Advanced Digital Technologies
Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming global supply chains
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technology could add $74 billion in value to the Australian economy and create over 80,000 new jobs by 2030.
The rapid growth of digital and advanced technologies presents a tremendous opportunity for Australia. These high-value, high-complexity enabling technologies and associated skills have broad cross-sector applications and global export potential, with many advanced manufacturing capabilities in the energy resources supply chain sharing common fundamentals with those in other industries, such as mining, agriculture, and space.
Leveraging these cross-sector strengths and skillsets is an effective way for domestic businesses to achieve scale and will accelerate the pace of capability development in Australia’s manufacturing sector.
Through collaborative lighthouse projects, innovation funding, digital test labs, innovation hubs, technology clusters and deployment pathways, NERA is championing Australia’s emergence as a key player in the development and manufacturing of advanced data analytics, robotics and automation technology, while encouraging Australian businesses to realise the benefits of digital transformation.
NERA's Advanced Digital Technology Projects and Initiatives
Below are some examples of collaborative projects and initiatives that are supporting Australian businesses to realise the benefits of digital transformation and continuing to drive a globally competitive supply chain.
Robotics and automation
EX-rated robotic crawler
Through this project, Perth-based Robotic specialists Nexxis are assisting industry to transition towards a safer future by developing the world's first EX-rated robotic crawler that can perform confined-space and hazardous inspections so that humans don't have to.
Metal 3D printing
NERA is collaborating to support the development of a new high-speed, low-cost metal 3D printing technology specifically for the oil and gas industry, which can operate around 1,000 times the speed of conventional metal 3D printing at a fraction of the cost.
AI subsea pipeline inspection tool
Wood and NERA have partnered to develop and deliver a solution for the inspection of critical industrial equipment, particularly for subsea oil and gas infrastructure.
Advanced digital and data analytics
World-first technology to improve groundwater monitoring
NERA is supporting the commercialisation of Australian technology through a world-first field trial. CSIRO's Vesi™ technology has the potential to dramatically improve the accuracy of groundwater monitoring activities relating to in-situ recovery (ISR) operations.
Using data to unlock Australia's resource base
NERA has partnered with The University of Queensland Centre for Natural Gas and industry operators to commercialise leading research that will improve the accuracy of the resource models used in the Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry, contributing to more cost-effective resource planning.
Innovation Voucher Program
NERA has supported Australian innovation through the Innovation Voucher Program, which assists SMEs to develop advanced technologies that can be applied across the sector and overcome specific challenges or barriers to getting their technology commercialised.
Test labs and innovation hubs
WA Data Science Innovation Hub
Together with METS Ignited and Bankwest, NERA is proud to be a Foundation Member of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub (WADSIH), which connects industry to universities, ensuring the transfer of knowledge across various sectors impacted by digital disruption.
Energy and Resources Digital Interoperability (ERDi) Test Lab
The University of Western Australia's Industry 4.0 Energy and Resources Digital Interoperability (ERDi) Test Lab is a globally unique facility, established to help enable the widespread adoption of digital Industry 4.0 technologies into the production and processing of Australia's energy and resources.
Wireless Industrial Sensor Environment Program
This project is enabling WISE to support use-case pilot projects with a range of industry and SME participants to identify, test and develop their new cost-effective technologies in a collaborative and controlled environment.
Technology supply chain development initiatives
GeneratER Program
GeneratER is a collaborative program supported by NERA, JTSI and Industry, and designed to stimulate the energy resources supply chain by identifying genuine operational challenges for the sector and using an open-source process to fast-track adoption of local technology solutions.
Quantum TX
The QuantumTX program strengthens capability and collaboration across Australia in technologies that bridge the mining, energy, agricultural and defence sectors, providing some of Australia's technology innovators with industry mentoring, facilitated market engagement, profile raising and introductions to new sector networks.
Australia's Energy Technology Platform
Supported by NERA, Australia’s Energy Technology Platform is an online portal that connects technology suppliers and end-users to solve energy sector challenges and rapidly deploy technologies across specialist domains.