ARENA funds projects that advance renewable energy technologies along the innovation chain, from the early research stage in the lab to the later demonstration stage in the field.
We accelerate ideas so that renewable energy technologies and supporting systems can more quickly become affordable and more reliable. We take a portfolio approach, and have a diverse investment profile.
Current funding
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Demand response - competitive round (open)
ARENA and AEMO are calling for applications for our demand response competitive funding round.
Applications are due by 5pm on 10 July 2017
ARENA and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) are piloting a demand response initiative in the National Electricity Market.
This three-year pilot program is intended to drive innovation in demand response to manage extreme peak demand and respond to grid emergencies.
The initiative will initially provide at least 100 megawatts of reserve capacity which can be called upon if operating reserves reach critically low levels.
ARENA will provide grant funding to support technological enablement costs associated with demand response projects.
If demand response is called upon, AEMO will pay for usage under their short notice Reliability and Emergency Reserve Trader (RERT) scheme.
The initiative will be open to a wide range of demand response approaches by aggregators, retailers, networks and large energy users.
We are looking to trial a range of technologies and approaches including industrial processes, batteries, distributed generation, controllable loads and smart applicants (such as pool pumps and thermostats).
The funding announcement and funding agreement documents will be released on Thursday 8 June 2017.
The funding round will be open for applications from Thursday 8 June 2017 until 5pm Monday 10 July 2017.
For all queries relating to this round, please contact demandresponse@arena.gov.au
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Solar PV Research & Development - round 3
This $20 million funding round aims to reduce the future cost of solar PV deployment through research and development.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the third competitive funding round under ARENA’s Research & Development Program will be open from May 24 2017. The submission deadline for EOIs is 5pm on June 21 2017.
Information sessions will be held in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney in early June.
Full details are available via the links below >>
Further information on the R&D round 3 program or find out more about our Research & Development program.
Download Funding guidelines (2MB PDF)
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More about our funding
ARENA invites applicants for investment through our funding programs.
We base our decisions on which projects to support according to our funding priorities.
If you are interested in seeking funding, please read more on how to apply.