What We Do
The successful implementation of any sustainable transport strategy will require a capacity to undertake research and development on the production of alternative fuels, perform fuel testing and trials, analyse economic and social costs and benefits of various alternative fuel options, and understand life cycle emissions and costs associated with the various transport technology and fuel options.
CREST assembles nationally-recognised local expertise and research excellence from universities, TAFE, and local industry. CREST integrates this expertise in the development, testing and commercialisation of new transport fuels that meet sustainability criteria. CREST houses both capital and intellectual infrastructure that is unique, not only to Western Australian, but within Australia.
By targeting local pockets of research excellence and gaining synergies from a coordinated and resource sharing approach, CREST delivers long-term benefits to the State at an internationally competitive level.
CREST’s particular strengths lie in the following areas:
- Coal science and technology such as pyrolysis, gasification, liquefaction and combustion of coal, as well as the structure and properties of coal.
- Pyrolysis and bio refinery for the production of liquid transport fuels from biomass.
- Catalytic conversion of light hydrocarbons, including natural gas.
- Battery research.
- Nanotechnology for advances in battery research and hydrogen storage.
- Production of bio oils and ethanol from microalgae.
- Economic cost and benefit analyses of various alternative fuels, as well as life cycle and greenhouse emission assessments.
- Process engineering and the optimisation of alternative fuel production processes.
- Trial and demonstration programs.
- Education and training – trade training, postgraduate education and professional development courses.