Govt launches National Battery Strategy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has launched the Australian Government’s first National Battery Strategy on a visit to QUT’s Advanced Battery Facility, which is operated by the QUT Energy Storage Research Group at the QUT Banyo Pilot Plant Precinct.
With global demand for batteries likely to quadruple by 2030, the strategy maps out the ways in which Australia can take advantage of this growth and build a thriving battery industry.
It identifies four high-value strategic opportunities:
- Building energy storage systems to firm renewable power generation in the national grid and for communities, businesses and homes.
- Providing battery active materials to the world by upgrading raw minerals into processed battery components to strengthen battery supply chains.
- Leveraging the nation’s scientific expertise in order to build safer and more secure batteries connected to the grid.
- Building batteries for Australia’s transport manufacturing industry, including heavy vehicle manufacturing.
Albanese said the strategy was designed to harness Australia’s world-leading expertise in battery technology.
“We want to make more things here, and with global demand for batteries set to quadruple by 2030, Australia must be a player in this field,” he said.
“Batteries are a critical ingredient in Australia’s clean energy mix. Together with renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical minerals, we will meet Australia’s emission reduction targets and create a strong clean energy manufacturing industry.”
Associate Professor Joshua Watts, Director of the QUT Energy Storage Research Group, said Australia had natural advantages across the whole battery value chain in battery materials.
“We have all the critical minerals that are needed to make a diverse range of battery technologies which, combined with an abundant supply of renewable energy resources, can power and grow a sustainable battery manufacturing sector in Australia,” he said.
“QUT’s Advanced Battery Facility, in collaboration with other universities nationally, is ready to support local industry to innovate and take full advantage of the massive opportunity that lies ahead of us.”
QUT researchers have long been at the forefront of battery technology, including manufacturing Australia’s first lithium-ion battery in 2017 after establishing the Advanced Battery Facility. The facility now tests multiple types and sizes of battery systems in real-world conditions for Australian applications.
Federal Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said Australia was a pioneer of battery technology. “Yet for too long we’ve sent our ideas offshore and lost the good jobs they create. A strong battery industry can supercharge our path to net zero and create a Future Made in Australia.
“Australia is moving beyond a ‘dig and ship’ economy to become a renewable energy superpower,” Husic continued.
“It’s inexcusable that we supply half the global supply of lithium but produce less than 1% of the world’s processed battery components.”
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