NERA has committed $227,500 to assist Australian energy innovators fast track tech and deploy solutions to combat COVID-19. An interactive videogame that teaches children about the importance of hygiene, revolutionary 3D copper coating with bacteria-resistant properties, and a sophisticated geospatial alert system to prevent future viral outbreaks from spreading are among ten new projects backed by NERA (National Energy Resources Australia) that will fast track technology solutions to manage and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.
The ten projects will share in $227,500 worth of NERA funding as part of a national campaign to assist energy innovators pivot at speed and adapt businesses and technologies usually designed for the energy resources sector into innovative ways that can help households and businesses recover from the pandemic and limit future outbreaks.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews applauded the initiative by NERA to help innovators to adapt and pivot from businesses and technologies usually designed for the energy resources sector.
“This is a great example of how responsive and adaptable Australian industries are in developing innovative, forward thinking solutions to combat COVID-19,” Minister Andrews said.“These projects aim to not only help Australian households and businesses recover from the pandemic, but also limit future outbreaks.
”NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said innovation and adaptability have long been hallmarks of Australia’s innovation culture, and this latest support initiative will assist more energy sector supply companies leverage their world-class skills in data analysis, remote infrastructure management and communications into practical ways that support Australian communities whilst helping those businesses retain their workforces and potentially export their new solutions internationally.
“NERA’s mission has and continues to be ‘creating connections for growth’. Now more than ever this commitment to championing our sector to collaborate and come together remains vitally important. In the midst of widespread business disruptions and uncertainty, we’re working to help our sector do what it does best and innovate at speed to help support the wider community as we navigate these challenging times,” Ms Taylor said.
The successful projects were chosen after a national EOI campaign was announced in March 2020 by NERA — the country’s Industry Growth Centre for energy resources. With funding support already fast tracked to each company, these ten Australian innovators are already rapidly deploying their technologies across the country.
Airscope are enhancing the network capabilities of their digital twin web based application to perform in low/no internet environments so that workers can digitally access remote sites and collaborate on projects from home.
Biarri have repurposed their Workbench 5 data analytics platform to enable tailored data visualisation insights that allows companies to visualise workforce risks and potential impacts of COVID-19 on their business and then plan accordingly.
Chironix have dramatically improved communication across remote teams by directly integrating audio-visual hardware (e.g. Google Glass) with video conferencing platforms to allow users to engage with colleagues and experts whilst continuing to interact hands-free with their environment.
iSOL8 has upgraded its area departure alert system to assist in the quarantine of high-risk COVID-19 individuals, enabling a rapid and targeted response by authorities and easing the strain on policing and border control resources.
J.E.S.I. are extending their journey management software to include a ‘Working from Home’ module that enables organisations to manage remote workforce locations and ensure employees are safe no matter where they are.
MyPass are expanding the functionality of their award-winning digital work passport to include critical COVID-19 eLearning training, self-declarations, test results and immunisation records to protect critical workers and offer real-time visibility for companies.O2 Metocean (WA): WaveWatcher Buoy manufactured locallyO2 Metocean are adapting to significant international supply chain disruptions by locally developing and manufacturing the first Australian-made waves measurement buoy (WaveWatcher), supporting and enhancing the capabilities of Australia’s manufacturing in the oceanographic industry.
Sentient have utilised their industry-leading skills in VR training, 3D visualisation, process control and automation to create Social Distance Dash — a free browser-based videogame that teaches children the importance of hygiene to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SPEE3D have modified their world-leading 3D printing technology to deliver a fast and affordable way to 3D print anti-microbial copper onto metal surfaces that ‘contact kills’ 96% of the virus that causes COVID-19 in just two hours.
Universal Site Monitoring are customising their industrial ‘Personal Safety Monitoring System’ to remotely real-time monitor Australia’s emergency response crews, front line responders and quarantined individuals or groups to help minimise the spread of COVID-19.
For more information on the ways NERA is helping our sector respond to the challenges of COVID-19, visit nera.org.au/COVID-19-hub.
.jpg)