Australia seeks to export SolarGen technology to India

Hyderabad: Australia is exploring the opportunities of exporting SolarGen technology which it feels has potential applications in Indian industry. Some of the sectors identified are petrochemicals, fertilisers and transportation.

Developed by Australian scientists the technology can provide a sustainable and cost effective alternative for the production of hydrogen, which in turn will help these industries, says Jim Hinkley, of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

In India recently, Hinkley told Business Line that, “There is a particularly strong potential to roll out the technology in Gujarat and Rajasthan because both states have excellent solar resources and natural gas infrastructure, as well as being major industrial users of hydrogen”.

The technology facilitates concentrating the sun's rays to drive a reaction between water and natural gas which stores solar energy in the form of chemical bonds. The resulting fuel has a higher energy yield than natural gas. The SolarGas can then be used to produce high-efficiency electricity in a gas engine or turbine, he explained.

According to CSIRO by using Sun’s rays for heat, in combination with new catalysts, SolarGas uses upto 50 per cent less fossil fuel and higher percentage of water as well.

A study has also found that the technology developed by the CSIRO could help India’s efforts towards achieving energy security. Some of the benefits include improved energy and food security by reducing natural gas consumption; new jobs created through local manufacturing and operation of the technology; the potential to produce solar liquid fuels for transport.

The study was funded by the Australian Government and undertaken by CSIRO in collaboration with the Solar Energy Corporation of India. It has also developed a concept design for a pilot scale SolarGas facility and identified numerous potential host sites suitable for such a pilot project.

Energy and energy security are critical issues for Australia and India, and we have much to offer each other by sharing our renewable technology expertise and technology, said Australia’s High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling while launching the study recently.

India-Australia free trade pact can deepen ties

Chennai: Australia is eager to negotiate a comprehensive economic partnership (essentially a free trade agreement) to intensify and diversify the trade partnership with India, said Patrick Suckling, Australian High Commissioner. There is strong political commitment on this and four rounds of negotiations have been held, said Suckling, addressing the 23rd annual day of the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce in the city.

Goods tariffs have already been exchanged and services tariffs will be discussed soon, he said. A fifth round of negotiations will be held in May in Australia. Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at $22 billion and has the potential to double in a few years. Last year, India invested $11 billion in Australia. Indian exports to Australia doubled to $3 billion, in the last few years.

“Economic relations will be the bedrock of the relationship growing forward,” said Suckling. Four top Australian banks, infrastructure, education, agri- business and biotech companies from Australia are in India. Indian interest in Australia encompasses aircraft technology, medical, IT and education, he said.

Trade agenda
The G20 forum of which both India and Australia are members is looking to promote a quick economic recovery. “We are working closely with India on a sustainable global growth and trade agenda.” The high commissioner said security cooperation, especially maritime security, will also be deepened between the two countries.

Australia is committed to negotiating safeguards with India to sell uranium, which is currently not exported as India is not a signatory to the non-proliferation treaty, said Suckling.

Safeguarding Indians
People to people relations are also growing, said Suckling. Around 450,000 people of Indian origin are in Australia. Indians are the fastest growing migrant group. Indians also comprise the second largest student population, after Chinese students. (In 2012, there were 55,000 Indian students in Australia).