Clean energy technology scientist Dr Bjorn Sturmberg has received the 2024 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award.

A Senior Research Fellow in the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program at the Australian National University, Dr Sturmberg works on low-carbon electricity and transport systems: how electric vehicles and batteries can integrate with the power grid, and improving the efficiency and cost competitiveness of solar technology.

Dr Sturmberg led Australia’s first project to convert an apartment complex into a solar and battery powered microgrid; through this, he recognised how socio-economic barriers to decarbonisation limit social equity. He also wrote a children’s book about the clean energy transition.

“I’m honoured to be the ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year and to represent the world leading clean energy research and development taking place at ANU and across the Territory,” Dr Sturmberg said.

Chief Minister Andrew Barr congratulated Dr Sturmberg on his “incredible achievement and extraordinary work”.

“His research aims to have immediate, real-world impacts to accelerate the transition to clean energy and steer this transition towards fairer and more equitable outcomes,” Mr Barr said.

“The ACT Government is a big supporter of science and innovation and empowering our local scientists to continue their research to inform future decisions to care for Canberra’s environment.

“This body of work will assist the ACT in continuing as a global leader in climate change action, having already become the first region in the southern hemisphere to achieve 100 per cent electricity generation from renewable sources.”

“The ACT Government has been leading the transition to a zero emissions economy for decades,” Dr Sturmberg said. “This includes supporting the creation of the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program at ANU, which brought me to Canberra.”

Dr Sturmberg thanked all the ACT organisations whose partnerships have enabled his research and had significant effects: the ACT Government, ActewAGL, Evoenergy, ITP Renewables, and Zepben.

“Together, the ACT is making invaluable investments for a safe climate and prosperous zero emissions economy in our Territory, country and planet,” Dr Sturmberg said.