Extract from ABC News
As the uptake of renewable energy increases, a new storage battery that can operate under extreme stress conditions is being touted as a game-changer.
Key points:
The 'Gelion' battery stores energy captured from renewable sources like wind and solar
Using a specially designed gel, it removes the need for expensive cooling and fire suppression systems
A manufacturing pilot will soon get underway at the Battery Energy site in Fairfield
The ‘Gelion’ battery, which uses a specialised zinc-bromide gel technology, is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional lithium ion and lead acid batteries.
Its inventor, Professor Thomas Maschmeyer, said it aims to do this by addressing supply, capacity and safety constraints.
“The zinc-bromide battery chemistry differs from conventional ones by being able to charge to 100 per cent and discharge to zero over a long duration,” he said.
“We are able to run at a high temperature — 50 degrees not a problem without cooling, and never catch fire. In fact, the inside of the batteries help to put fires out.”
The battery can withstand temperatures of more than 600 degrees, without catching fire.
This removes the need for expensive auxiliary equipment such as fire suppression and air conditioning systems, bringing running costs down.
It also means the stationary battery technology is suitable for remote outback conditions, especially in the mining and agricultural sectors.
Pilot manufacturing line in Western Sydney
Zinc-bromide is conventionally used in large “flow” batteries, unsuitable for mass production.
The research team have reformatted this chemistry, converting it to a more versatile gel formulation.
The technology is about to enter the pilot manufacturing stage, which research and development manager, Zeynep Adali, said was an exciting prospect.
“We work hard with the motivations of contributing to the world and its future.
“Actually seeing it happening is very rewarding.”
The production line will be established at the Battery Energy site in Fairfield, a local company with more than 30 years experience.
Managing director Gaby Peimer said he hoped to move to full-scale operation, to supply the Gelion battery for the domestic market, by the end of next year.
“Our factory will be scaled up and employment will obviously be an added benefit,” he said.
Principal Technical Development Officer Michael Glenn believes the technology has huge potential.
“What we’d like to be able to contribute is our knowledge in upscaling the battery production and really economising that process,” Dr Glenn said.
“One of the really intelligent things is that it utilises the infrastructure of the lead acid battery, to produce a novel battery in a shorter timeframe, that’s more cost effective and also high performing.
“It’s also fully recyclable, which supports the circular economy.”
Australia embraces renewable energy technologies
Worth more than $100 billion, the stationary battery storage market is tipped to grow exponentially.
Dr Alan Finkel, special advisor to the Australian Government on Low Emissions Technology, said there was increasing “enthusiasm for storage in the minds and pocketbooks of investors.”
“As we build up penetration of solar and wind, and other forms of generation retire, we will need to increasingly support solar and wind with storage,” he said.
“Every time we spawn a new technological product in the low emissions technology space, it’s export opportunities, it’s domestic opportunities and it’s jobs.”
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