Decarbonisation Accelerated - Pitching a Low-Carbon Future with Extended Reality
DECARBONISING AUSTRALIA’S RESOURCE SECTOR
The Australian resources sector has been the backbone for global and domestic energy production for many decades. With the world moving towards net zero, many global mining companies are beginning to take the lead on lowering their carbon emissions, giving the mining supply chain an opportunity to take proactive action to lower carbon outputs and secure new business opportunities driven by decarbonisation.
Seeing this opportunity, Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE), along with other key regional partners, are working together to pursue economic opportunities in a low-carbon world with the launch of the Decarbonisation Accelerated project.
The action-focused project aims to support the Greater Whitsunday region in embracing decarbonisation and diversification to ensure that these market changes represent a regional opportunity - not a threat. To ensure success, the project’s vision needs to be shared by stakeholders in the region’s mining supply chain.
As part of achieving this, GW3 and RCOE partnered with the Queensland XR Hub and Advance Queensland for the Decarbonisation Accelerated XR Pitch Challenge, seeking to tap into Queensland’s immersive technology ecosystem to facilitate communication and adoption of the project.
THE XR CHALLENGE
How can XR or other immersive technologies be utilised to communicate to individuals and businesses involved in METS (Mining Equipment, Technology and Services) about how they can reduce their carbon outputs and how this contributes to the broader decarbonisation and diversification vision for the region?
THE WINNING SOLUTION
Out of a number of innovative pitches, Real Serious Games emerged as the winner with their solution ‘Decarbonising Paradise’.
Founded in 2009, Real Serious Games works at the forefront of Extended Reality technology, utilising the latest advancements to create immersive and interactive experiences. Their product range encompasses complete end-to-end solutions, from design to development, delivery and support.
With their proposal to use immersive technology to engage, educate and drive decarbonising activity in the greater Whitsunday region, Real Serious Games will go on to bring their proof of concept to life, receiving $80,000 in funding from GW3, RCOE, and Advance Queensland.
Congratulations to finalists BoostAR and Composit Design, who also pitched their innovations and facilitated XR demonstrations on the day. Demonstrations were also run by Motion Curve, KNEWK Entertainment, People Tech Revolution, and UQ Reality Labs.
From left to right: Jarrah Steen (GW3), Suman Mitic (Real Serious Games), Steven Boxall (CEO, RCOE), Clare McAlpine (GW3).
From left to right: Suman Mitic (Real Serious Games), Ben Breitenstein (Composit Design), Andrew Logan (BoostAR), Gemma White (Judge, BHP), Jenny Agnew (Judge, Sedgman), Cara Westerman (Judge, Business Chamber Queensland), Tony Knight (Judge, Department of Resources).
The event was a fantastic opportunity to bring together Queensland XR ecosystem with stakeholders from across the mining and METS industry to demonstrate the tech, innovation, and XR development happening right here in Queensland.
Read more about the Decarbonisation Accelerated project launch here.
ABOUT THE RESOURCES CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
RCOE was established to connect the brightest minds in research, technology, education and METS to shape the resources sector of the future. Born of strong partnerships between industry, governments, education providers, researchers, and community, the RCOE evidences “proof of life” to the fundamental construct that building strong collaboration is critical in shaping the future of the METS and resources sector. Through this collaboration, the RCOE provides world-class facilities for all things relating to resource development, with an underground mine simulated training and testing facility, emerging technology capabilities, quality training and conference facilities.
ABOUT GW3
The sole purpose of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) is to capitalise on the region’s economic potential. GW3 works closely with government and the private sector to create and develop new growth opportunities across multiple sectors. From traditional wealth powerhouses such as mining, agriculture and tourism to exciting emerging industries including aerospace, aquaculture and bioproducts, GW3 is motivated to secure investment in vital infrastructure and job-creating, future focused projects to build the bottom line for not just our region, but Queensland and Australia.