CLEANTECH PARTNERING PROGRAM

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:06): Thank you, sir. My question is to the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade. Can the minister inform the house about the CleanTech Partnering Program grants?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Small Business) (15:07): I thank the member for Torrens for this question. The government established a $2.15 million CleanTech Partnering Program in 2010 to assist small and medium enterprises commercialise new clean tech ideas and products. The program provides innovation grants of up to $50,000 for proof of concept and commercial viability testing and commercialising grants of up to $100,000. Eight grant funding rounds have been run to date, with a total of $991,000 being awarded to 22 projects.

Success stories include EchoProTem, which used the grant money to complete a prototype for a water pipe leak detection system suitable for remote locations. The prototype system has the ability to transmit data in areas with limited mobile phone reception, and it can also operate on low power derived from a small solar panel. The project is now progressing to customer trials.

Cogen Microsystems Pty Ltd recently completed the design and prototype of a hybrid solar energy system that generates electricity and hot water with a low installation cost. With the assistance of the grant funding, the component testing was undertaken on a new alternator within the system, with results indicating high efficiency. The company now plans to progress to a pre-production prototype for final testing.

The CleanTech Partnering Program assessment panel met in October 2012 to review round 7 applications. The panel subsequently recommended that $50,000 in funding be awarded to Rubitronics Pty Ltd, an Unley Park-based South Australian developer of patented electronic controllers for cooktops, ovens and other appliances that ignite gas. Rubitronics will use the funding to develop and patent a new power controller which converts alternating current (AC) electrical power inputs for low-voltage requirements without the use of a transformer.

This innovation removes the need for heavy copper or iron transformers, significantly reducing the size and weight of the controllers and providing improved durability and performance. I am particularly looking forward to that bit. There are clear industrial benefits in terms of a potential reduction in size and cost of manufacture. The elimination of copper and iron from these products also has environmental benefits in that there is potential for significant material savings for manufacturers and in terms of general resource efficiency. Do you know what that means?

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. T.R. KENYON: I don't think you do. The grant funding will be used to complete product testing, to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and to design and build production equipment. The technology is to be supplied worldwide to global companies through an established agreement with a European distributor. I am pleased to be part of a government that supports and encourages the innovation of South Australian manufacturing companies that are committed to developing our clean technology sector and securing new market opportunities.