PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland government has set aside A$24-million to invest into flow batteries from local manufacturers to support the next stage of the state’s local battery capability.

The new battery projects will use zinc-bromine and iron flow technologies, which are both alternatives to the more common lithium-ion battery systems which predominantly are manufactured offshore.

A$12-million has been awarded to a zinc-bromine flow battery from Redflow with the preferred site identified at Ipswich, while a further A$12-million will be invested in an iron flow battery from Energy Storage Industries - Asia Pacific (ESI), with the preferred site in the Wide Bay region.

The trial of zinc-bromine and iron flow battery technologies is part of Energy Queensland’s network battery programme which will determine how to use batteries to bring down bills.

“These projects build on our announcement to trial a vanadium flow battery in partnership with Vecco and Sumitomo Electric,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Tuesday.

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

Our government is backing local manufacturing of batteries because that means more jobs across more regions in Queensland.”

Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said the new zinc-bromine and iron flow battery projects were an important part of the transformation of Queensland’s energy system to deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to provide power for generations.

“These projects will support jobs both directly, and through the supply chain, meaning more jobs for Queenslanders, while using Queensland minerals in Queensland will benefit communities as far-reaching as Mount Isa to Mount Cotton.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan is bringing more jobs in more industries to the Sunshine State, and revitalising Queensland’s domestic manufacturing sector through projects like this. These new flow battery projects are just one of the ways we are enabling the transition to a low carbon energy future and, ultimately, helping to keep electricity prices down.”