Joint media release: Positive developments for Australian battery industry with funding boost

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science

Novel sulphur battery cell technologies that could revolutionise the clean energy transition, through delivering longer ranges for EVs, will be developed in Australia in coming years.

The Australian Government, through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is providing $4.8 million in funding to Gelion Technologies Pty Ltd (Gelion) to facilitate development of its unique battery technology.

The $9.6 million project will enable Gelion to work with prospective customers as it brings its sulphur cathode battery technology through development and testing phases with products produced at its Advanced Commercial Prototyping Centre (ACPC) in Sydney, NSW.

Along with the construction of the battery development centre, the project will focus on two different battery products: lithium-sulphur (Li-S) and silicon-sulphur (Si-S), which have significant potential as high energy density battery chemistries.

Higher energy density batteries will be able to store more energy per unit of weight. This can enable longer ranges in transport applications such as electric vehicles.

Key applications for higher density batteries include electric vehicles and electric aviation which will benefit enormously from longer ranges made possible by the advance in technology.

Global demand for batteries is projected to grow from 194 GWh of annual demand in 2020 to 2,045 GWh by 2030 with electric vehicles expected to be 87% of the demand and stationary storage 7%.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the funding is a key example of the Australian Government’s commitment to accelerating the commercialisation of local innovation.

“Australia is emerging as a world leader in alternative battery chemistry, and we need to ensure that we’re well placed to reap the rewards,” Minister Bowen said.

“Batteries are the building blocks of a sustainable energy future, and this project, by demonstrating the potential of alternative battery chemistries, could help us meet our net zero commitments.”

The Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said investing in promising new technology is the cornerstone of a prosperous future for Australia.

“Whether it is for storage, transport or operating at grid scale, batteries will be fundamental part of how we live and work in the future,” Minister Husic said.

“Batteries that outperform current models through improved energy density will be highly sought after, both locally and around the world, which is why this investment makes sense for Australians.”