change and Energy, have signed the Australia – United States Net-Zero Technology Acceleration Partnership at the Sydney Energy Forum on July 12. The collaboration will aid the development and implementation of zero emissions technology. The two countries will also cooperate on key mineral supply chains to bring down greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously boosting the economy.
“The Australia-U.S. Net-Zero Technology Acceleration Partnership reflects our nations’ joint commitment to grow our energy capacity and obtain the full advantages of affordable, diverse and secure clean energy,” Granholm said. “With today’s partnership, our two countries will work together to unlock critical advances in long-duration storage, grid integration, clean hydrogen, direct air capture, and critical minerals and materials.”
Cutting emissions while supporting economic growth is a challenge that requires global efforts and cooperation, especially in the context of the current threats to energy security and the energy markets, the U.S. The Department of Energy said in a statement released following the singing of the partnership. The partnership reinforces the two countries’ commitment to achieving 2030 targets and reaching net zero by 2050, the statement also read.
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The partnership will include industry, research and private sector to bring forward the opportunities for investment, trade and development in low and zero emissions tech between Australia and the U.S. Among the first areas identified for cooperation are the development of long duration energy storage technology, electricity grids and technology for the integration of variable renewable energy, hydrogen, CO2 removal and direct air capture.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed at the forum on July 12 between the Commonwealth Scientific, Research, and Industry Organization (CSIRO) and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
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