Advanced Materials and Battery Council (AMBC)

Session recordings from Australia Battery Day 2024 are now available on our Youtube Chanel. 🔗Watch via the link: https://lnkd.in/g4u7y4gB #Ausbatteryday 2024 saw insightful discussions among industry, research, and government representatives on the strategic future of Australia’s Battery Industry. If you work in the energy storage space, be sure to catch-up on the proceedings of this year’s event for expert perspectives on this rapidly evolving industry. And look out for Australia Battery Day 2025 to join the conversation. #batteries #ausmanufacturing

What infrastructure is needed to grow Australia’s Battery Industry? The importance of establishing onshore battery testing facilities was a recurring theme among industry representatives at this year’s #Ausbatteryday.    ⬆️ The Challenge   Currently, Australia lacks comprehensive testing facilities capable of qualifying Australian-made battery cells and advanced materials against international standards.   Consequently, local companies are forced to send their products overseas for pre-qualification testing, complicating the process of progressing through technology readiness levels.   ⬆️ The Solution   The Queensland and National battery strategies, which have recognised this but are yet to move forward on this key piece of infrastructure, are badly needed to help our industry onto a level playing field.  Access to local testing facilities would ease the process of certifying new technology at a commercial scale and allow local developers to demonstrate their products to customers.   These facilities would also provide a space for upskilling and training Australia’s workforce through the testing process – helping to build the next generation of Australian manufacturers.   The QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Energy Storage Research Group is establishing a pilot National Battery Testing Facility. Expanding such efforts may prove critical to developing a thriving battery ecosystem here in Australia. #batteries #ausmanufacturing   Department of Industry, Science and Resources | Ed Husic MP | Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development | Graham Fraine | Dale Last | Jarrod Bleijie MP

Fantastic to see battery ecosystem companies receive valuable grants to advance their project plans!   The Australian government just announced it is funding eight projects in a push to build Australia’s sovereign downstream critical mineral processing capabilities.   Congratulations to the AMBC members among the recipients including: ➡️ Vecco Group in support of their plans to build an integrated vanadium flow battery supply chain in Queensland. Current projects include the development of a vanadium mine and high purity alumina processing plant in Julia Creek, and their vanadium electrolyte manufacturing facility in Townsville. ➡️ QPM Energy towards the production of nickel and cobalt for the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) project.   The grants will also see support for: ➡️ Critical Minerals Group Ltd development of a vanadium electrolyte production chain for battery grade materials. ➡️ Graphinex and Renascor Resources Limited projects in graphite refining and processing and anode manufacture. ➡️ Australian Rare Earths ionic clay hosted rare earth elements demonstration plant in Naracoorte, Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) rare earth and critical minerals processing plant in Dubbo, and Tivan Limited Speewah Fluorite Project.   This assistance helps to level the playing field and give our industry a chance to develop downstream in the battery supply chain going some way to match overseas incentives.   The renewable energy transition is a huge manufacturing opportunity for Australia. The strategy of supporting companies at the early stage will assist in securing jobs now and in the future, diversifying our economy, and growing our prosperity. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gKUPHVSz. Department of Industry, Science and Resources

It is time to up our R&D spending! The AMBC welcomes the announcement made by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic MP establishing the terms of reference and panel for the strategic examination of Australia’s research and development system.   Generating and commercialising R&D is key to lifting productivity and maintaining high standards of living through a diverse economic base. However, our R&D performance has long been trailing the rest of the OECD.   Currently, Australia sits among the least economically complex countries, with a rank of 102 out of 133 according to the Growth Lab's most recent Economic Complexity Index.   Yet in battery technology, we sit among the top 5 for most cited papers, according to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, recognising our excellent researchers.   We hope the review will be able to communicate the benefits of investing in R&D to gain broader support for increased spending. And find faster, more successful commercialisation pathways for our R&D that will allow us to grow our battery manufacturing capabilities in Australia, for the benefit of the wider economy. Dr Kate Cornick | Robyn Denholm

Thank you to all who attended and participated in #Ausbatteryday.   It is clear there are exciting opportunities for Australia’s critical minerals, advanced materials, and battery manufacturing industries. Moreover, the success with which we capitalise on our natural advantages to meet these opportunities will have far-reaching implications for Australia’s economic and energy future.   At this juncture, it is important that policymakers, industry, and research come together to address present opportunities and challenges. Australia Battery Day was created for this purpose, and it was encouraging to see such strong engagement in the afternoon networking event.   We would like to again highlight our sponsors The University of Queensland and Queensland Government. Their support demonstrates the potential our research sector and government perceive in Australia’s Battery Industry.   Finally, we appreciate those who have already filled out the feedback survey. Your responses will allow us to continue to increase the value of the event. #batteries #ausmanufacturing

#Ausbatteryday turns to the future of the Battery Industry with discussions of next gen tech, filling gaps in the workforce, and supply chain considerations. The fourth panel – innovate for batteries – discussed the innovation process. Anthony Prior emphasised working closely with the customer while, Lee Finniear highlighted ensuring a pathway to commercialisation unpinned “great ideas.” Cori Stewart advocated safeguarding domestic IP. During the fifth panel – education and skills – all panellists acknowledged workforce shortages across qualifications and skill levels in manufacturing. Kerry Williams highlighted the decline in university graduates entering the energy sector in engineering roles. However, Rebecca Andrews noted qualitative research by Manufacturing Skills Queensland observed interest in manufacturing jobs among young people increased when talking about renewables. Shawn O'Sullivan noted that training should consider existing communities and target skills to where they are most needed, while Peter Woodall sought greater flexibility in how training is approached. Rod Thiele argued for greater collaboration between the vocational sector, universities, and industry. A recurring theme across panels was the need for commercial testing facilities to enable small-medium enterprises to demonstrate their technologies. This was particularly emphasised by Dr Nagesh Shukla and Nicholas Whebell during the sixth panel – supply chain considerations. Dr Shukla also highlighted the need to develop onshore certification facilities. Finally, Ursula McInnes highlighted the work SLR Consulting is doing in assisting domestic companies across the supply chain in navigating regulatory frameworks. She concluded the session by encouraging the Australian Battery Industry to maintain its “pioneering” attitude. #batteries #renewableenergy #ausmanufacturing

#Ausbatteryday continues with discussion on opportunities and challenges in advanced materials, electrification of heavy vehicles, and research. Session two opened with Battery Research Development Manager Laura Kuhar discussing how Rio Tinto was utilising Lithium-ion battery storage to support the decarbonisation of their operations. The second panel – providing battery active materials to the world- discussed challenges to scale up created by construction costs. Andrew Napier highlighted battery manufacturing hubs as a means to address this. Rob Williamson also floated commercial testing facilities as a means of enabling advanced materials manufacturers to demonstrate their technology to customers. When discussing capital constraints, it was agreed that the State and Federal governments were being active in offering support however, Stephen Grocott, Gavin Loyden and Sylvia Tulloch highlighted the need to roll-out this support quickly and efficiently if Australia is to compete internationally. Facilitator Jerad Ford opened the third panel – the electrification of buses and trucks – by noting Australia was potentially facing a significant opportunity in retrofitting heavy vehicles with batteries. Lex Forsyth noted that to achieve electrification on a wide scale, Australia would need to “re-think” its approach to the grid with a greater emphasis on community batteries. Kirk McDonald emphasised that the electrification of vehicles should invite ambition - imagine if you could “run your house off the battery in your jet-ski.” The session was closed by a joint address from Associate Director (Energy Transitions) at UQ Strategic Partnerships Caroline Stott and Senior Manager of Industry Engagement (Energy Transition) at QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Melissa Nikolic, on what universities are doing to support the sector. Caroline Stott argued the need for universities and industry to constantly improve the collaboration model - “universities are reaching out, lets keep communicating, innovating on all fronts, and unlocking value.”

How can our local Battery Industry support the growth of Australian manufacturing? #Ausbatteryday has just seen the conclusion of a highly charged opening session. The University of Queensland Pro Vice Chancellor of Research Rachel Parker welcomed attendees, emphasising the strong links between university and industry within the sector. Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd Manufacturing Group CEO and AMBC Chair Craig Nicol provided an overview of the breadth of opportunity for Australia’s Battery Industry. With Western Australia producing critical minerals and Eastern Australia at the cutting edge of battery technology innovation, Australia is “perfectly hedged.” The opening address was given by the Director General of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development Graham Fraine. He reaffirmed the LNP’s commitment to working with industry to achieve the potential of the battery sector. Chair of the Minerals to Megawatts CRC bid Leeanne Bond FAICD FTSE HonFIEAust gave the first keynote speech of the day. She discussed the envisioned role of the CRC in creating an “ecosystem for companies to find their place in this market” by drawing together government, research, and buyers. The first panel of the day – manufacturing for energy storage and renewable grids – invited lively discussion on the opportunities and challenges for incorporating local content into Australian batteries. Thomas Nann and Adam Best reflected on the ample opportunities to increase local manufacturing of battery components. When discussing factors analysts should account for when valuing new battery technologies, Jeremy Peters and Craig Sainsbury both emphasised the importance of a long-term approach that appreciates future long duration storage needs, as well as sustainability and recyclability. #batteries #ausmanufacturing #energystorage

🔋 Australia Battery Day is tomorrow! The global renewable energy transition is creating unique opportunities for Australia to onshore manufacturing through contributing to emerging battery storage supply chains. At this pivotal moment, it is crucial policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives come together to discuss the future of Australia’s Battery Industry. That is why the #ambc has created #Ausbatteryday. The event will feature a diverse array of speakers and panellist from across the battery value chain, and addresses by representatives from the State and Federal Government. Australia Battery Day is proudly sponsored by The University of Queensland and Queensland Government. We are thrilled to be hosting what promises to be an insightful day that is not to be missed for anyone in the energy storage space. 🔗 A full agenda and link to register can be found on our website: https://ambc.au/abd/ #energystorage #ausmanufacturing #batteries

Australia #Battery Day is only a few days away! Join us this Thursday to discuss the future of Australia’s Battery Industry with experts from across research, policy and industry. 🔗Register via the link: https://lnkd.in/gfxMifFr. #ausmanufacturing #batteries #renewableenergy