Case studies
- Energy Futures inspire the next generation of sustainable scientists
- Bringing energy efficiency to dairy farming
- Steel production gets decarbonisation boost
UOW Science Space is set to become home to a state-of-the-art gallery, after receiving a $2.5 million grant from the Australian Government in 2024. The interactive Energy Futures Zone will feature 25 new hands-on exhibits, focusing on hydrogen, wind, solar, wave and gravity energy technologies, plus nine renewed exhibits.
The zone forms part of a broader $10 million initiative to develop skills and courses for emerging energy industries. By engaging audiences of all ages, it aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators leading Australia's sustainable energy transition.
The exhibits will educate visitors about energy generation mechanics while highlighting potential careers in the growing energy futures field. Scheduled to open in late 2025, the Energy Futures Zone will mark a new era for Science Space and its visitors, strengthening UOW's role in advancing public understanding of clean energy technologies.
- SDG 4 – Quality Education
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
University of Wollongong researchers are pioneering circular economy approaches to transform Australia's energy-intensive dairy industry through innovative waste heat recovery systems. The collaborative two-year project, led by UOW’s Professor Zhenjun Ma and Research Fellow Dr Emily W. Yap, investigates scalable thermal energy sharing solutions to improve energy efficiency in dairy farming and production.
The dairy industry is Australia’s third largest rural sector and its processing operations result in a significant amount of waste heat. The research, conducted in partnership with Bega Group and GeoExchange Australia, applies circular economy principles to identify optimal waste heat recovery and energy efficiency opportunities on farms and in processing factories.
Energy monitoring is being conducted on sites across the Bega Valley Shire, providing critical data on thermal energy flows and recovery potential. The research project supports the Regional Circularity Co-operative's goal to transform the Bega Valley into a living exemplar of circularity by 2030, demonstrating how agricultural waste streams can become valuable energy resources while supporting emissions reduction and economic resilience.
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
Explore how UOW is transforming the dairy industry through circular innovation
A team of UOW researchers secured $4.2 million funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and industry partner BlueScope Steel to investigate ways to utilise low and medium grade iron ore in low emission steelmaking and further decarbonise domestic steel production.
The team includes project leaders, Senior Research Fellow Dr Xue Feng Dong and Research Fellow Dr Raymond Longbottom, together with Professor Brian Monaghan and Professor Paul Zulli, all from the School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering. Over five years, they will explore the viability of Australia’s abundant Pilbara iron ores in a potential breakthrough, low-emissions, electric smelting furnace (ESF)-based steelmaking route.
This research addresses a critical opportunity for Australia, which accounts for up to 53 per cent of global iron ore exports annually. By demonstrating viable pathways for low-emissions steelmaking using domestic ore resources, the project stands to revolutionise the steel industry and bring net zero one step closer, supporting both industrial decarbonisation and economic resilience.
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
Explore how UOW is transforming the dairy industry through circular innovation
