This third and final Games in the Northern Territory renewable energy series will see more than 150 participants come together online and in-person at the Darwin Innovation Hub forming 16 teams focused on 11 sectors relevant to the Northern Territory economy, including: health & community services; property, construction & trades; educational campuses; mining & resources; logistics & cold storage; tourism & hospitality; advanced users of renewables (various sectors); and transport & e-mobility (road, rail and public transport).
Through a series of facilitated design sprints, the diverse innovation teams will collaborate to develop transition solutions to assist businesses and organisations convert to renewables. Each team has the freedom to explore any aspect of renewable energy relevant to their team’s sector. They will develop practical, scalable and easily implementable solutions designed for a range of sectors, as well as providing benefit to the wider community.
Funded by the Australian Government, the Games are delivered by Paddl Co. – a startup developing new ways to better prepare organisations, employees, practitioners and talent for the future of work – through the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA).
Today’s Games are co-sponsored with the Australian Government by the Northern Territory Government, Industry Skills Advisory Council Northern Territory (ISACNT), National Energy Resources Australia (NERA), the Darwin Innovation Hub, Territory Generation and ABB Australia.
They follow the success of the first two Games held in the Northern Territory on 25 March 2021 and 22 April 2021, where participants developed their understanding of renewables and solutions to optimise their energy usage.
NERA CEO Miranda Taylor said she is very much looking forward to seeing the innovative solutions presented by the team members participating in this third Games.
“With the focus on helping NT businesses ‘transition to renewables’ these Games are positioned perfectly to make a real and tangible difference in the Territory. There’s so much for businesses to gain by transitioning to renewable energy, so innovative solutions that can provide a fast and low business disruption pathway are a major incentive to drive that transition,” Taylor said.
“And of course the opportunity for team members to develop their problem-solving skills whilst interacting with NT small business owners provides invaluable real world experience.
“NERA’s been proud to be associated with the NT National Innovation Games and I strongly believe the opportunity for Australia to become a global, renewable energy powerhouse is enhanced significantly by the professional development of team members and their problem-solving skills, gained by participating in these events.”
“Innovation is a part of our DNA at ABB. We believe that together, across the organisation and the industry, we can find innovative ways to solve complex problems.”
ABB Australia, Innovation Lead, Michael Briggs said ABB hopes to inspire people to share new ideas and take part in initiatives that make a true and lasting change.
“Innovation is a part of our DNA at ABB. We believe that together, across the organisation and the industry, we can find innovative ways to solve complex problems,” Briggs said.
“The opportunity to work closely with local NT businesses and the NT Government to blueprint a path to achieving the territory’s sustainability goals is an opportunity that we could not pass up.”
Territory Generation’s CEO, Gerhard Laubscher said, “Territory Generation is always proud to support innovation, which is what the 2021 National Innovation Games bring to the Northern Territory renewables space.
“As Northern Territory power systems continue to change with the growth of renewables, it is more important now than ever that power system stakeholders work collaboratively to innovate solutions to the challenges we face.”
ISACNT, General Manager Debbie Paylor added, “ISACNT is keen to support the Northern Territory Innovation Games as an opportunity for local businesses to explore the opportunities and challenges that are part of embracing renewable energies in their own business development and growth.”
The winning team from today’s Games will receive a six month incubator scholarship with the Darwin Innovation Hub (DIH). The scholarship will provide: access to DIH’s expert facilitators, including global industry leaders and mentors; professional business development workshops; and access to DIH member only events and workshops. The team that places second will receive a similar scholarship for a period of three months.
DIH Chief Operating Officer and Chair of the Territory Hydrogen Technology Cluster, Emma Nesbitt said, “The interest and participation in these Games highlights the growing desire of Territory businesses looking to transition into renewable energy, engaging their teams to become educated in the process as well as working collectively to develop sustainable solutions.”
Paddl Co. Chief Executive Officer, Dominique Fisher acknowledged the support of the Australian Government and series co-sponsors.
“At the conclusion of the National Innovation Games Northern Territory series, participants will have built a fantastic portfolio of solutions to support the transition to renewables, unlike anything we’ve seen in Australia,” Fisher said.
“It spans marketing and community awareness; audit monitoring and benchmarking; community owned energy projects; energy storage and control systems; and more.
“And thanks to our generous sponsors, the Games are free to all and the IP is open source!
“It’s a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that can lift the knowledge and understanding of renewables and importantly, fuel the transition to renewables for everyone, from small business and grassroots organisations to governments and global companies.
“A collaborative format that brings together a group of people with diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds, such as the National Innovation Games, is a fabulous way to harness the opportunity, whilst also ensuring the outcomes are sustainable and inclusive.
“The opportunities presented by decarbonisation are unparalleled in their collective scale and potential impact – from energy and transport to industry and farming. Australia and the Northern Territory in particular, can be at the forefront of these opportunities.
“The Games are also providing the next wave of talent with a unique, professional experience.
“The students, graduates and PhDs participating are from Charles Darwin University, and other universities and TAFEs around Australia.
“Paddl believes that the skills required for the future rely on being tech-savvy, having an innovative mindset and the ability to collaborate. These are all key elements of our Paddl Games model, which is the basis of the National Innovation Games.
“It’s rare to have the opportunity to bring a whole ecosystem together – all levels of government, globally recognised experts, academia, tertiary students and graduates, businesses of all sizes, small business owners and employees. The Games and Northern Territory have provided a model for how to do this. We are grateful to the Territory, our sponsors, our partner COSBOA and everyone involved.”
COSBOA Chief Executive Officer, Alexi Boyd highlighted the alignment between the National Innovation Games and COSBOA’s commitment to building resilient and sustainable small businesses and communities.
“The National Innovation Games are building vital connections between Australia’s small businesses, innovation support, and emerging talent in the Northern Territory,” Boyd said.
“Paddl’s innovation model is facilitating the development of open source IP that could prove invaluable for small businesses as they harness the opportunities and grapple with the challenges presented by decarbonisation.
“Whether they’re suppliers, service providers, product developers, employers, educators or simply consumers, the transition to renewables will have meaningful impacts on every small business.
“COSBOA is delighted to partner with Paddl, with the backing of the Australian Government, to deliver the National Innovation Games to support resilience and innovation in Australia’s small business sector.”
