BATTERY MANUFACTURER RECEIVES GRANT FOR PILOT FACILITY IN TOMAGO
Australia’s first lithium-ion battery manufacturer, Energy Renaissance, has been given additional funding for its pilot manufacturing facility in the Hunter.
Not-for-profit, Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) has pitched in more than $525,000 to help develop the processes and workforce skills that will build the company’s superStorage batteries.
The sum will go towards a $1.48 million project to fast-track the development of a manufacturing line and trained workforce for Renaissance One.
The 4,400 square metre battery manufacturing facility in Tomago is slated for completion in February 2022.
The batteries produced there are expected to have a range of applications including electricity grids and renewables, mining, community storage, buses and industrial vehicles.
Renaissance Energy’s Technology and Development Director, Brian Craighead says AMGC also supported prototypes of the superStorage battery last year.
“The new funding injection from AMGC will now help us to scale-up towards commercial production and accelerate our ability to manufacture batteries faster,” Mr Craighead said.
“This is a win for Australia, our economy and workforce as we ascend the stage to become a global battery manufacturing powerhouse.”
AMGC’s Managing Director, Dr Jens Goennemann, highlighted Australia relies heavily on imported batteries – something Energy Renaissance is aiming to change.
“By investing in local manufacturing, upskilling a new workforce for manufacturing and developing an innovative battery solution, Energy Renaissance will showcase how Australia can and will have a global competitive edge in battery manufacturing,” Dr Goennemann said.
