ESI’s Australian batteries feature in new Queensland investment

Energy Storage Industries’ iron-flow battery technology is one of the winners in a $24 million investment into flow batteries from local developers announced by the Queensland state government.

A government-funded pilot project will deliver new locally developed iron and zinc flow batteries – a $12 million iron flow battery from ESI with a preferred site in the Wide Bay region, and a $12 million zinc-bromine flow battery from Redflow with a preferred site identified at Ipswich.

Redflow batteries were developed locally but manufactured in Thailand, while ESI is constructing a $70 million battery assembly facility in Maryborough and, as part of a joint venture with another Queensland company, plans to make the electrolyte solution in Townsville.

ESI’s Managing Director Stuart Parry (pictured) said Queensland was at the forefront of battery technology development.

Parry said: “ESI is a Queensland-based and Australian owned company that is supporting jobs and investment in the regions through the manufacture of reliable and environmentally friendly iron flow batteries.

“We look forward to working with Energy Queensland to deliver this pilot project as an important step in bringing this sustainable energy storage technology to scale and underpinning Queensland’s energy transformation.”

Energy Queensland’s new network battery program aims to support local Queensland companies to help develop local industries in battery storage technologies which are fundamental for the energy transition.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state was backing local manufacturing of batteries.

Palaszczuk said: “These projects build on our announcement to trial a vanadium flow battery in partnership with Vecco and Sumitomo Electric.

“If we don’t back investment in batteries in Queensland we will see investment go offshore.”

Redflow’s CEO and Managing Director, Tim Harris: “As a proud Queensland business with world leading technology developed right here in Queensland, we are excited to be working with Energy Queensland to further validate our energy storage technology and its importance to the transition to net zero targets.”

Picture: Energy Storage Industries/Stuart Parry