An Australian lithium-ion battery manufacturer recently announced that it will develop a defence-grade cyber-secure Battery Management System (BMS) for its superStorage family of batteries that are to be manufactured in Tomago, NSW.
The AUS$1.46 million BMS project is jointly funded and developed by the lithium-ion battery manufacturer with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and the Innovative Manufacturing CRC (IMCRC).
The BMS will monitor and report on the battery’s usage, lifespan and faults through a mobile network to the manufacturer and their customers. Communicating through an inverter, the system will enable secure real-time data, analytics and remote management to drive down the risk of battery failure and operating costs for grid-scale energy storage users.
The Technology and Development Director of the lithium-ion battery manufacturer stated that this collaboration between the firm, CSIRO, and IMCRC will promote an Australian Battery Management System instead of relying on an overseas technology platform. The software designed and developed in Australia has a strong global reputation and the manufacturer has built a history and track record as an industry.
“Working together with CSIRO will ensure we can create a world-class defence-grade cyber-secure Battery Management System that is fully developed and managed in Australia for critical energy storage infrastructures,” he said.
Through this project, the aim is to demonstrate the advantage that Australian intellectual property can bring to a highly competitive energy storage market where a superior Battery Management System is critical for the operating efficiency of a battery.
The Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO said that the agency is delighted to be working with the lithium-ion battery manufacturer to develop a Battery Management System that is the ‘nerve centre’ of a battery, and will make batteries safer, more affordable and optimised to operate in high-temperature environments.
The partnership validates CSIRO’s capabilities to collaborate, train and transfer skills for the advanced manufacturing of batteries.
The CEO and Managing Director at IMCRC sees the research collaboration between the lithium-ion battery manufacturer and CSIRO as a catalyst for further establishing an Australian battery manufacturing sector. He noted that the growing interest in renewable energy and thus demand for lithium-ion batteries provides a great opportunity for Australia.
By accessing local knowledge and expertise, this project will demonstrate how Industry 4.0 technologies and principles can be utilised to establish a viable Australian battery manufacturing sector for the benefit of all Australians, and as a national manufacturing priority. The commitment from all involved in this project will help position and strengthen the value and influence of Australia’s role as a strategic partner in the global lithium-ion battery value chain.
The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, who launched Australia’s Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing manufacturing road map at Energy Renaissance’s site earlier this month, welcomed the research collaboration.
It was noted that this project is a great example of how local industry and research organisations can work together to turn an innovative idea into a high-value product that strengthens Australia’s competitive advantage and secures greater investment and market share.
The lithium-ion battery manufacturer’s 4,500 sqm purpose-built facility in Tomago, NSW will manufacture Australian made batteries that are safe, secure, affordable and optimised to perform in hot climates.
These batteries will power stationary (grid and microgrid, renewables, community storage, mining electrification, Defence SilentWatch applications) and transport (buses, light commercial and industrial vehicles) applications.