Our themes
Our themes
Our themes
Our themes
At Trop Energy, our research themes drive innovation across renewable technologies, materials, systems, and communities. We focus on energy solutions tailored for tropical and regional Australia—advancing clean generation, smart storage, water-energy efficiency, and inclusive transitions that support local resilience, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
At Trop Energy, our research themes drive innovation across renewable technologies, materials, systems, and communities. We focus on energy solutions tailored for tropical and regional Australia—advancing clean generation, smart storage, water-energy efficiency, and inclusive transitions that support local resilience, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
At Trop Energy, our research themes drive innovation across renewable technologies, materials, systems, and communities. We focus on energy solutions tailored for tropical and regional Australia—advancing clean generation, smart storage, water-energy efficiency, and inclusive transitions that support local resilience, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
At Trop Energy, our research themes drive innovation across renewable technologies, materials, systems, and communities. We focus on energy solutions tailored for tropical and regional Australia—advancing clean generation, smart storage, water-energy efficiency, and inclusive transitions that support local resilience, sustainability, and climate adaptation.
Generation & Storage
Generation & Storage
Generation & Storage
Generation & Storage
This theme focuses on the development and optimisation of renewable energy generation and storage systems suitable for regional and tropical environments. Research spans across green hydrogen production, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage, with a particular interest in integration with pump hydro and battery technologies. The aim is to create reliable, decentralised systems that support energy resilience and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Projects under this theme investigate how different energy storage methods can be adapted for variable solar and wind conditions, ensuring continuous power supply for remote and off-grid communities. It also considers the lifecycle and circular economy aspects of storage systems, with attention to regional resource availability and infrastructure needs.
This theme focuses on the development and optimisation of renewable energy generation and storage systems suitable for regional and tropical environments. Research spans across green hydrogen production, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage, with a particular interest in integration with pump hydro and battery technologies. The aim is to create reliable, decentralised systems that support energy resilience and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Projects under this theme investigate how different energy storage methods can be adapted for variable solar and wind conditions, ensuring continuous power supply for remote and off-grid communities. It also considers the lifecycle and circular economy aspects of storage systems, with attention to regional resource availability and infrastructure needs.
This theme focuses on the development and optimisation of renewable energy generation and storage systems suitable for regional and tropical environments. Research spans across green hydrogen production, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage, with a particular interest in integration with pump hydro and battery technologies. The aim is to create reliable, decentralised systems that support energy resilience and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Projects under this theme investigate how different energy storage methods can be adapted for variable solar and wind conditions, ensuring continuous power supply for remote and off-grid communities. It also considers the lifecycle and circular economy aspects of storage systems, with attention to regional resource availability and infrastructure needs.
Renewable Energy, Transmission & Microgrid Systems
Renewable Energy, Transmission & Microgrid Systems
Renewable Energy, Transmission & Microgrid Systems
Renewable Energy, Transmission & Microgrid Systems
This theme explores the intersection of renewable energy forecasting, efficient electricity transmission, and microgrid technologies tailored for tropical and remote communities. Accurate forecasting of solar and wind energy production is critical for energy system stability and cost-effectiveness. Research also targets grid resilience, with a focus on designing smart, modular microgrids that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid.
These systems will enhance reliability, especially in disaster-prone and off-grid areas. Transmission infrastructure optimisation, including integration with CopperString and other regional projects, is a key focus. The goal is to support a flexible and adaptive energy system aligned with regional development and climate resilience objectives.
This theme explores the intersection of renewable energy forecasting, efficient electricity transmission, and microgrid technologies tailored for tropical and remote communities. Accurate forecasting of solar and wind energy production is critical for energy system stability and cost-effectiveness. Research also targets grid resilience, with a focus on designing smart, modular microgrids that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid.
These systems will enhance reliability, especially in disaster-prone and off-grid areas. Transmission infrastructure optimisation, including integration with CopperString and other regional projects, is a key focus. The goal is to support a flexible and adaptive energy system aligned with regional development and climate resilience objectives.
Waste & Circular Economy
Waste & Circular Economy
Waste & Circular Economy
Waste & Circular Economy
This theme leverages waste valorisation and circular economy principles to turn agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste into energy and valuable products. Technologies such as microwave pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion are explored to recover energy from waste streams while minimising emissions. The theme also looks at innovations in low-energy-use manufacturing processes that align with sustainable industry practices.
By reducing energy intensity in manufacturing and promoting zero-waste strategies, the research supports regional industries in transitioning to low-carbon, resource-efficient production. The focus is on scalable solutions with high applicability in agriculture, mining, and remote area contexts.
This theme leverages waste valorisation and circular economy principles to turn agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste into energy and valuable products. Technologies such as microwave pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion are explored to recover energy from waste streams while minimising emissions. The theme also looks at innovations in low-energy-use manufacturing processes that align with sustainable industry practices.
By reducing energy intensity in manufacturing and promoting zero-waste strategies, the research supports regional industries in transitioning to low-carbon, resource-efficient production. The focus is on scalable solutions with high applicability in agriculture, mining, and remote area contexts.
Smart Materials and Solar Cells
Smart Materials and Solar Cells
Smart Materials and Solar Cells
Smart Materials and Solar Cells
This theme focuses on advanced materials for energy applications, particularly in the development of smart materials and next-generation solar technologies. It includes work on sustainable materials for solar panels, energy storage components, thermal coatings, and protective films for tropical conditions. Emphasis is placed on material performance, durability, and recyclability, as well as on harnessing local resources such as critical minerals.
Smart materials that respond to environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, light, moisture) are investigated for their potential in energy-efficient building design, sensors, and self-healing systems. The goal is to deliver cost-effective, high-performance materials that support the reliability and longevity of renewable energy technologies.
This theme focuses on advanced materials for energy applications, particularly in the development of smart materials and next-generation solar technologies. It includes work on sustainable materials for solar panels, energy storage components, thermal coatings, and protective films for tropical conditions. Emphasis is placed on material performance, durability, and recyclability, as well as on harnessing local resources such as critical minerals.
Smart materials that respond to environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, light, moisture) are investigated for their potential in energy-efficient building design, sensors, and self-healing systems. The goal is to deliver cost-effective, high-performance materials that support the reliability and longevity of renewable energy technologies.
Water – Irrigation, Thermal Energy & Cooling Systems
Water – Irrigation, Thermal Energy & Cooling Systems
Water – Irrigation, Thermal Energy & Cooling Systems
Water – Irrigation, Thermal Energy & Cooling Systems
Water and energy are deeply interconnected, especially in tropical climates where cooling demands are high. This theme addresses the efficient use of water in energy systems and explores thermal energy solutions for irrigation, passive cooling, and sustainable building design. Research focuses on reducing energy demand in water management through smart irrigation systems, low-energy desalination, and integration of thermal storage.
The development of passive and active cooling systems and converting the heat into renewable energy is also a priority, especially for local and off-grid communities. The theme contributes to climate adaptation, agricultural productivity, and improved water-energy nexus management across North Queensland.
Water and energy are deeply interconnected, especially in tropical climates where cooling demands are high. This theme addresses the efficient use of water in energy systems and explores thermal energy solutions for irrigation, passive cooling, and sustainable building design. Research focuses on reducing energy demand in water management through smart irrigation systems, low-energy desalination, and integration of thermal storage.
The development of passive and active cooling systems and converting the heat into renewable energy is also a priority, especially for local and off-grid communities. The theme contributes to climate adaptation, agricultural productivity, and improved water-energy nexus management across North Queensland.
Community, People & Behaviour
Community, People & Behaviour
Community, People & Behaviour
Community, People & Behaviour
This theme investigates the human and societal dimensions of energy transitions. It explores how communities perceive, adopt, and benefit from renewable energy technologies, and what behavioural, cultural, or institutional factors enable or hinder sustainable practices. Research here draws from behavioural science, social psychology, and participatory methods to co-design energy solutions that align with community values and local knowledge.
Emphasis is placed on energy justice, equity, and Indigenous engagement, ensuring all voices are part of the transition to a cleaner energy future. This theme plays a critical role in fostering long-term adoption and resilience of new energy systems through education, outreach, and capacity building.
This theme investigates the human and societal dimensions of energy transitions. It explores how communities perceive, adopt, and benefit from renewable energy technologies, and what behavioural, cultural, or institutional factors enable or hinder sustainable practices. Research here draws from behavioural science, social psychology, and participatory methods to co-design energy solutions that align with community values and local knowledge.
Emphasis is placed on energy justice, equity, and Indigenous engagement, ensuring all voices are part of the transition to a cleaner energy future. This theme plays a critical role in fostering long-term adoption and resilience of new energy systems through education, outreach, and capacity building.
Join the Clean Energy Movement
Join the Clean Energy Movement
Ready to be part of the energy transition? Whether you're a researcher, industry partner, or investor, we invite you to connect with Trop Energy.
Trop Energy, in partnership with James Cook University, is leading research and innovation in renewable energy, storage, and green manufacturing to help Queensland meet its carbon reduction targets.
Enter your email address
Subscribe
Quick Links
Quick Links
Legal & Policy Links
Copyright © 2025 Trop Energy. All Rights Reserved.
Trop Energy, in partnership with James Cook University, is leading research and innovation in renewable energy, storage, and green manufacturing to help Queensland meet its carbon reduction targets.
Enter your email address
Subscribe
Quick Links
Quick Links
Legal & Policy Links
Copyright © 2025 Trop Energy. All Rights Reserved.
Trop Energy, in partnership with James Cook University, is leading research and innovation in renewable energy, storage, and green manufacturing to help Queensland meet its carbon reduction targets.
Enter your email address
Subscribe
Quick Links
Quick Links
Legal & Policy Links
Copyright © 2025 Trop Energy. All Rights Reserved.
Trop Energy, in partnership with James Cook University, is leading research and innovation in renewable energy, storage, and green manufacturing to help Queensland meet its carbon reduction targets.
Enter your email address
Subscribe
Quick Links
Quick Links
Legal & Policy Links
Copyright © 2025 Trop Energy. All Rights Reserved.