Weighing only 16 kg per square metre on the roof (compared to up to 100 kg/sqm with conventional flat panels systems) the system is particularly well suited to meeting industrial and commercial static loading limits. The panels have been tested to withstand wind speeds up to 209kph and do not require rooftop penetration, attachments or ballast. The panels can be swiftly connected through a series of clicks, thereby greatly reducing installation time and costs.

Installed horizontally, the panels cast no shadow across vacant roof space, increasing useable roof space. The lightweight and self ballasting feature allows for easy manoeuvring – panels can be placed over previously unusable parts of the roof such as air ducts and other piping. For access, panels are simply moved aside.

Phoenix Solar testing has shown the energy yield of the Solyndra panel to be competitive with conventional modules mounted at about the latitude angle. Overall, Solyndra’s system can provide higher electricity output per rooftop. The commercial and industrial application of this new technology from Solyndra has the potential to greatly assist local industry with its peak daytime electricity needs, thereby reducing the risk of summer black outs making electricity supply more reliable during hot summer periods.

Infrastructure

To foster an environment that supports and values innovation and knowledge, the Queensland Government and the Brisbane City Council have invested strongly in research and development infrastructure. Brisbane’s innovation is enhanced by the following world-class infrastructure hubs of excellence:

* Brisbane’s Knowledge Corridor – a four kilometre line of tertiary campuses, research precincts and cultural/creative facilities transecting the city centre.

* PACE (Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence) – a world-class research, education, clinical practice and industry precinct.

* Sustainable Minerals Institute – partners with industry to research, test, implement and innovate sustainable development practices.

* BioPharmaceuticals Australia – will be Australia’s first contract scale-up manufacturing organisation (due in 2011).

Collaboration

Brisbane’s innovation has accelerated with help from the collaborations of the government, private industry and academia. A number of its signature partnerships include:

* Boeing and UQ – Th is concentrates on major research programs including advanced composites, light robotics and ageing aircraft technologies.

* Brisbane Airport Corporation and QUT – based on a shared vision to apply scientifi c outcomes and academic rigor through ‘whole-of-organisation’ involvement.

* Invest Brisbane Corporate Partnership program – with a total of 15 partners, from property development, and banking industries and universities to local councils, it aims to expand the Brisbane economy via the provision of expert local advice to investors.

Recognition

Now in its fourth year, the Lord Mayor’s Business Awards celebrates the achievements of Brisbane business. It recognises and rewards excellence and the corporate sector’s outstanding contributions to the growth of Brisbane’s economy. Hosted by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman together with Brisbane Marketing’s Invest Brisbane, the event is a showcase of innovative Brisbane companies at the cutting edge. An initiative of Invest Brisbane, the Awards encompass exciting categories including ‘Business Innovation’, ‘Sustainability in Business’ and ‘Young Business Person of the Year’.

About Brisbane Marketing

Brisbane Marketing is the official marketing authority for the Greater Brisbane Region. The agency’s mission is to promote Brisbane and its surrounds as an emerging global city to local, national and international markets, with the ultimate goal of achieving optimum social and economic benefi ts for the local community, residents and businesses.

Website: www.brisbanemarketing.com.au

The power of two: Public and private sectors combine forces to support the innovative growth of technology firms in Queensland at Brisbane Technology Park.

For over seven years developer Graystone and science park management fi rm Zernike Australia have worked with the Queensland Government to support the growth of technology companies at Brisbane Technology Park (BTP). Brisbane Technology Park was established in 1985 to encourage the clustering of companies in the high technology sector. Th e vision was to create an environment that would stimulate the development of technology driven industries and lead to sustainable economic growth.

The partnership between Graystone and Zernike Australia has enabled Brisbane Technology Park to transform itself from an undeveloped land bank with minimal private sector investment to a thriving precinct which is now widely recognised as Queensland’s premier technology park.

Graystone Chief Executive Officer, Tim Johnson, said the collaborative development model used at Brisbane Technology Park had created an environment where technology companies are flourishing.

“We have confidence in the State’s technology capability and we want to ensure that the residents of Brisbane Technology Park continue to succeed through the tough times by remaining focused on innovation,” Mr Johnson said.

“Innovation brings sustainable business success and long-term economic growth. Applying the latest technology to our existing industries and developing new industries from our thriving R&D base will help to diversify our economy. Supporting established and emerging technology-based companies is what BTP is all about”.

The park is already home to more than 80 prestigious national and multi-national companies that are taking advantage of its prime location, quality infrastructure, and cost-eff ective rates.

Zernike Australia has provided management and support services to resident technology companies since 2002. Th ese services include property management and leasing, community development and networking, access to professional advice and marketing assistance.

Innovative Networking

Zernike’s role is to encourage networking and collaboration between businesses at BTP, research institutions, universities, and the private sector.

“We create opportunities for companies to interact with each other, and we actively support research and development activity between companies in the park. We are very proud of the considerable home-grown innovation at BTP,” said Gill Laird-Portch, Zernike’s onsite Manager.

BTP resident Medihoney Pty Ltd is a prime example of such innovation. The company makes a range of revolutionary skin and wound care products. Many of these products were developed in Queensland and employ the same principals as the ancient Egyptians and Greeks who used honey for treating wounds.

Medihoney settled at BTP in 2008, and went on to win the Optus Platinum Award and IBM Award for Business Innovation.

The company won both awards for demonstrating innovation and international reach – the very elements that have helped to drive the growth of Brisbane’s economy, and the success of the BTP model itself.

Medihoney’s General Manager Anthony Moloney said: “Th e company was very excited about the move to BTP because of the networking opportunities and facilities available at the park.”

The Innovation Series

One such networking opportunity, the Innovation Series, was introduced by Zernike in 2002. This event has grown into a highly respected forum that showcases worldleading innovators and promotes a culture of innovation and enterprise across the corporate, academic and public sectors.

Kellie Heiler, Manager of the BTP Technology & Conference Centre, said the Innovation Series had proven to be a fantastic way to highlight the work of great innovators and foster vital business connections.

The Innovation Series attracted such a strong level of interest from across Australia that an Innovation Series Sydney was launched in November 2008, and commenced this year.

“The Innovation Series Sydney will continue the tradition started in Brisbane by showcasing forward thinking companies at the forefront of innovation and research,” Ms Heiler said.

‘Level One by Zernike’

To further position BTP as a unique commercial development, Zernike Australia has invested in a 1,800sqm lease in a state-of-the-art building as the new home of the ‘Level One by Zernike’ initiative. Level One offers a premium range of flexible offi ce solutions specifically targeting high growth, technology-based businesses.

The Level One building was proudly constructed by Graystone, the market leader in the delivery of specialised commercial and industrial developments, particularly in the science and technology space. Graystone will capitalise on the success of projects like Level One as it develops BTP Central, a new landmark project in the heart of Brisbane Technology Park.

“There is a limited amount of land left at BTP and we have to ensure that we optimise what remains. We are excited to be able to continue to build on the resounding success of Brisbane Technology Park, particularly in light of the growing demand for premium technology space,” said Tim Johnson, Graystone CEO.

Graystone and Zernike will continue to promote Brisbane Technology Park as the location of choice for technology-based companies, and a practical example of how innovation can be fostered through collaboration between the private and public sector.

Website: www.brisbanetechnologypark.com.au

republished from Australian Innovation 2009 – the print publication