Supply chain decarbonisation
The future of green freight and logistics in Australia
Swinburne University of Technology is emerging as a leader in the field of supply chain transformation and sustainability, a critical technological and societal priority area for organisations and governments worldwide.
Through a unique transdisciplinary approach, the University delivers industry and government end-to-end bespoke solutions to decarbonise supply chains. Commencing with detailed reviews and analyses of the stages required to decarbonise freight and logistics, working with wider stakeholders and understanding their needs, to solutions that leverage digital and AI-powered optimisation.
With over $5.6 million awarded to projects since 2022, Swinburne leverages its applied research capabilities in electrification and battery technology, as well as hydrogen, to deliver transformative decarbonisation outcomes.
Our key capabilities
Improved logistics planning and supply chain optimisation
Emission modelling and reporting – Establishing the baseline
Techno- and socio-economic assessment
Life cycle assessment for end-to-end carbon footprint
Sensing and analytics with the use of digital solutions
Transport electrification and sustainability
Deep-tech battery and charging technologies
Hydrogen modelling and economics
Our projects
Prospects for decarbonising freight transport in Australia: A comparative evaluation of electric and hydrogen vehicles powered from renewable energy
In partnership with The Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Art, and iMove CRC, Swinburne is developing a comparative evaluation of the energy and environmental performance of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell for freight vehicles using the GREET Life Cycle Assessment Model.
The life cycle is evaluated based on the processes involved in the raw material extraction, manufacturing and assembly, transportation and distribution, use, disposal and recycling.
Australian Total Cost of Ownership (TOC) of BEV, FCEV and Diesel Trucks, IVECO Trucks Australia
IVECO has partnered with Swinburne University of Technology's Victorian Hydrogen Hub, to review existing data and conduct original research between diesel, electric and hydrogen power generation technologies.
Emissions and economic modelling of NSW road and rail freight
Alongside the NSW Government and iMove CRC, this project has delivered in-depth emission modelling to develop baseline freight emissions and identify the economic benefits that will result from decarbonising the freight sector in NSW.
Swinburne was tasked with evaluating the feasibility of potential policy interventions and vehicle technologies (including electric batteries and hydrogen) and the economic impacts of interventions.
Clean fuels, lower emissions in red meat processing transport
In partnership with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), we’ve developed a cloud-based solution for data-integrated visualisation and analytics of transport emission and fuel efficiency of heavy vehicles.
In this project, heavy vehicles will be equipped with an IoT-based module and sensors to monitor heavy vehicle fuel consumption and GHG emissions.
A Portable Emission Monitoring System (PEMS) is in the design and development phase equipped with multiple sensors to validate the analytical tools. This digital solution allows freight operators to accurately report on their Scope1 emissions.
Swinburne partners with Scope3 on world-first logistics emissions project
Swinburne has partnered with Melbourne start-up Scope3 to develop a prototype system that will accurately collect and report real-time greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data in the transport and logistics supply chain.
The data gathered will provide insights into transport-generated GHG information, which is required by businesses to complete carbon accounting and climate risk analysis.
Managing the collection and analysis of GHG emissions data is a complex and diverse challenge for businesses, governments and industry. In particular, accurate GHG emissions data from transport emissions, accounting for the ‘last mile’ of a global supply chain, is not readily available and accessible for use.
Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub
At the Siemens Swinburne Energy Transition Hub, Swinburne researchers from New Energy Technology Research Group work towards exploring and discovering novel solutions for current technical energy challenges, while our industry fellows are utilising our novel scientific findings in practice.
The mission is to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable energy sector, with a focus on achieving Net-Zero targets and promoting the uptake of renewable energy sources. Our close partnership with industry provides a unique educating atmosphere for the students to build up a solid knowledge of engineering through our practice-based courses.
AI-Enhanced Energy Forecasting for Sustainable Transportation
Swinburne University of Technology, in collaboration with CSIRO, Bramec (National Instruments), and KIG Energy, successfully secured a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Association (ARENA) in 2021-22. The initiative focuses on the development of robust load forecasting algorithms aimed at optimizing building energy consumption.
Leveraging cutting-edge forecasting models and advanced analytics, the research aims to work on expanding the applications of these algorithms to the realm of sustainable transportation. With the goal of developing predictive models that estimate energy demands across various points along the supply chain, allowing for substantial reductions in carbon emissions and energy use.
Wireless Powered Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles
The uptake of electric trucks and buses is undoubtedly an urgent challenge in the reduction of transport emissions. Swinburne has partnered with ACE infrastructure, Australian Road Research Board (ARBB), Siemens, Net Zero Stack, RMIT, and Fleet Plant Hire to develop a solution to integrate dynamic wireless power transfer technology directly into road infrastructures, electrifying heavy-duty vehicles.
This collaborative initiative seeks to significantly advance the integration and adoption of heavy-duty electric vehicles within the transport sector. The project not only aims to minimise the carbon footprint of transport activity, but also cultivates a sustainable model that can be replicated globally, placing us at the forefront of ecologically responsible transport innovations.
Microgrid integration
Swinburne has recently conducted a project under the Federal Government’s Regional and Remote Communities Reliability Program Fund in collaboration with the Centre for New Energy Technologies (C4NET) and Powercor.
The study examines the stakeholder impact of microgrids within households and industrial, commercial, and agricultural locations. Solar generation units integrated with battery energy storage and conventional diesel generators were set up in Donald and Tarnagulla. The project conducted:
- Techno-economic analysis for different combinations of technology integration and associated power quality and reliability assessment
- Analysis of customer’s flexibility regarding supply security
- Examinations of regulatory requirements for de-energising and re-energising the microgrid.
Transition Towards Zero Emissions Heavy Vehicles: Analysis, Planning and Policy
Swinburne is working with the Commonwealth and State Governments of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to support Australia’s transition of the freight sector towards the adoption of low and zero-emissions heavy vehicles. This project aims to:
- Develop a detailed analysis of the total cost of ownership (TCO) for low and zero-emission heavy vehicles to allow Australian businesses to make an informed decision regarding their future fleet management
- Undertake a geospatial roadmap analysis for refueller and electric vehicle chargers
- Develop recommendations and policy directions for the transition towards low-carbon freight transport.
Swinburne partners with world-first crowdsourced delivery company
Swinburne has partnered with Passel, the world’s first crowdsourced delivery company, to develop advanced algorithms that will improve the company’s unique delivery service model. Aside from cutting the cost of deliveries, Swinburne’s contribution is also helping Passel address environmental issues associated with traditional couriers.
Creating our future transport and mobility workforce: Understanding the workforce implications of transport digitalisation and automation in Australia
Together with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional, Development, Communications & Arts and iMOVE CRC, Swinburne delivered a national study to develop a deeper understanding of the workforce implications resulting from the digitalisation, and automation of transport in the context of the Australian market.
This project comes in response to the evolving workforce requirements in the face of increasing adoption of digital technologies in transport including planning, implementation, and management of services, products, and networks for transport and mobility use.
The project contributed to the understanding of the extent of these issues and attempted to summarise current and prospective skills and training needs in the transport and mobility sector, and identifying pathways in which any gaps could be addressed — with a key focus on the skills needed to enable greater digitisation (and the productivity it unlocks).
Educational programs
Swinburne has partnered with international leading logistics and freight management company, CEVA, to co-create and co-deliver its Master of Supply Chain Innovation course in an Australian-first collaboration.
Delivered through Swinburne’s Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship (AGSE), the Master of Supply Chain Innovation continues to build collaborative partnerships with industry that will prepare graduates for the future of supply chain management.
Swinburne hosts a dedicated carbon literacy team that offered Victoria's first-ever carbon literacy training (CLT) in 2021. Completing six rollouts in 2023, the training team, consisting of two accredited carbon literacy trainers, has produced 100 carbon literates who have pledged approx. 100T of carbon reduction.
This marked Swinburne School of Business, Law and Entrepreneurship as an awarded carbon literate organisation by the carbon literacy project, UK, which is a global organisation recognised by the UN at COP21 in Paris where it was awarded as a TAP100, one of 100 worldwide Transformative Action Programs.
Swinburne’s CLT team also contributes to the ABDC-PRME climate action working group.
Carbon literacy teaches facts to facilitate action, it goes beyond knowing and includes emotional and behavioural enablers. Anyone who wants to learn more about the impact of their activities on the climate and how to reduce their emissions can receive this training. They include:
- Individuals who want to make more sustainable choices in their personal lives
- Employees of businesses and organisations that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint
- Community leaders who want to help their communities transition to a more sustainable future
- Policymakers who want to develop and implement effective climate policies.
To register your interest for our next Carbon Literacy Training course, please email clt@swinburne.edu.au.
Learn LabVIEW
This comprehensive course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of electrified transportation. Our training programs are guided by seasoned experts from Swinburne, National Instruments, and Braemac.
Participants will embark on a strategic learning journey, delving deep into the world of LabVIEW, a powerful software platform for system design and integration. Through a carefully curated blend of theoretical concepts and hands-on practical exercises, attendees will gain a holistic understanding of LabVIEW's applications in electrification.
The course will cover a wide range of topics, including system design, data acquisition, sensor integration, and control systems development. Participants will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects, enabling them to apply their newfound knowledge directly to the electrification of heavy-duty fleets.
Learn PSS®E
Guided by a team of seasoned specialists from Swinburne, Siemens, and the SSET Hub, the training will embark on an immersive experience that seamlessly blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical exercises. It's a learning adventure that equips you with the skills and insights needed to become a master of electric transportation grid studies.
There are three levels of training (basic, intermediate and expert) that are available in the form of short courses. This experience paves the way to mastering electric transportation grid studies, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to steer through the dynamically evolving realm of electrified transport, contributing effectively to a decarbonized future.
Contact us for more information on these courses.
Key researchers
Need more information?
We welcome you to get in touch with our lead researcher Hadi Ghaderi on +61 3 9214 4316 or via hghaderi@swinburne.edu.au