The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) last month opened applications for the $500 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative (BBI) as part of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia policy.
The BBI will provide $500 million of funding to promote the development of battery manufacturing capabilities in Australia. Examples of funding to be provided through the BBI are capital grants, production incentives or other payments, as deemed appropriate by ARENA.
The specific objectives of the program are to fund projects that contribute to: enhancing Australia’s battery manufacturing capability to improve supply chain resilience; and commercialisation of battery manufacturing processes and technologies. ARENA will focus on awarding funding to projects across the following areas:
> Active materials: supporting projects relating to the production of cathode materials, anode materials and electrolytes used in electrochemical batteries;
> Battery cell manufacturing: supporting manufacture of electrochemical battery cells and components that directly support battery cell manufacturing; and
> Battery pack assembly: supporting projects related to battery pack assembly, which includes the connection of battery cells (or modules and flow battery stacks) into battery packs.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller says batteries are crucial to achieving Australia’s net-zero emissions goal.
“Energy storage is a critical enabling technology for our renewable energy future. We know that solar and wind energy can provide us the lowest-cost renewable energy generation at scale, but we also need to be able to store it for when it is needed,” he says.
“BBI will enhance Australia’s battery manufacturing capability, improve supply chain resilience and battery manufacturing processes, and foster innovation.”
Interested members are encouraged to review the BBI’s key documents provided on the ARENA webpage here.
HVIA advises that webinar is also offered by ARENA on Wednesday, September 17, from 3:00pm–4:00pm (AEST). Attendees can register here.