Advanced Materials and Battery Council (AMBC)

Congratulations Alpha HPA on being shortlisted for the Innovator Award by the Gladstone Engineering Alliance. Alpha HPA uses unique processing techniques to sustainably produce ultra-high purity alumina – a crucial component in energy storage technologies. Innovations in processing are unlocking new opportunities for Australia’s Critical Minerals Sector. 

Australia will need new and better batteries to manage the renewable energy transition – and our local industries can meet the challenge.   Last week, an article from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) highlighted recent instances of renewable energy spillage during peak generation. ➡ Spillage occurs when too much energy is being generated for transmission lines to manage or when low prices induce suppliers to reduce output.   ➡ The inflexible nature of coal-fire power generation means its output can’t be modified to accommodate the renewable cycle, resulting in renewable energy being curtailed.   ➡ The AEMO forecasts 20% of renewable energy is expected to be spilled by 2050   Curtailment is to be expected due to the variable nature of renewable energy generation. Moreover, as coal-generation comes offline, space will be opened for renewables during peak generation periods. However, efficiently managing mismatches between energy supply and demand will remain a challenge. That’s where stationary storage batteries supply a solution due to their ability to time shift energy from peak generation to peak demand periods.   An expanding renewables sector is being accompanied by demand for energy storage solutions. This is an opportunity to grow our domestic manufacturing industries through incorporating local content into batteries.   Australia already has several companies who are partnering with local research expertise to develop technologies in battery component and cell manufacturing. Meanwhile, State and Federal governments are aiding the commercialisation and scaling of new technologies through their respective Battery Strategies.   With the right investment and collaboration, there is potential for Australia to expand its contributions across the battery value chain. The AMBC is working with government and industry to create a policy environment that will allow Australia’s Battery Industry to maximise its potential.   Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Energy and Climate, Ed Husic MP, Mick de Brenni https://lnkd.in/gad3QVHF

Congratulations Allegro Energy on securing $17.5 million in their Series A funding round led by The Grantham Foundation. Allegro Energy’s water-based redox flow battery is an example of the innovations being developed in Australia’s Battery Industry. We look forward to seeing them expand their manufacturing capability.  

Government investment in energy generation and storage can ensure a reliable NEM over the next decade – provided they keep up the pace. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) recently released their 2024 Electricity Statement of Opportunities Report (ESOO). It surveys current and committed investments to provide an outlook on grid reliability within the National Energy Market over the next decade. Our Takeaways: ➡ Federal and State government investment programs in new generation, transmission and storage must be delivered “in full and on time” if reliability risks are to be managed. ➡ The outlook has improved since the last ESOO. In the past year, 5.7GW of generation capacity has progressed to anticipated and committed status – of which batteries comprise 3.9GW. ➡ Consumer energy resources (CER) – meaning household solar and batteries, and certain EVs – will play an increasingly important role in grid stability. Some estimates predict CER will supply over 20% of total demand, and CER contribution to supply will reach 5 times the current supply by 2054. ➡ Queensland is leading the way in renewable energy delivery and supporting commercialisation of local battery technology. Our Outlook: The AEMO notes that “for longer duration peak demand events, battery storage duration will also influence the capability for battery projects to mitigate reliability risks." This is why evaluating and adopting long-duration batteries, like grid-scale flow batteries, will be crucial as fossil fuel generators are retired. Australia has several long-duration battery manufacturing proponents. Since its inception, the AMBC has highlighted the benefits of deploying locally manufactured products for economic development and jobs. As well as why policy support for the battery supply chain needs to be maintained to facilitate more local content in batteries. The AMBC is formulating its next stage of policy recommendations and contributions are welcome. 🔗 Find the full report linked in the comments. Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Energy and Climate, Department of Resources (Queensland), Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Ed Husic MP, Paul Martyn, Mick de Brenni, Michele Bauer, Carlye Sycz, Gavin Loyden, Dominic Spooner, Tom Northcott, Allegro Energy, Redflow.

ICYMI Vecco Group has finished installing its vanadium electrolyte at the Energex project in Berrinba, marking a new addition to QLD’s Flow Battery landscape. Vecco Group’s success is another example of Australia’s battery component manufacturing capability.

Last week’s AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference invited industry leaders and experts to discuss the future markets, and growth opportunities for Australia’s critical minerals sector.   Our Takeaways:   ➡ Supplying Local Markets: Local innovation is a source of demand for the critical minerals sector. McKinsey & Company and CSIRO identified Australia’s competitive potential in developing next-generation batteries for heavy transport and stationary storage – for which there are sizeable home markets. The AMBC also highlighted Australian-made innovations in aviation.    ➡ Developing Downstream Processing and Refining: Global EV markets also present opportunities for Australia’s critical minerals sector to extend its capabilities. We are already seeing Australia onshoring its refining and advanced materials manufacturing (cathode/anode/electrolyte) by developing cost-effective chemical processes to competitively supply global EV makers. With continued investment, Australia can become a leading exporter of value-added products.   ➡ Companies Cannot Exist in Isolation: Collaboration between industry, research and government will be essential in realising these opportunities. This includes building relationships between large mineral miners and smaller downstream processors, continued commercialisation of Australian research, and the maintance of a stable policy environment by State and Federal governments.   There is no shortage of potential in Australia’s Critical Minerals sector. Congratulations to AusIMM on the success of the conference - we look forward to next year. Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Resources (Queensland), Department of State Development and Infrastructure

The AMBC has issued a media release affirming our support for Flow Battery manufacturing. Flow Batteries will play an essential role in the energy transition, and provide manufacturing and mining jobs. The economic and social benefits warrant continued support from investors and government.

The global energy transition is creating new economic opportunities for Australia – with government investment support it can be realised.   Yesterday, the AMBC took part in the “Critical Minerals to Batteries: Understanding the Downstream” session at the AusIMM Critical Mineral’s Conference. Panellists included AMBC Director Lynette Molyneaux, and members Jeremy Peters General Manager of Vecco Group, and Lee Finniear CEO of Li-S Energy. As well as Andrew Napier General Manager - Technology Development at Lithium Australia . The panel was facilitated by Joshua Watts, PhD director of the QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Energy Storage Research Group. Panellists agreed that Australia can add value downstream to battery supply chains. Companies across Australia – including those represented in the discussion – are already harnessing local research expertise to develop new technologies. However, growing the sector cannot be left to markets alone.   Commercialising and scaling emerging projects will require government finance and policy support. The National Critical Minerals and Battery Strategies are a welcome suite of measures aiding local projects. Federal and state grants are already being used to demonstrate Australian technology works. The AMBC welcomes the existing government support and will continue to work with government in meeting the needs of the industry. Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of State Development and Infrastructure, Department of Energy and Climate, Department of Resources (Queensland), Ed Husic MP, Paul Martyn.

Major industry milestones are being showcased at the AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference. Managing Director Gavin Loyden just announced QEM Limited (ASX:QEM) have finalised a positive Scoping Study in its flagship Julia Creek Vanadium Mining project. Australia’s natural vanadium endowments are a key advantage in the development of Vanadium Flow Batteries. With their long-duration storage capabilities, these batteries will be critical in ensuring energy reliability as Australia undertakes its renewable energy transition. Congratulations QEM. Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Resources (Queensland) Department of State Development and Infrastructure.

New links are being made across the Advanced Materials and Battery Ecosystem.   On Wednesday, the AMBC hosted its monthly networking meeting. These events aim to expand the local battery industry by providing members with opportunities to forge connections across the value chain.   This meeting introduced several new members – three of whom, gave fascinating talks on their organisations.   Thank you Ionic Industries Ltd., SPARC Technologies, and AM2D | ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing with 2D Materials for your presentations, and welcome all new members. We also heard of the deep manufacturing capability of member Bosch Australia & New Zealand.   We look forward to learning more about your operations as we continue to grow the sector together. Department of Energy and Climate, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Resources (Queensland).