Silver Sponsor CEFC: Unlocking Clean Energy Technology

Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is supporting the Advancing Net Zero Mining WA Conference 2023 as a Silver Sponsor.

CEFC invests as Australia’s ‘green bank’ to help achieve net zero emissions by 2050. They work across the economy to capture benefits of the net zero transition and contribute in areas of renewable energy generation and transmission to energy efficiency, cleantech innovation and more.

Robert Wilson , CEFC Executive Director – WA and Resources, will join a panel discussion on 29 August to discuss ‘Financial Levers to Activate Net Zero Projects’.

As Executive Director, Robert works to accelerate the development of clean energy investment opportunities in Western Australia and nationally in the resource sector. His experience spans the investment cycle in the renewables, infrastructure, and resources sectors having held various leadership positions in investment banking and resources.

Ahead of the conference later this month, we had the opportunity to interview Robert to gain insight into CEFC’s position in the clean tech space, what trends are emerging, current technology solutions and innovations, biggest challenges and opportunities for clean energy projects in mining, and how CEFC is supporting the industry in this transition.

Robert responds to the following five questions.

1. What trends are you seeing in the clean tech space that mining and processing companies should be following?

There is a shift underway in the mining and related processing industries, which are beginning to embrace the move towards electrification, energy efficiency and low emission technologies. It appears that there is already pent-up demand for green solutions, and it is often product supply that is slowing down adoption, particularly in low emission vehicles.

A range of low risk technologies exist now - and can be implemented in the immediate short term to accelerate the decarbonisation of mining operations. Decarbonising stationary energy on mine sites is also important for immediate emissions reduction potential and for its capacity to unlock future reductions – so that means exploring the incorporation of a range of renewable generation technologies like solar PV, wind generation and concentrated solar thermal for onsite electricity generation.

Lithium-ion batteries are also versatile options for short term storage application, while vanadium flow batteries are starting to gain traction for longer term storage solutions.

2. What are the most exciting opportunities or technology solutions you are seeing at the moment?

New remote off-grid mines are being designed with very high renewable penetration - we are seeing up to 90% RE fraction. This is requiring a change to the way miners think about their operations and their plant equipment and design.

Transport is a key focus.?We are hearing exciting news on rail technologies, mine haulage and on road too, like our investment into Ark Energy’s green hydrogen 1MW electrolyser that will enable the Sun Metals zinc refinery to become the first in the world to produce zinc, supported by purpose-built, zero emissions ultra-heavy duty Hyzon hydrogen trucks.

There is also the CEFC investment into 3ME Technology to help scale their powerful, energy dense Li-ion battery systems that replace diesel-powered engines in mining and defence vehicles with battery electric systems, cutting emissions and creating safer and more efficient mining operations.

Oversized solar installations and well-located wind generation can deliver low cost, zero-emissions electricity and charge batteries for night-time energy consumption. Bioenergy technologies, including biogas and biodiesel are also emerging opportunities for mine site energy generation. Paired with energy storage, renewable generation can provide dispatchable power to match the energy demand profile of a mine.

Connecting with or building network connections with neighbouring grids and generation assets where possible (depending on site geography) also allows for the sharing of costs and technology diversification and reducing outage risks.

Improving production processes are increasing use of energy sources like green hydrogen and green ammonia – which is allowing these newer applications in the mining sector to gain momentum.

3. What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for financing clean energy projects in mining?

Zero-carbon or net zero mining is becoming the expected goal for both investors and industrial consumers as the business case continues to improve. The demand for low emissions energy materials and the decarbonisation of the mining sector represents the greatest opportunity to diversify and grow Australia’s resources sector in a generation.

The two main sectors where decarbonisation can be most readily addressed in mining – material movement and in-mine operations such as drilling, blasting, excavation, loading, dewatering and ventilation, can be decarbonised using similar technology types but face different sets of challenges.

The main challenge initially, however, is implementation. Moving from intent to action is complex and requires the development and execution of a carefully thought-out transformation strategy, and key is a willingness to accept change and learn. This requires strong and clear leadership.

Mining companies can develop asset-level decarbonisation roadmaps and implementation plans to meet decarbonisation goals. Decarbonisation pathways create optionality to cope with technological uncertainty and a changing commercial and regulatory landscape.

4. How is CEFC supporting industry to unlock clean energy innovation?

Decarbonisation provides a significant opportunity for miners to become best-in-class, not only broadening investor appeal, but also modernising and making their operations resilient to future changes and demands from the industry. The CEFC is working with miners and co-investors to accelerate improvements in operational emissions, and makes investment commitments across the sector – in renewable energy, energy efficiency, material movement and fuel switching to find low-cost energy solutions to help transition towards net zero emissions.

Australia’s abundance of critical minerals, and their importance in the low emissions economy of the future, also offers substantial investment opportunities as these minerals are critical to the clean energy supply chain. The CEFC is active in the critical minerals space.

Access to capital and the mitigation of risks associated with corporate social responsibility and carbon liability are among the opportunities that decarbonisation can provide as additional benefits to healthier mine sites, lower carbon footprints and greater efficiency.

5. What does CEFC look for in its mining investments and how can mining companies effectively position themselves for the clean energy transition?

The CEFC can directly fund eligible low emission or critical mineral resources project development companies. We also look to support the development and commercialisation of viable Australian technology solutions that can drive meaningful emissions reduction outcomes for mining operations and the mining industry. Companies that have the potential to attract additional external funding in the METS (Mining Equipment and Technology Sector) for example, will have a competitive advantage to potentially drive decarbonisation broadly throughout the industry.

Advancing Net Zero Mining WA Conference 2023

The Advancing Net Zero Mining WA Conference takes place on August 29 and 30 in Perth, Western Australia.

To learn more about how to activate your clean energy projects, don’t miss the panel session covering Financial Levers to Activate Net Zero Projects on 29 August.