Energy Renaissance announces start of construction for Australia's first lithium-ion battery factory
Australia will soon be producing lithium-ion batteries onshore, thanks to start-up Energy Renaissance. With funding raised exclusively from private investors, Energy Renaissance has committed to manufacturing batteries at a site in Tomago, NSW, only a few kilometres from the Port of Newcastle.
Australia will soon be producing lithium-ion batteries onshore, thanks to start-up Energy Renaissance. With funding raised exclusively from private investors, Energy Renaissance has committed to manufacturing batteries at a site in Tomago, NSW, only a few kilometres from the Port of Newcastle.
Energy Renaissance’s 4,500 sqm purpose-built facility will manufacture Australian made batteries that are, according to the company “safe, secure, affordable and optimised to perform in hot climates.” Energy Renaissance will be manufacturing energy storage systems for the transport industry including busses and light commercial vehicles, as well as batteries for grid-scale, mining industry and community storage uses.
Energy Renaissance will have an initial battery production capacity of 48MWh per year and the capacity to expand to 180MWh per year in 2022. Energy Renaissance’s long-term plans are to develop a 1GWh battery manufacturing facility, and potentially grow to 5.3GWh over the next decade.
Construction of the facility will commence in April 2021 with a small-scale production trial run of batteries to start by July 2021, ramping up to full-scale production in October 2021.
CIS Solutions recently undertook an independent economic impact analysis, and concluded that an Australian advanced manufacturing industry supplying and exporting battery-grade chemicals and materials would create over 100,000 construction and 80,000 operational jobs and add AUD$7.3 trillion in export revenue. (Note that we haven’t been able to find a link to this study online)
There has been a dramatic decline in appetite for Australian iron ore and coal both domestically and internationally, and the Australian Government has been rather slow in realising that lithium—a metal found in abundance in Australia—has the potential to not only generate serious export dollars as global demand for batteries rises over the next decade, but to also shore up skilled manufacturing jobs locally, assisting the transition and retraining of mining sector workers.
Energy Renaissance is perfectly placed to take advantage of this; it’s investment to process raw materials locally in a region already known for mining means that the company should have a captive employment market available, as well as access to global markets via the nearby port.
With the New South Wales committing to purchase over 8,000 electric buses, this should present a great opportunity for Energy Renaissance to find local customers.
The government’s Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews and the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison were also present at Energy Renaissance’s manufacturing facility launch, and were keen to jump in with their own announcement, releasing the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing road map in the Commonwealth Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
The Strategy has the following goals:
2 years: Improved capability to bring products quickly to market, through improved market development activities and investment made in critical enablers.
5 years: Foster increased collaboration with relevant sectors and international supply chains, increase exports and grow private sector investment.
10 years: Australia seen as a regional hub for resources technology and critical minerals processing, with significant R&D advancements, retention in intellectual capital for SMEs and significant volume and value of exports.
We’ll keep you updated as Energy Renaissance’s facility comes together.
Read more about the government’s strategy here: https://www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/resources-technology-and-critical-minerals-processing-national-manufacturing-priority-road-map
Road tests begin of Amazon's new electric delivery vehicle built by Rivian
Amazon.com Inc. has received its first batch of Rivian Automotive electric delivery vans, and has put them to work on the streets of Los Angeles as part of a test phase for the vehicle. Amazon has released the below promotional video to mark the occasion, and they claim that there will be 10,000 Amazon custom delivery vehicles on the road as early as 2022.
Amazon and Rivian’s new van hits the road with 140 mile range and plans for 10,000 vehicles to be operational by 2022
Amazon.com Inc. has received its first batch of Rivian Automotive electric delivery vans, and has put them to work on the streets of Los Angeles as part of a test phase for the vehicle. Amazon has released the below promotional video to mark the occasion, and the company claims that there will be 10,000 zero-emissions Amazon delivery vehicles on the road as early as 2022.
Based on Rivian’s customisable skateboard platform, the vans can drive up to 150 miles (240 kilometres) on a single charge, making them perfect for last-mile delivery routes.
As a bespoke project for Amazon, it is understood that the two companies worked closely together to create a product with not only industry leading safety and design features, but with state of the art technology to assist a delivery driver’s workflow.
Amazon’s delivery van features 360 degree cameras and Alexa integration for the driver. Images: Amazon
Amazon’s custom made delivery van is based of Rivian’s modular skateboard architecture.
There are Three levels of shelving with a bulkhead door, which can easily be opened and closed for additional driver protection while on the road. The trucks feature Alexa integration for hands-free access to route information, and exterior cameras around the vehicle to give the driver a 360-degree view outside the vehicle.
Unfortunately Amazon has not revealed any details about the battery system, drivetrain or other specifications.
Speaking with CNBC, Ross Rachey, director of Amazon’s global fleet and products, stated that the company is proud of its electrification effort, with thousands of electric vehicle chargers in the pipeline for its North American and European facilities.
The rear of Amazon’s new delivery van will aid workflow for drivers
In support of The Climate Pledge, Amazon plans to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and also plans to power all operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. The company eventually plans to have 100,000 fully-electric delivery vehicles on the road, with a target date of 2030 previously discussed. According to Bloomberg, Amazon has around 30,000 last-mile delivery vans currently in operation in the United States.
Volta Zero electric truck to make its French debut on customer tour
The Volta Zero, the first purpose-built full-electric large commercial vehicle, will make its French debut at a series of high-profile customer and supplier events, starting in Paris on Monday 15 February and running for four weeks.
VOLTA ZERO MAKES ITS FRENCH DEBUT ahead of customer deliveries in late 2021
The Volta Zero, the first purpose-built full-electric large commercial vehicle, will make its French debut at a series of high-profile customer and supplier events, starting in Paris on Monday 15 February and running for four weeks.
Volta is a European start-up that launched a prototype version of its Zero full-electric 16-tonne in September 2020. The company expects European customer deliveries to begin by the end of 2021. Perfect for inner-city freight deliveries, the Zero has a pure-electric range of 150 - 200 kms (95 – 125 miles), the Volta Zero will eliminate an estimated 180,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2025 according to the company.
For the first time in France, the Volta Zero will be displayed with Swoopin, the global provider of sustainable transportation and urban logistics services, in south east Paris. In early January, Swoopin confirmed the use of the Volta Zero as part of their existing zero-emission fleet of electric vans, cars and eBikes, supporting their last-mile distribution hubs, and helping cities meet ambitious CO2 emissions targets. Over the four-week event, many potential and existing customers, fleet operators and suppliers will experience the Volta Zero, as well as introductions to local legislators and policymakers.
The Volta Zero in Swoopin livery, ready for its French debut. Image: Volta
Under current legislation, internal combustion engine commercial vehicles will be banned from operating in Paris from 2024 as all French cities of more than 150,000 residents adopt new Low Emissions Zones. As part of this legislation, the French government is offering incentives of up to €50,000 for the transition to zero emission commercial vehicles, making the acceleration of fleet electrification of paramount importance to French fleet operators.
Confirming the French debut, Chief Executive Officer of Volta Trucks, Rob Fowler, said; “With the imminent changes in legislation in French cities, it’s clear that the adoption of electric commercial vehicles needs to accelerate very quickly. Currently there is a real shortage of electrified products on offer to fleet operators, but with the Volta Zero, we can show our important French customers that we have a compelling solution that meets their needs.
“When our founders created Volta Trucks, they didn’t want to just offer a zero-emission vehicle, but to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles as a whole, especially in city centres where air quality is at its worst. In bringing the Volta Zero to France, we also hope to stimulate a wider awareness of full electric vehicles in the commercial sector and thus, help improve the air quality and environment for all French city inhabitants.”
