• South Australian hydrogen showcased worldwide
• Japanese laser fusion company picks South Australia
• Super fund calls for fairer system to eliminate gender gap
• Three companies to join Tonsley Innovation District
• Local company bolsters employment in defence manufacturing
• Adelaide space research centre increases investment in the ACT
• South Australian lighting manufacturer praised for innovation
• Double victory for Orbis Wines

South Australian hydrogen showcased worldwide

Last week, representatives from Invest SA presented South Australia’s hydrogen capabilities to more than 3000 government representatives and industry stakeholders and professionals at Hydrogen Americas Summit (H2 Americas) in Washington DC.

H2 Americas comes after US President Joe Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act last year and seeks to advance clean energy projects and investment, with SA recognised as a global hydrogen leader with an “early mover advantage”.

The SA delegates showcased the industry development and opportunities at Port Bonython and the Malinauskas Labor Government’s $593 million Hydrogen Jobs Plan.

The Plan will see the construction of a 250-megawatt electrolyser, a 200-megawatt power generator and capacity for 3600 tonnes of hydrogen storage, with SA on track to produce and deliver a sustainable supply of green hydrogen with a total of 56 renewable energy projects in the pipeline, totalling $20 billion.

Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said attending H2 Americas provided the chance to connect with experienced companies and government representatives.

“We are eager to develop mutually beneficial international relationships connected to hydrogen while showcasing South Australia as a place for those interested in hydrogen to invest in,” he said.

– Elisabeth Marie

Japanese laser fusion company picks South Australia

A Japanese company developing laser fusion technology to produce energy for power generation will establish an office in South Australia by the end of this year after signing a memorandum of understanding.

EX-Fusion penned the document with Australian laser fusion firm HB-11 Energy and the University of Adelaide to assist and expedite laser and photonic research through shared facilities.

It announced its intentions to make SA its Australian base last week at the Australia-Japan Business Co-Operation Committee Joint Conference in Melbourne, with the state government claiming a win for its “position as a global hydrogen leader”.

The Japanese company, led by Kazuki Matsuo, draws on more than 50 years of research at Osaka University to develop its technology.

Laser fusion technology has been making headlines recently after scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory overcame a barrier in nuclear fusion when – for the first time – they produced more energy from a fusion experiment than was put in.

EX-Fusion also sees potential for bio-medical industries and collaborations with SAHMRI.

“For EX-Fusion to choose to call South Australia its home away from home is testament to the innovative environment we’ve created in our State’s Capital,” Minister for Trade and Investment Nick Champion said.

“This investment along with the endorsement that has been provided by the Japanese Government – one of our biggest trading partners – creates significant opportunities for our local industries.”

Matsuo said he looked forward to “seeing South Australia grow further as the green energy and space capital of Australia”.

“EX-Fusion has chosen South Australia to head up its operations in Australia for its proximity to innovative high-tech industries, its agile market access capabilities and the ability to work closely with government and research in a dedicated incubator environment,” he said.

– David Simmons

HESTA CEO Debby Blakely. Photo: supplied.

Super fund calls for fairer system to eliminate gender gap

One of Australia’s largest superannuation funds is advocating to eliminate the gender gap in superannuation and for transparency in measuring progress towards this goal. 

HESTA has over one million members, around 80 per cent of whom are women. 

As the federal government looks to legislate the objective of superannuation, HESTA has shared its recommendations for the bill.

In its submission regarding the Superannuation (Objective) Bill 2023 and Superannuation (Objective) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023, HESTA recommended “building a more equitable and dignified retirement income system for all Australians, irrespective of their income levels”.

It also said that “compatibility statements [should] incorporate comprehensive analyses, including rigorous modelling, to evaluate a policy’s impact on superannuation savings and its potential adverse consequences”.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakely said transparency and thorough analysis are essential as people deserve to know how policies affect their retirement savings.

“The ambition to target support in the superannuation system to those most in need can only be achieved if the distributional outcomes of superannuation policy are measured on different groups over time,” she said.

“A Gender Superannuation Impact Assessment can help us achieve this goal.”

– Clem Stanley

Plans for One World LED’s office. Photo: supplied.

Three companies to join Tonsley Innovation District

One World LED and Sportal – technology companies that research, design and engineer custom LED technology in Australia, the US and China – are joining the Tonsley Innovation District.

The companies will invest $9 million in South Australia to develop a 2000 sq m headquarters set to open in 2025.

The move will initially generate between 50 and 70 jobs with a target to reach several hundred employees between the businesses within a decade.

Attard Engineering is also moving near the Tonsley Innovation District with the acquisition of a 4238 sq m lot on Edison Road where it will develop an integrated engineering design, machining, fabrication and office headquarters.

Alongside the new headquarters due for completion in 2025, the engineering company plans to install equipment at the Tonsley site and partner with neighbouring businesses to create products for the defence, medical devices and green energy industries. 

– Elisabeth Marie

Local company bolsters employment in defence manufacturing

South Australian-owned and operated company QMS has invested more than half a million dollars in 18 months to train workers to meet the needs of South Australia’s defence manufacturing sector.

QMS CEO Crystal Kennedy said the company’s focus on building a highly skilled workforce will produce a significant boost for the sector.

“The ability to rapidly deploy skilled labour as the state moves closer towards operationalising major defence contracts, particularly in the maritime sector, is critical,” Kennedy said.

QMS specialises in maritime non-destructive testing, inspection and production services, and its workforce has grown from seven to 45 permanent staff in five years through internal traineeship programs.

“Poaching qualified staff to fulfil skills gaps isn’t a sustainable model and is why we have invested heavily in growing the capabilities of our workforce through dedicated training,” Kennedy said. “Not only does this benefit us, but the clients we service.”

– William Barker

SmartSat CEO Andy Koronios. Photo: supplied.

Adelaide space research centre increases investment in the ACT

Adelaide-based space research centre SmartSat CRC will further invest in new research and development projects and university appointments to support the ACT Space Update 2023.

The projects include bushfire resilience at the Australian National University (ANU) and surveillance of space objects with Infinity Avionics and UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy. 

These investments bring the company’s total joint investment in the ACT’s new space projects to $7 million. 

SmartSat CEO Andy Koronios said the investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting the national space sector.

“This fresh round of research investment by SmartSat delivers a rapid injection to the ACT Space Update,” he said. 

“We believe it will have a force-multiplier effect on the development of space R&D capability in the ACT and provide direct support to the ANU’s broader Earth Observation Resilience Mission with critical technology.”

– Clem Stanley

The team at VAILO. Photo: supplied.

South Australian lighting manufacturer praised for innovation

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) has recognised VAILO as one of Australia and New Zealand’s most innovative manufacturing and consumer goods companies.

The advanced lighting technology company ranked 6th in the AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies (Manufacturing & Consumer Goods) out of more than 700 nominees.

VAILO specialises in manufacturing ultra-high-performance LED sports lighting, with the award recognising its development of the Zenith Gen-V LED sports light.

The light is designed for sports stadiums and fields but can also be used for airports, seaports and mining operations.

VAILO CEO and founder Aaron Hickmann said the award recognises the hard work and ingenuity of the company’s team. 

“This accolade follows the AFR BOSS Best Places to Work awards in April where we placed 4th in the Manufacturing & Consumer Goods list, which I believe shows a direct correlation between a happy and innovative team,” Hickmann said.

– William Barker

The vineyard at Orbis Wines. Photo: Orbis Wines.

Double victory for Orbis Wines

Orbis Wines received the Environmental Excellence award in the Small-Medium Winery Category at the 2023 South Australian Wine Industry Association awards. 

The award recognises commitment to environmental sustainability, including their off-grid winery and local deliveries to customers in an electric vehicle powered by winery solar panels. 

Head winemaker Lauren Langfield – named ‘Young Gun of Wine’ at the awards – said the awards reflect the winery’s team and their commitment to sustainability. 

“I am excited to continue steering Orbis Wines to new heights, with a focus on low-sulphur, minimal intervention wines that are a true reflection of the McLaren Vale region,” Langfield said. 

Since its establishment in 2018, the company has kept sustainability in mind – constructing the winery using native hardwood timber grown on-site and utilising solar power and rainwater evaporation to nurture the environment for wine production.

“We are constantly exploring ways to reduce our carbon footprint, focusing on locking as much carbon in the soil as possible,” Langfield said. 

Orbis Wines will showcase a selection of their new releases at the upcoming Harvest Rock festival at the end of October. 

– Anastasia Savvas