The Queensland government has announced a $24 million investment in two projects that will deliver new locally manufactured flow batteries to help meet renewable energy commitments.
Redflow’s zinc-bromine flow battery project, which is expected to be located in Ipswich, will receive $12 million. The other half of the funding will go towards an iron flow battery project from Energy Storage Industries – Asia Pacific, which is slated to be built in the Wide Bay region.
The materials used in both projects are alternatives to the more common and predominantly imported lithium-ion battery systems.
The investments were made as part of Energy Queensland’s network battery program, which aims to support local companies and foster the development of local industries in battery storage technologies.
Minister for Energy Mick de Brenni said the new zinc-bromine and iron flow battery projects will support jobs directly and through the supply chain, creating more jobs for Queenslanders. Meanwhile, using Queensland minerals in the state will benefit communities as far-reaching as Mount Isa to Mount Cotton.
“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,” de Brenni said.
Peter Price, chief engineer at Energy Queensland, said the new zinc-bromine and iron flow battery projects will help the company understand the benefits and possible challenges of distribution-connected energy storage.
“The batteries will be located close to areas of high solar penetration, while supporting the whole electricity supply chain, alongside other complementary solutions to maximise the growing uptake of renewable energy,” Price said.
Queensland-based company Redflow recently secured an investment from the Californian Energy Commission to deliver a 20-MW hour storage project.
“Our government is backing local manufacturing of batteries because that means more jobs across more regions in Queensland,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. “If we don’t back investment in batteries in Queensland we will see investment go offshore.
