Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

CSIRO releases new renewable storage roadmap

Storage of renewable energy will be “essential” to Australia reaching net zero transition and will require significant investment, according to a roadmap released by the national science agency, CSIRO, on Wednesday. The Renewable Energy Storage Roadmap shows that the national electricity market (NEM) could require a 10 to 14-fold increase in electricity storage capacity between 2025-2050, and that while traditional storage technologies (e.g. batteries and pumped hydro) will continue to play a key role, “all forms of energy storage must be considered”. CSIRO CEO Larry Marshall said there was no single solution, and “we need multiple shots on goal, like from renewables, batteries, hydrogen, thermal storage, pumped hydro, sustainable aviation fuels and a host of new science-driven technologies.” Federal industry minister Ed Husic said that he agreed a diverse pipeline of projects using diverse technologies was needed. “That means there’s a huge opportunity for new systems and technologies to be developed here to manage the production, storage and use of renewable energy,” he said. The report can be accessed here.

Mighty Craft raises $5 million

An accelerator with the ambition of becoming a “Australia’s leading premium craft beverage company” has received a boost, raising  $5.1 million (before costs) through a share placement. ASX-listed Mighty Craft said on Wednesday that has completed the placement of approximately 35.2 million ordinary shares, issued to unrelated institutional and sophisticated investors at $0.145 each. “The Placement Shares were issued under the Company’s existing 15% placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1,” it said. An additional tranche of 689,656 new shares will be issued under the placement to Non-executive Director Katie McNamara, subject to shareholder approval at the the company’s Annual General Meeting.

Bonfiglioli opens new regional office in Victoria

The Australian division of industrial automation, mobile machinery and renewable energy sector supplier Bonfiglioli has opened a new regional office in Cranbourne West, Victoria. The launch last week was attended by “key customers, local staff, and company leaders from Bonfiglioli’s head office in Italy” at the new premises, fitted with 40 kilowatts of solar power and covering 1,800 square metres, with warehousing and production making up 1,400 square metres. According to a statement, site “will facilitate the local assembly of all light and medium-duty products, freeing the Sydney factory up to concentrate on heavy-duty products” and allowing expanded stock holding locally “and to better serve our customers across the local regions,” said Martin Broglia, Managing Director for Bonfiglioli Australia. The site will produce the company’s helical and bevel-helical series CAFS motors (up to size 60), the full range of VF/W universal wormgears, and Bonfiglioli’s 300 planetary gearbox series (up to size 310).

Brisbane WHS show announces line-up of speakers

The Workplace Health & Safety Show 2023 in Brisbane, running May 31 – June 1, will present a series of live, interactive seminars covering the latest in regulatory amendments, technology developments and safety trends, according to its organisers. The event at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre will cover topics including major hazards, wellbeing and mental health, safety  innovations, technology, and injury prevention. “There’s never been a better time for Australia’s health and safety professionals to collaborate in the sharing of knowledge, skills and solutions, to create safe, happy and compliant workspaces,” said Marie Kinsella, CEO, IEC Group Australia. Registration for the expo — which  will also run in Sydney on September 20 – 21 — is free. Information on the events’ programs and speakers can be seen here.

Picture: credit Mighty Craft