MEDIA RELEASE
Brisbane, QLD, 10 July 2025 – Brisbane-based ocean technology company Blue Carbon has been awarded a competitive Industry Growth Program grant from the Australian Government to fast-track development of its breakthrough ocean technology that promises to revolutionise several marine sectors.
Blue Carbon’s oPod™ is an autonomous ocean device that harnesses wave, tidal, current and solar energy to address multiple marine challenges. The technology provides cool fresh water for aquaculture, delivers self-powered desalination solutions, enables coral reef cooling, and captures carbon – all without any external power source.
The Brisbane startup competed against hundreds of applicants for the prestigious grant, which supports small and medium enterprises advancing cutting-edge technologies for market deployment.
Dr Ana Novak, CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Carbon, said:
“This grant validates our approach of working with natural ocean forces rather than against them. Our oPod™ technology demonstrates that you can tackle climate challenges while creating genuine economic opportunities. This funding accelerates our journey from proven prototype to market-ready commercial deployment.”
Durability tests in Southern Tasmania in November 2024 showed the oPod-002 working in both calm (under 0.3m swell) and rough (3.5m+) seas.
The oPod has previously proven to bring water -8 degrees cooler than local surface temperatures in tropical Queensland waters.
Founded in March 2022, Blue Carbon has established itself as a leader in Australia’s emerging blue tech sector. The company’s ocean-powered approach eliminates ongoing operational energy costs while enabling deployment in remote locations where traditional powered systems would be impractical. The technology could help protect areas of the Great Barrier Reef from coral bleaching events.
The Industry Growth Program grant will enable Blue Carbon to advance from development phase to commercial-scale manufacturing and deployment. The program specifically supports businesses developing renewable and low-emission technologies.
Blue Carbon’s self-sufficient oPod™ addresses critical challenges facing Australia’s marine industries while creating new pathways for sustainable ocean-based economic activities.
This project is supported by the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program.
Find out more: about Blue Carbon’s oPod’s here.