The Queensland Government has unveiled a $24 million investment into flow batteries from local manufacturers, supporting the next stage of Queensland’s local battery capabilities.
The new battery initiatives will employ zinc-bromine and iron flow technologies, which are alternatives to the more conventional lithium-ion battery systems, predominantly produced offshore.
Redflow will receive $12 million for zinc-bromine flow battery with the preferred site identified at Ipswich. Meanwhile, Energy Storage Industries – Asia Pacific (ESI) will receive $12 million for iron flow battery, with the preferred site identified as Wide Bay.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the State Government is supporting local manufacturing of batteries as it means more jobs in more regions of the State.
“Queensland business Redflow recently received investment from the Californian Energy Commission to deliver a 20-megawatt hour storage project,” Premier Palaszczuk noted.
“These projects build on our announcement to trial a vanadium flow battery in partnership with Vecco and Sumitomo Electric,” she stated.
She warned that if the State Government fails to support investments in Queensland batteries, the investments will go offshore.
Energy Minister Mick de Brenni commented, “These new zinc-bromine and iron flow battery projects are an important part of the transformation of Queensland’s energy system to deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to provide power for generations.”
Minister de Brenni said through initiatives like these, the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is bringing more jobs to the State and revitalising Queensland’s domestic manufacturing sector.
“These new flow battery projects are just one of the ways we are enabling the transition to a low carbon energy future and, ultimately, helping to keep electricity prices down,” Minister de Brenni added.
Energy Queensland‘s network battery program intends to assist local Queensland companies in developing local industries in battery storage technologies, which are critical for the energy transition.
“The new zinc-bromine and iron flow battery projects are an important trial for Energy Queensland as it is a step towards diversifying our overall battery program away from the more commonly available lithium battery systems,” Energy Queensland Chief Engineer Peter Price said.
He noted, “Explorating flow batteries will help us to understand the benefits of emerging battery storage technology.”
Redflow CEO and Managing Director Tim Harris commented, “As a proud Queensland business with world leading technology developed right here in Queensland, we are excited to be working with Energy Queensland to further validate our energy storage technology and its importance to the transition to net zero targets.”
Harris said that vast amounts of stationary energy storage would be required to meet the State Government’s renewable targets and implement the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“The Queensland Government Battery Industry Opportunities for Queensland discussion paper highlighted the potential energy storage demand in Queensland could reach up to 14 GWh by 2030. Redflow’s locally developed solution can deliver the medium to long duration storage for these requirements, which will enable us to invest more locally and create more jobs right here in Queensland,” he stated.
“This project is the next stage of our partnership with Energy Queensland following our joint Memorandum of Understanding in February 2023. We are excited to be working with Energy Queensland on this project and the State Government to support the energy transition required to meet the emission reduction targets,” he added.
ESI Managing Director Stuart Parry said Queensland is at the forefront of battery technology development, and ESI is contributing to the State’s position as a pioneer in the renewable energy economy.
“We are establishing a $70 million battery assembly facility in Maryborough and, as part of a joint venture with another Queensland company, will make the electrolyte solution in Townsville,” Parry stated.
“We look forward to working with Energy Queensland to deliver this pilot project as an important step in bringing this sustainable energy storage technology to scale and underpinning Queensland’s energy transformation,” Parry added.
