EV charging and industrial solar thermal among ATC17 semi-finalists

Leading clean tech innovators have again populated the ranks of semi-finalists for this year’s Australian Technologies Competition, including a NSW electric vehicle charging outfit, a Victorian solar thermal solutions company, and a NSW energy monitoring specialist.

The Australian Technologies Competition said on Tuesday that it had shortlisted 32 of Australia’s “most exciting” technology companies for the ATC17 Business Accelerator, with winners to be announced in October and November.

Now in its seventh year, the ATC finds, mentors and develops some of Australia’s top technology companies – particularly those believed to have the greatest global potential.

Last year’s semi-finalists included technologies ranging from industrial solar hot water systems, to vertical axis wind turbines and water cremation services.

WA-based renewable energy microgrid specialists, Energy Made Clean, was also a semi-finalist in 2016, just months before being bought up by fellow WA renewable energy success story, Carnegie Wave Energy.

The winner of the 2016 energy technology category was Melbourne-based internet of things outfit, GreenSync.

This year’s contenders include New South Wales based ELMOFO, which provides a mains and/or solar supplied DC fast charging station with battery storage for fast charging of electric vehicles in remote and fringe of grid locations, and for businesses with a high-usage EV fleet.

Another NSW-based semi-finalist, Simble, makes an energy monitoring solution that supports real-time communication and analytics with an ecosystem of IoT devices including smart sensors, tags, plugs and meters.

And Victorian company, GreenLand Systems, is also in the running, with its range of solar thermal solutions designed to replace the use of natural gas and provide a viable renewable solution for process heat in Australia’s commercial and industrial sectors.

As in past years of the competition, this year’s judging panel features leading experts in commercialisation, finance, intellectual property and technology development, and will pick winners with a focus on building global success stories.

This year’s 122 entries have jointly spent $94 million to date developing their technologies and have over 400 employees. Whilst many of the Semi Finalists are already selling solutions, they are jointly seeking an additional $45m to bring all the solutions to market.

“This year we have again partnered with the federal government’s Industry Growth Centres to identify and work with technologies from the government’s priority sectors,” said ATC organiser John O’Brien.

“The semi finalists will have unmatched profiling opportunities with industry and investors that will help them get to market and realise their potential in Australia and globally.”

Other supporters and partners on the 2017 program include Climate-KIC Australia, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and industry associations including AustMine, AusBiotech, AMTIL and the Facilities Management Association. In addition, export opportunities are provided through the support of the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council.

Winners will be announced at Technology Showcases in Melbourne and Sydney in October and November.