Weekend read: Can anything topple lithium-ion?
The need for long-duration energy storage in a net-zero world is undeniable but with conventional battery prices tumbling, can anything dislodge the mainstream grip of lithium ion? S&P Global’s Susan Taylor provides an update on non-lithium storage technologies.
Pilbara Minerals teams with Chinese battery giant on lithium plant project
Australia is among the countries being considered to host a large-scale battery-grade lithium processing plant after Perth-based resources company Pilbara Minerals struck a deal with Chinese battery metals giant Ganfeng Lithium.
Iron-based redox flow battery for grid-scale storage
Researchers in the United States have repurposed a commonplace chemical used in water treatment facilities to develop an all-liquid, iron-based redox flow battery for large-scale energy storage. Their lab-scale battery exhibited strong cycling stability over 1,000 consecutive charging cycles, while maintaining 98.7% of its original capacity.
Lochard explores underground hydrogen storage to shift energy
Energy storage specialist Lochard Energy has secured a $2 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency that will underpin a feasibility study into large-scale underground storage of green hydrogen in southwest Victoria.
Envirostream eyes increased recycling revenues after boosting battery volumes
Battery technology company Lithium Australia’s 100%-owned subsidiary Envirostream is seeking to scale up its battery recycling efforts, signing an updated agreement with South Korean manufacturer LG Energy Solution in a move that could deliver 770 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries for recycling.
AVL produces first battery-ready vanadium electrolyte
Perth-based resources company Australian Vanadium Limited has executed another element of its planned ‘pit to battery’ strategy, producing the first battery-ready vanadium electrolyte at its new manufacturing facility in Western Australia.
Researchers reveal path to fast-charging lithium-sulphur batteries
A team of Australian researchers has designed a new catalyst that has the potential to deliver a new generation of lithium-sulfur batteries that are capable of being charged in less than five minutes, instead of several hours as is currently the case.
Construction works begin for 2 GWh Collie big battery
Western Australian government-owned utility Synergy has commenced construction of its third grid-scale battery as the state government looks to ramp up energy storage capacity to support its planned transition from coal-fired power generation to renewables.
Victorian government expands community batteries, reports record hot water rebates
The Victorian state government has reported a record uptake of hot water rebates and has announced an expansion of this program. Meanwhile, six projects have been given funding to deliver 25 neighbourhood batteries across 20 towns.
New Zealand welcomes first big battery to national grid
New Zealand’s transition to a renewable energy future has taken a significant step forward with the nation’s first grid-scale battery energy storage project now offering injectable reserves to the electricity market for the first time.
