Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy

RMIT University is committed to making a measurable impact on universal access and use of affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. In 2024, RMIT maintained 100% renewable electricity supply across its Australian campuses, reinforcing our leadership in clean energy.

Our researchers drive energy innovation with projects in solar conversion, hydrogen fuels, and grid integration, aiming to cut emissions and energy costs. 

RMIT also trains Victoria's clean energy workforce, producing graduates skilled in engineering, electrotechnology, sustainable design, and energy-efficient construction. With innovative earn-and-learn models and industry collaborations, we're preparing Victoria for a clean economy transition.

Highlights of recent SDG 7 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2024 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 23 MB), with our 10 years of reporting progress outlined on the Sustainability Annual Report webpage.

Broader sustainability contributions are also highlighted in our organisational Annual Report, which are tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

2024 Case Studies

Expand all sections

Energy@RMIT, a key theme within the Sustainable Technologies and Systems Enabling Impact Platform, unites researchers with expertise across the full spectrum of energy transition research. 

This includes exploring new materials for solar energy conversion and storage, modelling electricity networks to stabilise them amid high renewable penetration, and developing electric vehicle living labs for transport electrification. 

The team also focuses on creating new biofuels and addressing legal and economic challenges in new energy policies.

The five key research areas are:

  1. Advanced Energy Materials: Developing innovative materials for improved energy conversion and storage.
  2. Energy Systems and Modelling: Understanding and stabilising energy networks with increased renewable sources.
  3. Transport Electrification: Supporting the shift to electric vehicles through practical research environments.
  4. Bioenergy and Biofuels: Innovating sustainable fuel alternatives.
  5. Energy Policy and Economics: Analysing the legal and economic aspects of implementing energy transitions

Researchers at RMIT University, led by Dr Nasir Mahmood, have developed a novel, cost-effective process for generating hydrogen directly from seawater, a significant advance towards a truly viable green hydrogen industry. Unlike conventional methods that rely on energy-intensive desalination, this technique splits seawater into hydrogen and oxygen, dramatically reducing costs, energy usage, and carbon emissions. 

By employing specially designed catalysts, the process avoids toxic chlorine by-products and can operate efficiently at room temperature. Green hydrogen is a clean energy solution for sectors difficult to decarbonise, but current production is expensive and relies on freshwater, limiting scalability. RMIT’s method addresses these challenges, paving the way for large-scale, sustainable hydrogen production. 

A provisional patent has been filed, and the team is working with industry partners to develop a scalable prototype. The technology could enable Australia to meet its $2/kg hydrogen target, making green hydrogen competitive with fossil fuels.

RMIT University continues to lead in campus sustainability through the expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and the electrification of Building 80. 

In 2024, the University added 682 new solar panels across six major City campus buildings, generating a total of 426 MWh of renewable energy directly consumed onsite, lowering energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. These installations take advantage of the available roof spaces, maximising solar energy production. 

Concurrently, the Building 80 Electrification project upgraded infrastructure to phase out fossil fuels, integrating renewables and delivering an 83 per cent reduction in the building’s emissions. 

Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate RMIT’s ongoing commitment to practical climate action and operational energy efficiency, setting a benchmark for sustainable campus development.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2024 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 57 course units and 235 research projects aligned with SDG 7 in 2024, representing a wide range of clean and affordable energy topics. 

Other research insights are captured in the data below.

  • Course Units (Total): 57
  • Research Projects (Total): 235
  • International Research Partnerships (Total): 37
  • Publications (Total): 363
  • Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SJR (%): RMIT - 84.3 vs. Global Average - 65.3
  • Citations per Publication: RMIT - 5.1 vs. Global Average - 2.9
  • Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI): RMIT - 1.9 vs. Global Average - 1.4
  • National Publication Contribution (%): 6.4%
  • International Collaboration (%): RMIT - 77.4 vs. Global Average - 24.9
  • Developing Country Collaboration (%): 66%
  • Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%): 22%

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the aim to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

sdg-fleet.jpg

Centre of Excellence in future Low Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET)

Decreasing energy use is a grand challenge facing society. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET) is a partnership with Monash University that addresses this challenge by realizing fundamentally new types of electronic conduction without resistance in solid-state systems at room temperature.

sdg-honiara-project4.jpeg

Engineering solutions for informal settlements in Honiara, Solomon Islands

Based on technical site visits and self-identified community needs, RMIT University engineers from different disciplines are designing solutions to mitigate water, sanitation, drainage, waste, and flood risks in five highly vulnerable settlements in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

sdg-sustainable-water.jpeg

Sustainable water desalination using waste heat and renewable energy sources

The need for freshwater is considered a critical global problem, consequently the demand for alternative sustainable water sources including ground water, desalinated water, and recycled water has increased over recent years and, as a result, the implementation of desalination plants is growing on a large scale.

sdgs-supercity-nansha.JPG

Supercity Nansha

The Supercity Nansha project aims to explore and highlight the important role architecture can play in the context of sustainability and liveable spaces.

Load more +
Back to SDGs homepage
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information