CSIRO backs FPR’s clean energy breakthrough

FPR Energy, a new venture backed by CSIRO, has raised $15 million in seed funding to commercialise concentrated solar thermal (CST) clean energy technology aimed at reducing emissions in heavy industries.

According to CSIRO, the funding is the largest seed investment for a CSIRO-backed venture.

It will support the development of a 50-megawatt demonstration plant showcasing the CST technology’s capability to produce high-temperature heat for industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals.

CSIRO Energy Technologies Research Director, Dr Daniel Roberts, said FPR Energy is a major step in meeting the growing demand for renewable solutions in hard-to-abate heavy industries.

“FPR Energy is building on years of solar thermal research, demonstrating CSIRO’s commitment to supporting emissions reduction using impact-focussed science and technology,” Roberts said.

“Diversifying the way we harness Australia’s abundant solar resources will help develop a low-carbon economy and support economic growth and job creation in the Hunter region.

“Helping heavy industries to transition to cleaner energy sources is essential to reaching Australia’s net-zero emission targets,” he said.

Industrial emissions account for 20 per cent of Australia’s annual carbon footprint, making FPR Energy’s innovation a critical step toward the nation’s net-zero goals.

Using CSIRO’s particle-based CST technology, the venture offers an industry-first clean energy solution capable of producing temperatures up to 1200°C—sufficient to power high-temperature processes across multiple sectors.

FPR Energy’s CST system utilises low-cost ceramic particles to store solar energy as heat, enabling long-duration energy storage for industrial operations and green fuel production.

The company’s upcoming 50-megawatt thermal demonstration plant will showcase the technology’s commercial viability, featuring up to 16 hours of integrated thermal energy storage.

Osaka Gas, a key partner in the venture, brings decades of expertise in energy solutions tailored for industrial needs.

FPR Energy builds on CSIRO’s extensive solar research through the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

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