Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

VALO makes Best Places to Work list

South Australian-based lighting business VALO has been ranked fourth in the Manufacturing & Consumer Goods category for the 2023 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work List. The list is based on a staff survey and a written submission relating to policies, practices and programs. VALO said in a statement that the award recognised “the positive values-driven culture that has been created” at the company and its “recognition that diversity fuels innovation.” It added that the award follows a year in which the company experienced its largest annual growth with the team growing from 10 to 30, and expansion into the eastern states. VALO CEO and Founder Aaron Hickmann said, “Being listed by the AFR as one of Australia and New Zealand’s best places to work will help us attract new talent as VALO expands nationally and internationally.”

Australian Naval Infrastructure CEO reappointed

Andrew Seaton, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) since 2020, has been re-appointed for a five-year term. Seaton is described as extensive engineering, financial, commercial, and major project management experience, and his reappointment “will ensure continuity of leadership during an important time” where critical shipbuilding infrastructure will be delivered, including designing and building the future nuclear-powered submarine construction yard at Osborne, South Australia. Deputy prime minister Richard Marles said, “Mr Seaton’s reappointment comes at a time when ANI has a critical role to play in supporting the Government’s defence and national security objectives, including developing infrastructure that will be essential for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.”

Basic research underfunded in Australia, says UQ researcher

A study co-led by The University of Queensland has found Australia is lagging behind similar countries in funding basic research, particularly in medical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical. Dr Lisette Pregelj from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences analysed funding and innovation data globally and found Australia’s ability to develop innovative basic research was decreasing, with the Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking falling to 25th place in 2022 from 20th in 2018. “But more concerning is the Index ranks us even lower for innovation outputs, with no sign of improvement over the past three years despite increased funding for commercialisation,” said Pregelj “The World Intellectual Property Organization – which publishes publish the GII – also reports Australia produces fewer innovation outputs relative to its level of innovation investment. We’re sliding down a slippery slope, and it needs to change.” The research was published last month in Microbiology Australia.

Tesla batteries installed at Kogan energy hub 

All 80 Tesla Megapack units for the 100 megawatt / 200 megawatt hour Chinchilla Battery Project (pictured) have been installed, with the project to be connected to the Queensland SuperGrid to better facilitate the use of renewable energy. Tesla and CS Energy have built one of the Queensland’s largest batteries, with the project the first in the Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub. The Clean Energy Hub’s battery will store wind and solar energy generated throughout the day, to be distributed to Queensland households during the peak evening periods. During the evening energy demand peak, the Chinchilla Battery will be able to discharge 100 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 30,000 homes for two hours. “The Kogan Creek Clean Energy Hub is the most advanced in the state, with construction to begin soon on its second project – the Kogan Renewable Hydrogen Demonstration Plant,” said energy minister Mick de Brenni.

ARENA backs Origin’s fleet program

The federal government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced almost $6.2 million in funding to Origin Energy on Thursday for the $12.8 million Accelerate EV Fleet Program. The program will see Origin deliver 1,000 electric vehicles as well as charging infrastructure to business customers nationally, and is “designed to help establish supply chains and business ecosystems that can be scaled up as the capital cost of electric vehicles (EVs) fall” according to a statement from ARENA. Light vehicles account for roughly 11 per cent of Australia’s total emissions, with fleet users accounting for nearly half of all passenger vehicles sold in Australia. ARENA Acting CEO Chris Faris said the program was an exciting opportunity to scale up Australia’s emerging EV fleet leasing market, adding, “Not only will we be putting 1000 new electric vehicles on the road, but this program will create a blueprint for how EV fleet leasing models can operate. And those 1000 fleet EVs will feed the secondhand market for EVs in the years ahead.”

CEFC pledges $40 million to lift national EV adoption