Batteries

Scientists at ANSTO together with Lithium Australia Limited (LIT) have developed a world-first technology to extract more lithium from lithium mining waste, in a game-changer for Australian lithium industry.  

Flat batteries could be a thing of the past thanks to lithium-ion battery nanotechnology developed by the University of Queensland. 

The Western Australian government has launched its strategy to support export growth in the areas of battery minerals, materials, technologies and expertise. The Australian Future Battery Industry Strategy was announced by WA premier Mark McGowan and state mines and petroleum minister Bill Johnston this week. McGowan said that increased demand for electric vehicles and energy … Continue reading WA government launches battery industry strategy →

A new trial at Sydney Water’s Bondi sewage pumping station will soon be storing renewable energy through the use of sodium-ion batteries, a cheaper alternative to the traditional lithium-ion batteries in use around the world. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) today joined with project participants to announce commissioning of the $10.6 million renewable energy … Continue reading Sodium ion battery could change the way we store energy →

Redflow’s ZBM2 zinc-bromine flow batteries have solved the problem of insufficient energy supply that was holding back a $4 million renovation of a heritage-listed building in central Adelaide. After architectural firm Williams Burton Leopardi bought the derelict 1916 Darling Building, largely neglected since the 1960s, they learned that the planned peak energy demand for the … Continue reading Building beats energy shortfall with Redflow batteries →

Australia could lead the world in re-using and recycling lithium-ion batteries. This would address a growing waste, which is increasing by 20 per cent each year. A new report, Lithium Battery Recycling in Australia, addresses growing demand for lithium-ion technology, currently used in vast quantities in electronic and household devices. Low battery recycling rates can … Continue reading Australia could lead lithium-ion battery recycling charge →

Australian battery company Redflow Limited has successfully started manufacturing core components for its zinc-bromine flow batteries at its new production facility in Thailand. During the past week, Redflow began producing electrode inserts made of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) plastic on the production line at the factory in the Hemaraj industrial estate, south east of Bangkok. … Continue reading Redflow starts making first battery components at Thai factory →

ESS a manufacturer of safe, low-cost and long-duration flow energy storage systems, announced that it has received $13 million in new Series B funding. The round includes new investors led by global chemical industry leader BASF, as well as Cycle Capital Management, Presidio Partners Investment Management aand InfraPartners Management. They were joined by ESS’s original … Continue reading ESS receives more funding to drive expansion of energy storage system →

Australian technology company, Calix, has announced it is the recipient of an Australian Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund award to produce advanced materials for lithium ion batteries, a major growth market over the coming decades. “As the world transitions to renewable energy there will be an increasing demand for efficient, cheap, and high-capacity electricity storage. This … Continue reading Company awarded funds to develop new technology for batteries →

Four years ago West Australia-based power utility Horizon Power saw that the electricity industry was in a state of flux and decided it wanted to be at the leading edge even it meant being a little unconventional. “Our plan included customers generating their own energy,” said Horizon Power’s Mike Houlahan. “We wanted customers to use … Continue reading Why embracing disruption is a good thing →

Melbourne start up business Relectrify is launching its ground-breaking new technology to repurpose used batteries from electric vehicles for extended use, including in behind-the-meter household energy storage, according to a CEFC media release. With a $750,000 equity investment from the Clean Energy Innovation Fund, Relectrify will develop and commercialise control technologies that optimise the use … Continue reading Relectrify develops new battery technology →

One of China’s largest automotive manufacturers is backing the expansion of a lithium-tantalum project in Western Australia. The Great Wall Motor Company has agreed a $28 million upfront equity subscription to Pilbara Minerals, under-pinning support of second-phase production to the company’s Pilgangoora mine. “This marks an important milestone for Pilbara and Pilgangoora project and is … Continue reading China’s $23b Great Wall invests in WA lithium →

Researchers have identified new solid materials that could lead to the manufacture of non-toxic lithium-ion batteries, according to a study recently published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Batteries are made of two oppositely charged electrodes separated by a liquid, gel-like, or solid ‘electrolyte’ medium through which electrically charged atoms, or ions, … Continue reading A new path to safer, solid batteries →

Energy Renaissance spent two years exploring several potential sites for Australia’s first lithium ion battery factory. The ongoing support of the Northern Territory Government is helping seal the deal to site the facility in Darwin. With planning for the facility heating up, reaching an agreement on support from the Northern Territory Government could not have … Continue reading Territory Govt supports call for Li-Ion factory in Darwin →

Tesla will build the world’s biggest lithium ion battery to be installed at a wind farm in South Australia before the end of the year. The successful tender was announced in the South Australian capital Adelaide today as a partnership between Tesla and French renewable energy company Neoen for the 100MW/129MWh battery at Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind … Continue reading Tesla to build ‘world’s biggest battery’ in Australia →

Ultra-thin, flexible screen-printed batteries for cheap portable devices and intermittent renewable energy are closer to reality, due to a joint UNSW-University of Queensland project to further develop technology by battery energy storage firm Printed Energy and bring it to market. Backed by the energy innovator and philanthropist Trevor St Baker, founder of ERM Power and … Continue reading Screen-printed batteries for renewables on the way →

Vector has won a multi-million-dollar Australian contract to supply the Territory Generation Alice Springs Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. Vector was one of a number of Australian and international firms bidding for the contract that will see it supply Australasia’s largest grid-tied lithium ion battery storage solution to stabilise and enhance generation on the … Continue reading Northern Territory seeks solution for battery storage →

As exploding batteries in mobile phones, computers and headphones continue to make headlines, researchers at Swinburne’s Centre for Micro-Photonics are one step closer to producing commercially viable, chemical-free, long-lasting, safe batteries.

STMicroelectronics, Chinese R&D institute IMECAS and EPOCH, a technology company working on electric-vehicle batteries are developing and marketing a battery-management system for New Energy Vehicles (NEV). The companies plan to develop a battery controller using advanced Smart Power (BCD) technology and the SPC5x automotive microcontrollers from ST. To be defined in close cooperation with Chinese … Continue reading Companies to develop battery management system for NEVs →

The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has confirmed it is working with the South Australian Government to develop a financing package to support the accelerated delivery of Australia’s largest grid-scale battery storage project, for the South Australian energy market.