The University of Queensland (UQ) and The University of Tokyo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their 25-year research partnership, broadening its scope towards Queensland’s renewable energy industries, particularly hydrogen and biofuel.
The expanded MOU signed on Friday will initially focus on collaboration between the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) and the UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
The collaboration is projected to lead to larger-scale research, demonstration, and social implementation projects.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said Queensland is transitioning to a new power super grid with 80% renewable energy by 2035.
“To reach this target, the Palaszczuk Government’s budget includes a $19 billion capital investment over the next four years to deliver the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan,” Treasurer Dick stated.
“This important research partnership provides invaluable support to reach our renewable energy goals. Expanding the scope of the MOU to bioengineering and nanotechnology will further advance the state’s capabilities to process new sustainable fuel sources,” he added.
According to UQ’s Principal Research Fellow Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology Associate Professor Esteban Marcellin Saldana, as Queensland accelerates its transition to a low-carbon economy, identifying and using alternative energy sources is critical.
“At the AIBN, our activity exploring the role of synthetic biology in advancing the biomanufacturing sector is just one of the many areas in which we look forward to collaborating with RCAST,” Associate Professor Saldana said.
Professor Masakazu Sugiyama, who has significantly contributed to developing Queensland’s hydrogen sector, leads RCAST.
Treasurer Dick designated Dr Sugiyama as Queensland’s hydrogen envoy to Japan in 2019 when he was serving as State Development Minister at the time.
“Japan and Queensland have much to offer each other as it relates to our shared renewable energy future and we are working daily to identify opportunities for ongoing investment and information exchange,” Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioner for Japan Tak Adachi said.
The MOU was signed during Treasurer Dick’s trade mission to Japan.
