Three PhD students from Melbourne are moving their research into recycling lithium-ion batteries from the labs into pitch meetings, vying to become one of the first companies in Australia to recover the metals and minerals from spent batteries. Their method, they say, is simpler, less toxic and more cost competitive than those widely used.

Western Australia will install electric vehicle (EV) stations at 45 new locations, creating a fast charging network spanning more than 3,000kms.

LG Energy Solution has agreed to take 100% of the cobalt and nickel from the proposed Sconi Project in Queensland. The company says the deal will give it an “upper hand” in EV battery production and improve its ESG competitiveness.

Ambri has secured US$144 million ( AU$195 million) to commercialise its calcium-antimony liquid metal battery chemistry and open manufacturing facilities to deliver projects in 2023 and beyond.

One of the country’s most electricity-intensive smelters plans to switch to renewable energy, a move which would drastically reduce its footprint and will send a clear message to generators that even if the federal government continues to support coal, Australia doesn’t.

The ARENA saga continues, with shadow minister Chris Bowen confirming the Labor party will disallow Angus Taylor’s attempt to gut the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Australian giant AGL Energy plans to build what will be the world’s largest ‘grid-forming’ battery in South Australia, deploying technology so novel that it yet to be clearly regulated in Australia. “Trialling something like this on the grid at this scale hasn’t been done before anywhere in the world,” Josh Birmingham, Director of Large-Scale & Project Solutions at SMA Australia, told pv magazine Australia.

Both Victoria’s and Queensland’s state governments are moving on their renewable energy zones (REZs) with tight deadlines looming for hopeful projects in Victoria, while further north the government is eager to hear from local communities.

Melbourne-based renewables developer Syncline Energy has revealed its plans for a 600 MW/2400 MWh battery storage project 25 kilometres west of Melbourne city.

As Australia’s most populace state, New South Wales, prepares to put out its hydrogen strategy roadmap later this year, the state is planning to use hydrogen to power its public transport fleets and will soon launch a digital collaboration portal.