Net Zero Fund

Lead investigators

Dr Jen Wood

Project description

This project explores the recovery of microbial functions in waterbodies of different conservation states post-drought.

Leveraging our existing relationships with farms in the Loddon, southern Mallee, and Wimmera regions, we'll sample wetlands and dams of varying biodiversity. Using microcosms to simulate drought conditions, we'll monitor community function and recovery through metagenomics and trace gas analysis, focusing on methane fluxes.

Amount

$50,000

Lead investigators

Professor Travis Beddoe

Project description

Lavender is one of the most commercially valuable medicinal and aromatic plants, widely grown for industrial purposes. Its essential oil is the most prized product, used across a broad range of applications.

The genus Lavandula includes various species and hybrids that collectively produce around 1,500 tons of essential oil annually. Among these, Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender) accounts for approximately 300–500 tons per year. In Australia, there is a domestic shortfall of at least 50 tons of lavender oil annually, suggesting that agrivoltaic farms could help meet this growing demand.

Several studies have demonstrated that the shading provided by solar panels can affect both the yield and appearance of crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers. Strong lighting promotes the accumulation of reserve substances, stimulates flowering, and is ideal for crops such as potatoes, beets, cereals, and fruit plants. In contrast, moderate light availability supports the elongation of vegetative parts, making it beneficial for crops grown primarily for their leaves and stems.

This insight could be particularly valuable in enhancing the yield of medicinal and aromatic plants. To date, there have been very few studies on lavender production in agrivolatic systems, particularly regarding the impact of agrivoltaic systems on essential oil yield and concentration. The potential effects of growing lavender under such conditions remain largely unexplored and warrant further investigation.

Amount

$45,000

Lead investigators

Professor Daswin De Silva

Project description

This project aims to utilise the current data and AI capabilities of LEAP to identify, investigate and conduct new research into the existing gaps in effective integration of distributed energy resources and electric vehicles (EVs) within an energy grid setting, such as:

• dynamic operating envelopes
• optimisation of network hosting capacity
• techno-economic analysis of vehicle-to-grid technology
• optimal operation of virtual power plants; and
• community batteries and charging that improves hosting capacity.

The project will explore the technical capabilities of Predictive AI, Generative AI, Causal AI and Distributed Ledger Technologies for the development of novel techniques and algorithms that can address these gaps effectively, while also unlocking opportunities for new research.

Findings from this project will be published as research articles, implemented as technology components and evaluated in the real-world operational setting of LEAP.

Amount

$55,000