Energy

The Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) was established to promote the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy and enabling technologies and improve their competitiveness in Australia.

ACRE has three components:

• an independent, statutory advisory board—the ACRE Board
• a statutory Chief Executive Officer—an ex-officio member of the ACRE Board
• staff of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism

The three components function together to deliver programs, advice and strategic direction for the Government on renewable energy technology development.

ACRE's key objectives are:

• developing and implementing a funding strategy capable of supporting projects along the innovation chain
• encouraging additional investments—including investments from the private sector and state and territory governments
• managing the cost effective delivery of government-funded renewable energy and enabling technology programs
• providing support and advice to governments, industry and the community on renewable energy and enabling technologies, strategies and related issues when requested
• fostering collaboration between governments, industry and the research community on renewable energy projects
• supporting growth in skills and capacity in renewable technologies for the domestic and international markets.

A continuing priority for ACRE is the implementation of the ACRE Board's Strategic Directions. These directions provide a framework to direct ACRE's activities to deliver on objectives.

Timeline

ACRE commenced in October 2009. As part of the Government's Clean Energy Future package ACRE, along with a range of other existing renewable energy measures, will be incorporated into the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). ARENA is scheduled to commence operations on 1 July 2012.

Grants and funding

ACRE currently manages over $690 million of funding committed to support renewable energy and enabling technology development.

ACRE support for renewable energy technologies to develop Australia's substantial potential renewable energy resources is provided through the following programs:

• Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies Program
• Emerging Renewables Program
• Geothermal Drilling Program
• Renewable Energy Demonstration Program
• Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund
• Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program
• Solar Projects
• Wind Energy Forecasting Capability Program

ACRE funding will also be used to support the implementation of the James Cook University High Energy Algal Fuels Project and the Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program.

Related documents

• Australian Centre for Renewable Energy Act 2010 [PDF 104KB]
  Sets out the scope and governance arrangement for the ACRE Board.
• The ACRE Board Annual Report 2010-11 [PDF 638KB] | [RTF 159KB]
  Provides an overview of ACRE's activities during 2010 and 2011.
• The ACRE Board Annual Report 2009–10 [PDF 945KB]
  Provides an overview of ACRE's activities since October 2009 and identifies future challenges.
• Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Fact Sheet [PDF 76KB]
  A range of renewable energy programs and initiatives currently managed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, ACRE and the ASI will become part of the new Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

More information

For more information about ACRE, email acre@ret.gov.au.