Centre for New Energy Transition Research
The Centre for New Energy Transition Research (CfNETR) aims to develop advanced knowledge in electrical power and low-carbon technologies for a sustainable ecosystem.
Our researchCentre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI)Centre for New Energy Transition ResearchCentre for Regional Education Research DevelopmentCentre for Smart AnalyticsCollaborative Evaluation and Research CentreHealth Innovation and Transformation CentreNational Centre for Reconciliation, Truth and Justice
The Centre for New Energy Transition Research (CfNETR) – part of the Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability – brings together multidisciplinary teams across Gippsland and Mt Helen to respond to the need for research, training and skills development in low-carbon technologies, particularly in regional and remote communities where energy systems are rapidly evolving.
CfNETR was established in 2022, with $2.43 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Research Collaboration Program. Led by Professor Nima Amjady, the Centre's researchers work closely with community, government and industry partners to develop solutions across energy generation, transmission, storage and management. The aim? To advance Net Zero Carbon targets for 2050 and support the transition to a 100% renewable-powered economy.
Research streams
This stream focuses on smart control of energy storage and microgrids, grid integration of renewable energies, power electronic converters, electrical vehicles planning and operation, virtual power plant operation and control, and energy management in smart buildings.
This stream focuses on demand management for ancillary service, smart grid security, resiliency in the power network, prosumer market model, V2G and V2H – control and impact assessment, optimisation of energy system, and social license to clean energy project.
This stream focuses on production of low-emission fuel, combine heat and power, hydrogen technology for power and transportation system, low-cost storage technology, bioenergy and energy from waste, and technical and economical analysis in energy and transport system.
This stream focuses on water and energy nexus for low-carbon society, built environment – minimising environmental impact, human behavioural study, impacts of climate change on extreme weather events on energy and water, and zero-emission in transportation.
Research team
Professor Jiefeng ‘Jerry’ Hu, Microgrids and Renewables stream leader
Associate Professor Surbhi Sharma, Future Fuel and Hydrogen Economy stream leader
Associate Professor Rakibuzzaman Shah, Future Grid and Community Energy stream leader
Associate Professor Savin Chand, Net Zero Initiatives stream leader
Projects and awards
- Enhanced System Planning Victoria (ESP-V) project, funded by Centre for New Energy Technologies (C4NET) ($640,000)
- Develop strategies for integrating electric vehicle (EV) technology into the national grid, funded by Centre for Australia-India Relations ($380,000)
- Explore potential for the water sector in the energy market (case study)
- Overcoming hydrogen's burning issues (case study)
- Development of cheaper and sustainable catalyst and electrode materials for electrolysers
Current projects
- Understanding the operational and design requirements of expanding hydrogen power into the agricultural vehicle sector via hydrogen fuel cells
- Prediction of hydrogen production from wastewater using artificial intelligence (AI)
- Assessing Australia’s policy, regulatory, techno-economic, and infrastructure readiness for economically viable hydrogen integration into the national energy mix
- Sustainable energy transitions and transport decarbonization in small island developing states
Completed projects
- Producing carbon materials from victorian lignite feedstocks for lithium-ion battery anode application
Available projects
- The development of sustainable electrochemical technologies to convert dairy wastewater into clean hydrogen, reducing treatment costs and environmental impacts while creating a scalable renewable energy solution for Australia's dairy industry
- 2025: CSIRO's International Hydrogen Research Fellowship Program, Associate Professor Surbhi Sharma
- 2022: Vice Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence, Associate Professor Savin Chand
See CfNETR in action
Centre for New Energy Transition Research researchers
Research labs
- Electric vehicle (EV), Mt Helen Campus
- Hydrogen, Gippsland Campus
- Simulation, Mt Helen Campus
Events
2025
- Dr Blessy Babukutty, a visiting postdoctoral fellow from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, India, was hosted by Associate Professor Surbhi Sharma from August 2025 to October 2025. The collaborative project focused on developing and testing seaweed-based membranes for use in electrochemical hydrogen systems. The visit was supported by the Australia India Women Researchers’ Exchange (AIWE) program, led by the Australia-India Institute and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education.
2023
- The Carbon Technology Research Laboratory at Gippsland Campus hosted a delegation of 10 diplomatic journalists from Bangladesh, led by Dr Nawshad Haque from CSIRO. The Australian Government sponsored the event, which involved a tour of our facilities and a discussion of upcycling low-value carbon (lignite) and waste carbon into products for use in the renewable energy industry. Associate Professor Dr Surbhi Sharma and Dr Alicia Reynolds also talked about the viability of blue hydrogen production from lignite and the management and utilisation of carbon dioxide.
- Professor Surbhi Sharma, in partnership with the Centre for Smart Analytics, delivered a hydrogen RT & D and asset management workshop at Gippsland Campus. This event was sponsored by the Asset Management Council as part of the ICMIAM 2023 conference. The workshop presented the status quo of hydrogen technologies in the region from different perspectives and aimed to identify enablers and deterrents to progress. Participants discussed capabilities, training and infrastructure development needs to support the growing industry and facilitate the energy transition in the region.
- Professor Surbhi Sharma collaborated with Anurag University, India, to deliver a short-term training program on recent advances in fuel cells and hydrogen storage. The five-day online course included speakers from industry and academia across Australia, India, the UK and the EU.
- CSIRO staff and Parker Hannifin visited Gippsland Campus to discuss hydrogen and carbon tech capabilities.
Engage with us
We're keen to hear from:
- HDR candidates looking for supervision
- external researchers who would like to collaborate
- organisations seeking consultancy services, commissioned research and evaluation, collaborative research partnerships or workforce training in new energy.
Contact us
If you have any questions about CfNETR or you'd like to discuss engagement opportunities, please email n.amjady@federation.edu.au.