During the launch, Minister Husic announced Li-S Energy had been awarded an Industry Growth Program (IGP) Commercialisation and Growth Grant of $1.7 million to develop Australia’s first lithium foil production facility.

Related article: Li-S Energy announces plan for 200MWh battery facility

Li-S Energy is an Australian company, commercialising unique Australian IP from Deakin University for lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries, which are far lighter than the comparable lithium-ion batteries. The batteries offer key performance advantages where weight is critical, such as in drones, electric aviation and defence applications.

The new state-of-the-art production facility is the largest of its kind in Australia, installed inside Australia’s largest battery dry room. Built at a cost of over $10 million, the facility spans the entire production process from creating and coating cathode powders to final cell fabrication and testing.

With the support of the IGP Grant announced by Minister Husic, Li-S Energy plans to extend beyond its cell manufacturing capability to produce high-quality lithium foils and laminates from lithium metal ingots.

Lithium metal foil is used as the anode for both lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries, but current imported supply has limited quality and is not optimised for Li-S cells. This will be a new sovereign manufacturing capability for Australia, reducing supply chain risk and increasing the value of Australia’s advanced battery material exports.

Related article: Li-S Energy wins $1.35M grant for ‘dawn to dusk’ drone

Li-S Energy CEO Dr Lee Finniear said, “Australia currently produces 52% of the world’s lithium ore, yet much of this is exported without adding additional value.

“With global demand for lithium metal foil forecast to reach US$51 billion by 2032, Australia has a unique opportunity to capitalise on this emerging market to produce lithium foils here, adding value here, before exporting this high-value product to global markets.”

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Representatives from industry, governments and organisations are invited to provide written feedback on the B-cycle Scheme Review Consultation Paper.

Related article: AGL explores battery recycling for Hunter Energy Hub

The review of B-cycle is being conducted because the scheme recognises market changes and the evolving risk profile of batteries, necessitating adaptations to the current Scheme design.

By implementing changes proposed in the Scheme Review, B-cycle aims to achieve its mission of establishing a circular economy for batteries in Australia.

In preparation for this Scheme review and consultation, BSC acknowledges:

• B-cycle has built a solid foundation for improving battery stewardship and for leveraging our experience and learnings since launch in early 2022
• The current Scheme Design is limited in its ability to deliver BSC’s mission to create a circular economy for batteries given the degree of market change and the changing risk profile of batteries
• The current Scheme Design does not provide adequate financial arrangements necessary for a range of market and economic changes and trends
• Regulation will be needed to ensure full participation in the Scheme and prevent free riding.

Related article: Aussie startup targets lithium battery recycling traceability

Once feedback is received, BSC will refine the proposed scheme design and conduct further consultation as needed. The final approach will be informed by industry feedback and subject to approval by the BSC Board, and the authorisation of the ACCC, to launch B-cycle 2.0 in July 2025.

The deadline for written feedback on the consultation paper is Friday, 2 August 2024. All written feedback can be submitted here.

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The factory will produce 300 batteries a year and create 300 jobs on the Gold Coast, capable of serving up to 100 Queensland households with reliable and cheaper renewable energy.

Related article: For a ‘future made in Australia’, we need more innovation and diverse people in science and tech

eLumina CEO Lisa Marsh said onshore manufacturing of critical EV technology, such as chargers and batteries, was essential to Australia’s energy future.

“Global demand for batteries is soaring. We have record solar uptake and energy generation in Australia, but we need battery storage at scale to harness its full potential,” she said.

“Through battery storage we can capture this energy and ensure reliable and cheaper off-grid power to all Australians. This insulates communities from power outages and saves them money.

“Queensland has the potential to become a world leader in next-generation battery manufacturing and research and development. Our centre is just the start of that. We are committed to making a fundamental difference to Australia’s clean energy economy.

“We’re building this facility using local talent and locally sourced parts and materials. Once it’s completed, it will support 300 high-skilled jobs, which will draw on the region’s talent.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Gold Coast had an ambitious plan to secure a larger slice of the clean energy sector and the high skilled jobs it’s creating.

“Our Economic and Climate Resilience and Sustainability Strategies are all about backing the Gold Coast to use renewable energy and boost the uptake of renewables.

“I’m excited to see the thousands of EV chargers and batteries set to be deployed in Australia over the coming years to be stamped ‘Made on the Gold Coast’.”

Related article: The government’s cash splash aims to kickstart Australia’s battery industry. Has it flipped the right switches?

To accelerate the deployment of its EV chargers across the country, eLumina has partnered with Addelec (formerly known as Gemtek), a leading installer of EV charging stations with national asset management capabilities.

The factory is set to be operational by August 2024.

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Australia has a new National Battery Strategy, unveiled last week as a key part of the government’s Future Made in Australia agenda. The vision is for this country to be making batteries with secure supply chains by 2035.

It makes perfect sense for Australia to pursue domestic battery manufacturing.

Australia has all the ingredients needed to create a booming battery industry: abundant minerals, a strong resource sector, renewable energy resources, manufacturing know-how, trading partners and a skilled workforce. Now it’s time to get cooking.

But building a thriving national battery supply chain and local manufacturing industry won’t happen overnight. While new money is important for any new industry, what’s been missing is overarching government co-ordination. Otherwise it could mean spending a lot of money to little effect.

Related article: Australian Government announces National Battery Strategy

Pouring new money into battery action

Last week’s federal budget contained plenty of new money for batteries:

• $523.2 million for a “Battery Breakthrough” to help manufacturers build capability in crucial areas. They will be paid to focus on high-value battery products that align with Australia’s areas of advantage and support the climate energy transition.
• $20.3 million for “Building Future Battery Capabilities” to develop skills and expertise through stronger national collaboration. This includes funding to deliver a supply chain navigator tool. There’s also a battery innovation and scale-up program, best practice guidelines and standards, and battery industry skills and training.
• $5.6 million to deliver an “Australian Made Battery Precinct” in partnership with the Queensland government. The plan is ultimately to invest up to $100 million in the precinct.
• $1.7 billion for the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund. It will support innovation, commercialisation, pilot and demonstration projects and early-stage development in priority sectors. This includes manufacturing clean energy technologies such as batteries.

We need more energy storage

Electricity storage will be crucial for decarbonising the global energy sector. It also underpins emissions reductions across the wider economy by enabling other sectors such as transport and heavy industry to be electrified.

Batteries cut costs for the dynamic electricity market and support the energy transition. Renewables remain the lowest-cost energy source in Australia.

There’s plenty of demand for batteries. We need more storage in our energy system right now.

Australia currently has 1.7GW of energy storage capacity. Our forecasts suggest we’ll need a whopping 14.9GW of storage by 2030, and 30.5GW by 2040. That’s on the lowest-cost pathway for Australia to play its part in limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

This means Australia is importing batteries while our emerging battery industry develops.

With government support Australia can develop onshore battery manufacturing at scale. This will give Australia better access to clean technologies while making more use of mineral resources. Such a strategy is key to making best use of opportunities in the transition to a net-zero global economy.

However, the history of the automotive industry in Australia shows domestic industries face substantial global competition. The challenge ahead is developing the skilled battery manufacturing workforce to harness available mineral resources.

Australia has strong university and private technology industry sectors, so we should be able to pull it all together. Building a skilled workforce creates social and economic benefits, and can be a source of national pride.

Related article: Labor delivers biggest clean energy Budget in history

Co-ordinating cooks in the kitchen

Other countries are looking to build their own battery industries too. However, Australia can leverage an enormous advantage in critical minerals and energy resources. By joining with trading partners, Australia can provide “green” minerals and batteries to the world.

There is also an opportunity to align with solar manufacturing and other high-tech industries, which will support Australia’s ambition to become a renewable superpower.

The National Battery Strategy can contribute to decarbonising and building a prosperous nation that offers secure work for Australians. Australia’s deployment of battery storage can help make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime green economy transformation.

This will require co-ordination across governments and industry. Along with Future Made in Australia, there’s the National Reconstruction Fund and government support through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

The strategy unveiled yesterday is a solid step towards the nation achieving its energy storage goals. Importantly, too, it can help ensure Australia’s industrial and manufacturing heartlands remain competitive in a net-zero world.

Disclosure statement: The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons

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Minister for Industry and Science The Hon. Ed Husic said, “The global demand for batteries is set to quadruple by 2030 as the world transitions to net zero. Australia is already a leading producer of battery minerals, providing approximately 45% of the world’s lithium in 2023. While we mine critical minerals here, we currently make less than 1% of global battery materials or components.

Related article: Labor delivers biggest clean energy Budget in history

“The National Battery Strategy builds on Australia’s existing strengths and provides a pathway to move up the battery value chain and capitalise on key opportunities—such as manufacturing stationary energy storage systems and higher value battery active materials, building battery safety and security, and continuing to develop emerging battery chemistries. This will allow Australia to capture a once in a generation opportunity presented by a thriving domestic battery industry.”

The National Battery Strategy aims to see Australia become a globally competitive producer of batteries and battery materials by 2035, providing secure and resilient battery supply chains, delivering affordable and secure energy for Australians, boosting productivity and creating wealth and opportunity while being part of the global energy transition.

Five key priorities under the strategy include:

• Building battery manufacturing capabilities in ways that strengthen economic resilience, leverage Australia’s comparative advantages and add value to our economy.
• Building knowledge and skills to create secure Australian-made jobs.
• Securing Australia’s place in global battery supply chains.
• Leading the world on sustainability, standards and the circular economy.
• Bringing all levels of government together.

2024-25 Federal Budget funding

Funding of $523.2 million will incentivise the production of high-value battery products in Australia’s areas of advantage, such as stationary energy storage, to strengthen economic resilience and support critical battery manufacturing capabilities.

$20.3 million will help build future battery capabilities and strengthen national collaboration, including $9.9 million to the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC) to map Australian battery capability and value chains, drive battery innovation and scale-up and deliver best practice guidelines and standards for the battery industry. $10 million will go to the Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre (PAIGC) to develop workforce skills and training to enable a safe and sustainable battery industry.

Related article: Australia invests in resource mapping for energy transition

$5.6 million has been committed to conduct foundational work to support the establishment of the Australian Made Battery Precinct, in partnership with the Queensland Government. This will help realise the Australian Government’s commitment to invest up to $100 million in the precinct.

The Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund will see $1.7 billion boost the deployment of innovation in priority industries, which includes clean energy technologies such as batteries manufacturing.

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The new ownership will allow Brisbane-based Redback Technologies to continue creating  renewable energy solutions, furthering its dedication to providing clean, affordable power.

Related article: Redback Technologies enters voluntary administration

Redback’s local tech support and warranty teams continue to support installers with Redback Technologies’ systems. Importantly, all Redback warranty policies remain intact and unaffected by this change.

“Redback Technologies extends its deepest appreciation during the voluntary administration period to its network of distributors, installers, partners, and supporters across Australia and New Zealand,” the company said in a statement.

“The outpouring of support from homeowners, installers, distributors, partners, and stakeholders has been humbling, and the company sincerely thanks all those involved for their unwavering dedication.

“This new chapter of Redback Technologies provides a platform to continue to invest in leading edge technology and also maximise the global relationships that Australia Ebon group holds.”

Related article: EV charging firm Tritium appoints administrators

Redback says its team is already hard at work finalising the release of its next-generation hybrid battery system.

Australia Ebon Group is a fintech based in Australia that provides a comprehensive suite of financial services including cross-border payments, foreign exchange, and blockchain solutions.

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Under the agreement, Energy Vault will deploy both a 50MW/100MWh BESS and a 150MW/300MWh BESS at ACEN Australia’s 720MW New England Solar—one of the largest solar projects to participate in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

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The BESS will be charged and discharged on a daily basis and designed to dispatch stored renewable energy at peak consumption hours to help meet the high demand during New South Wales’ peak load hours, while reducing the region’s reliance on coal-fired power generation.

Currently supported by the NSW Government’s Emerging Energy Program, the New England BESS project is a part of ACEN’s broader strategy in Australia, where they are actively developing over 1GW of projects.

ACEN Australia’s New England Solar, located near Uralla, completed Stage 1 of construction in 2023, when 400MW of solar generation was officially brought online. Upon completion of Stage 2, the site will generate a total of 1,800GWh of renewable electricity annually.

Construction on both deployments is expected to begin in the second half of 2024, with commercial operations expected in 2025 and 2026. The agreements are under final contract procedural preparation, and expected to be executed and closed formally within the first half of May 2024.

ACEN Australia managing director David Pollington said, “Energy Vault was selected for these projects due to their impressive track record and we are thrilled to leverage their depth of expertise in design, engineering, construction and procurement.

Related article: SmartestEnergy and ACEN ink PPA for New England Solar

“Energy Vault’s ability to work with our Siemens S120 converters will be particularly valuable as we optimise our battery storage systems for maximum efficiency and impact.”

The BESS deployments, developed under Energy Vault’s B-VAULT suite of fully integrated battery energy storage solutions, will be coupled with a Siemens S120 inverter, which enables advanced grid support functionalities such as voltage and frequency ride-through, grid support during disturbances, and reactive power control.

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Related article: New water batteries could rival fire-prone Lithium-ion

The company has completed a comprehensive series of nail penetration tests using multi-layer 2.5Ah lithium sulfur cells built on the company’s Phase 2 micro-production line at Geelong in Victoria.

A total of 28 cells were tested, with the cells exceeding the nail penetration test requirements of the civilian UL2271 and UL2580 standards and the United States Military Performance Specifications MIL-PRF-32383/4X requested by the company’s aerospace partners.

Nail penetration tests involve penetrating the battery cell with a steel nail under precise conditions in a blast-proof test chamber. The purpose is to determine what happens to a battery cell if it is damaged, for example in an accident or if there is an internal short circuit.

Nail penetration is one of a suite of safety tests that are scheduled to be undertaken as $10 million Li-S’s Phase 3 production facility s commissioned, and these early results from the smaller Phase 2, 2.5Ah cells illustrate one of the key safety benefits of our Li-S cell technology.

Li-S Energy CEO Dr Lee Finniear said there was a range of benefits for the company’s partners.

“Amid growing public concern about the safety of lithium-ion batteries and battery fires, delivering a safe battery is vitally important,” he said.

“In our target markets of drones, electric aircraft and defence, a battery fire could be catastrophic, and these results show our partners that Li-S Energy battery cells are safe when penetrated and continue to work even after being damaged.”

Mark Xavier, CEO of V-TOL Aerospace, an Li-S Energy technology partner, said that these results will have a major impact on the civilian and military drone industry.

Related article: Swedes spruik ‘best-in-class’ 160Wh/kg sodium-ion battery

“The ability to safely and reliably operate and transport drone technology is heavily reliant on battery stability. The Li-S Energy GEN3 cell nail penetration test results indicate a far better risk profile than current battery technology which I believe will save lives and improve operational performance. We are looking forward to trialling the GEN3 cells in the coming months as part of our collaboration program with Li-S Energy.”

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The battery units are a critical component for the project and will store and release energy so it can act as a ‘shock absorber’ for the energy system in the case of events like lightning strikes.

Related article: Waratah Super Battery gets technical green light from AEMO

The Waratah Super Battery is one of the largest battery storage projects in the world and will ultimately include around 2,600 of the units.

Shipments will continue to arrive at the Port of Newcastle and be transported to the site over the next several months.

The Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) is leading delivery the Waratah Super Battery, which is a Critical State Significant Infrastructure declared project and a key part of the NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap to deliver a smooth transition to renewable energy.

Akaysha Energy is responsible for the battery’s construction, which began in May 2023.
There are currently over 170 workers on site for the project, and many of its functional components are already in place.

In February, the first of three ‘super load’ transformers arrived onsite, and earlier this month the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) granted Generator Performance Standard approval for the project.

Transgrid is connecting the Waratah Super Battery to the grid via its existing Munmorah substation and carrying out upgrades to the NSW transmission network to enable the operation of the battery.

The Waratah Super Battery is on track to be fully operational by August 2025.

Related article: Akaysha Energy: Powering Australia’s renewables transition

EnergyCo executive director network planning and technical advisory Andrew Kingsmill said, “This is a significant milestone because it’s the first shipment of equipment that will store the energy in the battery.

“The Waratah Super Battery will play a crucial role in supporting energy security in NSW by managing disruptions to the system, enabling more electricity supply through the existing grid.”

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The cutting-edge instruments, worth more than a combined $20 million, were unveiled
today by Dr Carina Garland MP, Member for Chisholm, at the Monash Centre for
Electron Microscopy (MCEM) at the university’s Clayton campus.

Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables

The microscopes were custom-built by Thermo Fisher Scientific, and two are globally
unique and enable unparalleled capabilities.

The technology underpins the development of vital materials needed for high-speed
computer chips, better batteries, more efficient solar panels, biodegradable plastics, communication devices, lighter, stronger metals for energy-efficient aircraft alloys, and green technologies, such as cleaner mineral extraction.

“Almost everything we use in our daily lives—from toothpaste and cars, to mobile
phones—is made from materials engineered with the help of electron microscopes,”
said Science Director of MCEM and Australian Laureate Professor in the School of
Physics and Astronomy, Professor Joanne Etheridge.

“This new suite of electron microscopes is even more powerful, revealing features that could not be seen before. This is vital for accelerating the development of new and better materials to advance technologies that underpin every aspect of life and society, from energy to health, transport, computing and communications.”

The new instruments have already revealed how next generation, high-efficiency solar
cell materials degrade at the atomic scale in order to develop solutions that last much longer, and the origin of the ultra-high-strength properties of a new titanium alloy designed for additive manufacturing.

Related article: CSIRO achieves record efficiency for printed solar cells

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure), Professor Jacek Jasieniak, said MCEM
was a leading research facility, renowned worldwide.

“These are revolutionary instruments and a powerful new addition to our world-class
Monash research platforms. We look forward to the new scientific discoveries they will enable,” Professor Jasieniak said.

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According to the 2024 Annual SunWiz Australian Battery Market Report, a record 57,000 battery systems, or energy storage systems, were installed in Australian homes in 2023.

This represented 21% growth on installation levels from the previous year, 2022, and saw a record-setting 656MWh of residential battery capacity come online.

This capacity was increased by a record-breaking level of installations in businesses— 402MWh, on top of which, grid-scale projects, publicly known as big batteries, totalled a record 1,410MWh of capacity installed.

Related article: Northern Territory claims highest take-up of solar batteries

All together, a record total of 2,468MWh of energy storage capacity was deployed in Australia in 2023. As the typical home uses 20kWh per day, the batteries installed in 2023 were enough to meet the energy needs of 125,000 homes.

SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said the report demonstrates batteries are already reshaping our energy supply.

“2023 was the year of the big battery, with deployment levels at twice their previous record. 2024 will be even bigger, with the capacity currently under construction at six times the amount at the same point last year,” Johnston said.

“Despite the massive year for grid-scale storage, home energy storage systems still remain the largest cumulative source of battery capacity, at least for the time being.”

A whopping 254,550 battery storage systems have been installed in homes in Australia from 2015 to 2023 inclusive, totalling 2,770MWh of residential storage. Added to this is 593MWh of storage at businesses and 2,603 MWh of storage at grid-scale big batteries over 10MWh. All combined, this is a total of 5,966MWh of battery storage installed since 2015.

“Home batteries, or home energy storage systems, soak up excess solar energy during the day and allow it to be used in the evening and overnight. This helps households avoid high peak electricity prices and make the most of their solar power.

“The economic value of batteries is also increasing as the gap widens between what power companies charge for electricity and what they pay for Australian homeowners’ excess solar energy. Batteries also provide security against localised blackouts, which are increasing in frequency due to damaging extreme weather, due to climate change.”

“The benefit of batteries reaches far beyond their owners: batteries can also help stabilise electricity grids and facilitate further installations of low-cost solar power.”

Related article: AEMC draft rule to accelerate smart meter rollout

Key report findings

• The combined tally of 2,468MWh of battery capacity, or energy storage systems, installed across Australia in 2023 makes it a record year.
• A record-setting 57,000 home battery systems, or energy storage systems, were installed in 2023, a 21% increase on 2022’s figures. This was equivalent to a record-setting 656MWh of home energy storage systems.
• There was also a record-breaking contribution to the year’s tally from businesses—402MWh of capacity was installed within the National Electricity Market recorded in the AEMO Distributed Energy Resources Register.
• The year was also dominated by grid-scale projects over 10MWh, or big batteries, with capacity installed totalling a record 1410MWh.
• The ratio of battery installations to solar installations was 17%. Meaning there was one energy storage system installation for every six solar system installations. This ratio is up 15% in 2022.

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Lithium-ion energy storage dominates the market due to its technological maturity, but its suitability for large-scale grid energy storage is limited by safety concerns with the volatile materials inside.

Related article: ACCC issues proposed recall of LG solar storage batteries

Lead researcher Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma said their batteries were at the cutting edge of an emerging field of aqueous energy storage devices, with breakthroughs that significantly improve the technology’s performance and lifespan.

“What we design and manufacture are called aqueous metal-ion batteries—or we can call them water batteries,” said Ma, from RMIT’s School of Science.

The team use water to replace organic electrolytes, meaning their batteries can’t start a fire or blow up, unlike their lithium-ion counterparts.

“Addressing end-of-life disposal challenges that consumers, industry and governments globally face with current energy storage technology, our batteries can be safely disassembled and the materials can be reused or recycled,” Ma said.

The simplicity of manufacturing processes for their water batteries helped make mass production feasible, he said.

“We use materials such as magnesium and zinc that are abundant in nature, inexpensive and less toxic than alternatives used in other kinds of batteries, which helps to lower manufacturing costs and reduces risks to human health and the environment.”

The team has made a series of small-scale trial batteries for numerous peer-reviewed studies to tackle various technological challenges, including boosting energy storage capacity and the lifespan.

The batteries now last significantly longer—comparable to the commercial lithium-ion batteries in the market—making them ideal for high-speed and intensive use in real-world applications.

“With impressive capacity and extended lifespan, we’ve not only advanced battery technology but also successfully integrated our design with solar panels, showcasing efficient and stable renewable energy storage,” Ma said.

Related article: Swedes spruik ‘best-in-class’ 160Wh/kg sodium-ion battery

Ma said the team’s batteries were well suited for large-scale applications, making them ideal for grid storage and renewable energy integration—especially in terms of safety considerations.

As part of an ARC Linkage project, Ma’s team is continually developing their water batteries in collaboration with industry partner, GrapheneX, a tech innovator based in Sydney.

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The funding, sourced from the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund, will see 12 new local network-connected batteries installed across the state.

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The package will also enable the installation of two flow batteries from Queensland manufacturers. This will enable Energy Queensland to help develop a local battery industry, provide a proving ground for the technology developing pathways for flow battery inclusion in future battery programs.

Stage one of the program delivered five network-connected batteries built at Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Townsville and Yeppoon.

Stage two is currently in delivery, with battery construction underway on 12 batteries in Cairns (two sites), Townsville, Mackay, Emerald, Mundubbera, Gladstone, Howard, Toowoomba, Raby Bay, Morayfield and Bribie Island in the Brisbane area.

Stage three will deliver 12 additional 4MW/8MWh batteries. Energy Queensland will now scope locations, with Mooloolaba, Runaway Bay, Cornubia; Jimboomba, Woodridge, Yatala, Barcaldine, Dalby Central, Glenella, Toowoomba, Milchester and Maryborough currently being considered.

Stage four includes the trial of two flow batteries. Sites are currently being considered in Burrum Heads and Ipswich.

These batteries are in areas with high solar penetration and will be used to support the energy network during times of peak demand.

Related article: New premier, new emissions reduction target for Queensland

Premier Steven Miles said, ”Queenslanders are world leaders when it comes to rooftop solar. We have the highest rate of rooftop solar anywhere in Australia so it’s only night that we equip our energy network to keep pace with the high rates of solar generation.

“This battery program is fundamental to our success in achieving 70% renewable energy by 2030, and net zero emissions by 2050.”

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Related article: Applications open for $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program

In financial year 2022-23, ARENA approved funding of $544.1 million to 60 projects valued at over $3.5 billion, representing the agency’s largest value of funds approved in a single year.

ARENA’s funding was driven by the project assessment and approval process for three funding rounds:

• The Large-Scale Battery Storage (LSBS) funding round—$176.4 million in funds approved to eight projects, which included $60 million of additional funding provided by the Australian Government to expand the funding round.
• The Ultra Low-Cost Solar Research & Development (ULCS) funding round—$41.5 million in funding approved to 13 projects.
• The HyGATE hydrogen funding round—$50 million in funding approved to four projects.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the numbers highlighted the importance of ARENA’s role in Australia’s energy transition.

“At ARENA we’re helping to fast-track Australia’s transition to net zero by 2050. The fact we’re seeing more funding go out to projects highlights the fact that industry is ready and able to tackle this challenge with us. Together we’re getting on with the business of renewables,” Miller said.

“With these 60 approved projects alone, we’re looking at total project cost of over $3.5 billion—a significant scale up from previous years and a positive sign of commitment from the sector.

“ARENA’s expertise, deep understanding of the renewable energy sector and willingness to fund innovative and ground-breaking projects means the agency can provide a pathway to commercialisation for many new technologies and businesses that would otherwise struggle to get off the ground or be potentially lost to overseas markets.”

On top of the approved funding, ARENA also opened new funding rounds and Federal Budget measures, including:

• Community Batteries Round 1—$120 million in funding
• The Hydrogen and Iron and Steel Research and Development Funding Rounds—$50 million in funding
• The 2023 Focus Areas of the Driving the Nation Program—$70 million in funding
• The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Funding Initiative—$30 million in funding
• The Industrial Energy Transformation Studies program—$43 million in funding.

Related article: ARENA invests $50m in green hydrogen and steel research

ARENA will also deliver the $400 million Powering the Regions Industrial Transformation Stream and has recently opened applications for the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program.

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