Energy Renaissance plans massive Darwin battery factory

Plans by UGL-backed Energy Renaissance to establish a massive lithium ion battery manufacturing facility in Australia have taken another step forward with the company selecting the technology to be used.

Energy Renaissance has partnered with Connecticut-based Cadenza Innovation which has developed a novel ‘supercell’ technology which simplifys the manufacturing process and improves energy storage density.

Energy Renaissance Chair Su McCluskey said: “Australia is gaining global attention as a nation with all the resources needed to capitalise on the unprecedented demand for batteries, energy storage systems and renewables.

“With rapidly expanding end markets ranging from utilities, transportation and industrials to stand-alone solutions for remote areas, the time is now for our country and our company to step up to this massive, immediate opportunity.”

Energy Renaissance was founded in 2012 by experts in large scale power engineering and is backed by private investors and the Northern Territory government.

The company plans to build Renaissance One, a mega-factory capable of producing 1.3 Gigawatt (GWh) of lithium ion battery cells and modules, possibly in Darwin.

The first stage, a 300 MWh pilot line is planned to open within a year.

It will build commercial-scale, high value, reliable and safe energy storage systems specifically designed for hot and humid climates.

These have different and demanding requirements that exceed the capabilities of typical Lithium-ion batteries.

Nearby a separate company, Core Lithium (ASX: CXO), is planning to produce lithium ores from 2019 a mine at Finniss, shipping exports through the Port of Darwin.

This opens up the prospect of locally processing Core Lithium’s spodumene ore to
make lithium hydroxide.

Cadenza Innovation is led by its Founder and CEO, Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud, co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Energy.

Lampe-Onnerud said: “Today, there is an insatiable need for reliable batteries to facilitate renewable energy from solar, wind and hydro.

“Energy Renaissance is moving aggressively to address those requirements in a country that is proving itself a global leader in this transition. We’re excited to play a key role in those efforts.”

Renaissance One will need to raise significant additional capital to fund its battery plant.

However it can take advantage of tax offsets of up to $200,000 and a 10-year capital gains exemption for investments held for over a year should it go ahead.

As reported in @AuManufacturing, Shell-owned sonnen already assembles lithium ion batteries in Adelaide.

Alpha-ESS and Eguana Technologies have also announced plans to make batteries and storage systems in the SA capital.

Picture: Renaissance One factory

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