The world needs investment in new production and technologies to meet its energy storage needs

The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that reaching Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE2050) will increase global energy investment from US$2 trillion currently to US$5 trillion per year over the next decade. Of that, global investment in batteries to stabilise variable renewable energy will increase from negligible levels to $78 billion annually, while investment in batteries for transportation will increase from $13 billion to approximately $370 billion per annum. Thus, meeting NZE2050 requires a very large investment in existing and new battery materials and battery technologies.

The need for more and better batteries creates economic opportunities for Australia across the supply chain.

• Mining and Refining – Australia is a world leader in mining and refining. Batteries require high purity materials. Our research and development sector, and innovative industry are at the leading edge of low cost and sustainable refining innovation to export value added products such as high purity alumina and other materials.

• Active Materials and Supercapacitors – Australia is moving downstream into the production of active materials for export and local use. Local companies and researchers are developing electrolyte, cathode and anode active materials for export and local battery developers. Breakthroughs and incremental advancement are underway in flow battery electrolyte, graphene and other nano-material based anode and cathode and other active materials.

• Cell Manufacturing  – Next generation cell manufacturing technologies are being developed in Australia to support heavy transportation, aviation and drones with aluminium-graphene and lithium-sulfer technology and other batteries.  Long duration grid storage essential for grid stabilisation in a successful energy transition is being developed locally with vanadium flow batteries, invented in Australia and other flow battery technology set to be manufactured here.  These developments are pioneered by our industry and supported by our world leading university researchers.

• Management and Assembly – Huge opportunities are being taken for local manufacturers and developers to capture roof top solar and feed it into our energy systems for the benefit of all.  Australia can lead the way in battery management systems to integrate households into the grid, and offer energy solutions within our harsh climate conditions. This high need also provides a unique opportunity to support local manufacturers to supply components to the existing household battery market.

• Re-use and Recycling – The increase in battery uptake is fuelling a huge need in battery recycling  and re-use.  This is a local opportunity where industry led research and development can create a sustainable industry.

Meeting NZE2050 will require large investment in all energy storage technologies. Technologies for passenger transportation, for securing renewable energy supply, and powering air transportation in the next 2-3 decades will evolve, but to reduce emissions in line with NZE2050 requirements, investment in all viable battery chemistries is necessary now.

Australia has a role to play

Innovation

Australia is home to many innovative tech start-ups with world-class technologies for processing and manufacturing from ores to end-use battery products which meet ESG credentials to supply to the northern hemisphere. 

A thriving sector needs many shoulders to the wheel

It is only through research, industry and government collaboration, and access to capital, that new industry sectors can be stimulated and grown.

The AMBC is an industry representitive association that is working to foster this collaboration with a vision to build a successful and resilient battery supply chain supported by a world-renowned research and development sector, one that attracts talent, meets our energy transition needs and one that significantly boosts our economy.