Energy

MGA Thermal achieves world-first 24/7 renewable industrial steam

Australian innovation delivers continuous, cost-effective clean steam for industry, positioning MGA Thermal at the forefront of decarbonisation with its groundbreaking latent heat energy storage. After more than ten years of development and breakthrough materials engineering, MGA Thermal’s world-first commercial Electro-Thermal Energy Storage (ETES) system – capable of dispatching industrial-grade steam from renewable energy – has now gone live. Anna Starrett, Mark Croudace, Alexander Post, Erich Kisi, Glen Reynolds. This groundbreaking ETES technology significantly outperforms conventional sensible heat thermal storage, offering a viable pathway to 24/7 renewable heat for industries, effectively replacing reliance on carbon-intensive fossil fuels. MGA Thermal’s utilisation of latent heat means that energy is stored more compactly, both in physical plant footprint and storage temperature range. This serves to make latent heat ETES more space efficient, reliable, energy efficient and affordable than sensible heat storage. The fully operational demonstration plant, unveiled today, has produced steam output while the storage material undergoes a material phase change to release latent heat, establishing MGA Thermal as a unique solution provider in the urgent global effort to decarbonise heavy industry. Steam, the workhorse of industrial manufacturing for centuries, underpins 44% of Australia’s energy consumption in heavy industries alone, with half dedicated to heat generation. Globally, industrial heat accounts for a staggering 25% of energy use and emissions, historically locking industries into carbon-intensive practices. MGA Thermal’s newly commissioned demonstration plant shatters this paradigm by converting intermittent renewable electricity into reliably stored thermal energy, ready for on-demand steam generation. This breakthrough unlocks a tangible route to net-zero industrial operations, with the potential to scale to GWh storage capacities, meeting the vast clean heat demands of the world’s largest production facilities. Located at MGA Thermal’s Tomago site, the compact demonstration unit (12m long, 3m wide, 4m tall) stores 5 MWh of energy with a 500kW thermal dispatch […]

China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment?

Marina Yue Chang, Associate Professor, Technology and Innovation, University of Technology Sydney. In the escalating trade war between the United States and China, one notable exception stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were strategically exempted from tariffs. This was not a gesture of goodwill. It was a tacit acknowledgment of the United States’ deep dependence on China for materials essential to its technological competitiveness, clean energy transition and national defence. Beijing’s response was swift and calculated. China’s Ministry of Commerce announced expanded export controls and a shift in pricing principles. The move reflects China’s long-standing effort to shift rare earth pricing from market supply and demand to pricing based on their strategic value. The impact was immediate. Rare earth exports from China effectively ground to a halt, as exporters awaited approvals under a new, opaque licensing regime. The announcement prompted President Trump to issue a new executive order directing a review of national security risks stemming from the US reliance on imported, processed critical minerals. As global supply chains reel from these disruptions, Australia finds itself in a unique strategic position. As a trusted US ally, it possesses the resources, partnerships and political capital to step into the breach. But can Australia seize this opportunity – or will it come with strings attached? China’s new playbook China’s latest restrictions target seven rare earths – such as dysprosium and terbium – crucial for electric vehicles, wind turbines, fighter jets and missile systems. While stopping short of a full export ban, the policy functions as a chokepoint. It leverages China’s near-total global control of rare earth refining (around 90%) and its monopoly on heavy rare earth processing (98%). Domestically, China’s rare earth sector is dominated by two state-owned giants which together control nearly 100% of national mining quotas. These measures have exposed the vulnerability of Western supply chains. The US has only one operational rare earth mine […]

Statement on the Coalition’s Frontier Economics gas policy modelling

Attributable to Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch The Frontier Economics modelling of the Coalition’s gas price controls policy leaves many unanswered questions about how the policy would work and reaffirms industry’s fundamental concerns. The policy would introduce price controls in the east coast gas market and would be yet another heavy-handed intervention that will drive away investment and risk exacerbating the supply pressures in the longer term. The Coalition rightly opposed a similar policy in 2022, when the Federal Government introduced price caps that ultimately delayed new supply and damaged investor confidence. At the time, the Coalition noted that “price caps in the gas market would be a disaster” that could lead to “a collapse in industry confidence resulting in job losses and long-term investment downturns”, and cited EnergyQuest modelling “that showed a $10-per-gigajoule cap could remove or delay more than 700 petajoules of new gas supply in less than eight years.” Rather than increasing gas supply, the Coalition’s policy risks reducing domestic gas production and supply because there would be no incentive to produce sub-economic gas, and it would damage already suppressed investor confidence. The modelling also ignores the material infrastructure constraints that limit how much gas from Queensland can be sent to the southern states, with the pipes already running at full capacity during peak periods – a point the Coalition made less than six months ago. There is much in the Coalition’s broader gas plan that is welcome and responds to what industry has been calling for, including streamlining environmental approvals, providing more certainty and protection from lawfare for critical energy projects, including gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme, and support for pipeline and storage to address infrastructure constraints. We will continue to work with both major parties on sustainable solutions that promote a functioning, […]

CIC and Jinko Solar to jointly develop a 10GW green hydrogen blueprint

Climate Impact Corporation (“CIC”) has a Memorandum of Understanding with Jinko Solar, a significant step in CIC’s development of an end-to-end renewable hydrogen supply chain. The two parties will engage in deep cooperation in areas such as PV module production and supply, equipment technology synergy, and more, to jointly promote the large-scale application of renewable energy-based hydrogen production. As one of the largest and leading solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers in the world, Jinko brings extensive expertise, enabling CIC to develop its renewable hydrogen modules at pace and scale. Solar power generation is a key component of CIC’s renewable hydrogen production modules, which are able to operate entirely off-grid, and consist of solar panels, atmospheric water generators, and electrolysers. CIC Co-Founder, James Ieong commented on the announcement, “To produce the volume of renewable hydrogen that matches the offtake demand that what we’ve secured for our two 10GW projects in Australia and is growing rapidly around the world, scale is critical. We need the capability to produce tens of thousands of renewable hydrogen modules, and to do this, we need partners with deep experience and scale. “We’re delighted that Jinko will play a significant role in our development of our end-to-end supply chain which enables us with a new approach to renewable hydrogen. This partnership with Jinko will be critical in furthering CIC’s pathway towards a competitive price of $2 per kilogram of renewable hydrogen.” Michael Wang, the General Manager for Oceania Region at Jinko Solar added: “We’ve been through an energy transition before with the rise of renewables such as solar power. We understand what requirements a successful energy transition need. We knew there was an opportunity to reduce the costs of solar electricity, and we’ve done this successfully, and at scale. We’re excited to partner with CIC on the […]

Internationally patented PHA bioplastics meet world-class sustainable packaging design

A powerful partnership between two award-winning industry leaders – EcoPHA, a biotechnology pioneer in PHA bioplastics, and Terra Sol, a design-driven leader in compostable packaging – is setting a new global standard for sustainable materials. By merging scientific breakthroughs with cutting-edge product design, EcoPHA and Terra Sol are delivering truly home-compostable, commercially viable alternatives to fossil-fuel plastics, helping businesses future-proof against environmental regulations and consumer demand for plastic-free solutions. A Scientific & Design Breakthrough: The First PHA from Pongamia Oil Through its globally patented process, EcoPHA has developed the ability to convert non-edible Pongamia oil, derived from the resilient Pongamia tree, into PHA bioplastics, a fully home-compostable, non-toxic alternative to traditional plastics. This game-changing innovation aligns with global sustainability targets, offering industries such as packaging, food service, mining and manufacturing a cost-effective, circular solution for reducing plastic waste. Meanwhile, Terra Sol’s expertise in designing and commercialising sustainable packaging ensures that PHA moves beyond the lab and into practical, scalable applications for businesses worldwide. “EcoPHA’s technology is world-first, but technology alone doesn’t drive change – people do. That’s why our partnership with them is so powerful,” said Louise Sykes, CEO of Terra Sol. “Together, we’re making it easier for businesses to adopt truly sustainable solutions without compromising performance or affordability.” A Game-Changer in Bioplastics & Sustainable Packaging By combining award-winning biotechnology and world-class product design, EcoPHA and Terra Sol deliver the first truly scalable compostable packaging solution that balances sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and real-world usability: -100% Home Compostable (AS 5810 Certified) – Unlike PLA and other industrial bioplastics, PHA breaks down naturally in compost, soil, and marine environments, leaving zero microplastics. -Cost-Effective & Scalable – Terra Sol has designed PHA-based cups, lids, straws, and cutlery for mass adoption, proving that businesses don’t have to choose between affordability and sustainability. -Carbon Credit Potential […]

Allegro Secures U.S. Patent, Cementing Its Global Leadership in Next-Generation Energy Storage

Innovative micro-emulsion electrolyte technology positions Allegro as a frontrunner in the race for long-duration energy storage solution Allegro Energy has been granted a U.S. patent for its cutting-edge micro-emulsion electrolyte technology, further solidifying its position as a global leader in long-duration energy storage. This milestone follows previous patent successes in Europe and several other key markets, showcasing the international significance of Allegro’s breakthrough approach. Allegro’s modular micro-emulsion electrolyte system is a game-changer for the energy storage industry, enabling safer, more cost-effective, and scalable solutions for applications ranging from grid storage to renewable energy integration. By overcoming key limitations of traditional aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes, Allegro’s technology significantly expands the electrochemical stability window, enhancing energy density while maintaining the affordability and safety of water-based systems. “The U.S. patent reinforces Allegro’s ability to deliver a truly global and transformative solution for long-duration energy storage,” said Dr. Thomas Nann, CEO and Co-Founder Allegro Energy. “With energy storage playing a crucial role in the renewable transition, our micro-emulsion platform ensures scalability and adaptability across a range of battery chemistries, from redox flow to advanced ion batteries.” The key advantage of Allegro’s micro-emulsion technology is its ability to dissolve a wider range of electrochemically active species, while maintaining stability at high voltages – previously a major barrier to the adoption of aqueous electrolytes in advanced energy storage. The solution is applicable to multiple battery formats, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, magnesium-ion, and aluminum-ion batteries, as well as supercapacitors and redox flow batteries. With this latest U.S. patent covering all of Allegro’s intended claims, Allegro Energy is well-positioned to partner with utilities, industrial operators, and battery manufacturers worldwide to drive the future of clean energy storage, and rapidly support the drive to 24/7 carbon-free energy.

Whyalla can be upgraded to green steel and why we need to keep steel production in Australia

Daniel Rossetto, Adjunct, Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources, University of Adelaide Financial challenges at the Whyalla steelworks in South Australia have reignited debate about the nation’s steel industry and its future. Australians should have access to quality steel at competitive prices. The domestic steel production industry employs tens of thousands of people. The state and federal governments have stepped in, however, announcing a A$1.9 billion support package for Whyalla, together with a new $1 billion green iron investment fund. Half of the new fund will be allocated to Whyalla to support its transition to green steel production. That’s a large amount of money for a privately owned business. So, are the new packages going to be money well spent? To answer that question, let’s examine the priorities. A national priority Steel is an industry in which securing sovereign production capability is crucial. Sovereign capability means ensuring an industry can survive external shocks such as interruptions to shipping routes or disputes with other countries in the supply chain. Steel is a vital input for defence industries such as ship and submarine building. What could be said of a country’s autonomy – or its sovereign capability – if it relies on others for the steel needed for its defence? Whyalla is one of the two largest steelworks in Australia, the other being BlueScope’s Port Kembla plant. At least at first glance, the green iron investment fund seems to deal with the sovereign capability criterion well enough. Whyalla appears an ideal candidate. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas visit Whyalla Steelworks in Whyalla last week. Isabella Ward/AAP However, the public subsidy is large. The subsidised plant’s ability to operate in an economically competitive manner needs to be examined. Further, while the Whyalla plant began its life as a supplier to an adjacent shipbuilding operation, […]

Hycel research partnership to deliver fuel cells to the aviation industry

Deakin University’s Hycel and AMSL Aero are pleased to announce a research partnership that will help to deliver higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells for aviation applications. This industry-research partnership exemplifies Deakin’s pivotal role in supporting industry innovations that deliver a more sustainable world. Hycel Director Professor Tiffany Walsh said: ‘Hycel’s role is to support industry to develop, test, scale and adopt hydrogen technologies to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We do this by providing specialist hydrogen infrastructure, equipment, expertise and research insights that are currently unavailable to Australian industry.’ Hycel Technology Hub, at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus in southwest Victoria, is equipped with high pressure, high flow hydrogen labs, the only hydrogen fuel cell testing equipment of its kind in Australia, and has provision for industry co-location. AMSL Aero is the first industry partner to access commercial testing of fuel cells at Hycel, following the facility’s official opening in October 2024. AMSL Aero’s Senior Project Engineer Simon Coburn said: ‘AMSL Aero’s partnership with Hycel will help to verify fuel cell performance and durability for remote and regional flight applications, which is a key step in the development of Vertiia, Australia’s first passenger-capable, emission-free, long-range hydrogen-powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. “Our partnership leverages hydrogen expertise from AMSL’s international fuel cell partner, and combined with AMSL and Hycel personnel, develops cross sector hydrogen expertise for Australia.’ AMSL Aero is a home-grown Australian aerospace company with a clear mission to manufacture an aircraft that will save lives as an air ambulance and emergency response vehicle and quietly revolutionise passenger and cargo transit in remote and regional areas. Vertiia is powered by hydrogen and provides fast, emissions-free air transport. It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter and uses less energy per seat than a high-speed train. Hycel is Deakin University’s hydrogen hub with […]

Karratha Gas Plant, North West Shelf Project

North West Shelf extension delay another regulatory fail

The Federal Government’s decision to delay its assessment of the North West Shelf extension is a blow to Western Australia’s energy security and another example of how our national environmental laws are failing. Australian Energy Producers Chief Executive Samantha McCulloch said the North West Shelf project has been powering WA homes and industry for 40 years and will play a critical role in the state’s future energy security and economic prosperity. “After six years of environmental assessment and having secured state government approval, there is simply no justification for further regulatory delays,” Ms McCulloch said. “This is yet another example of the open-ended and uncertain approval processes that are driving away investment and damaging Australia’s reputation as a stable, predictable country to do business. “The extension of the North West Shelf project is needed to ensure reliable and affordable gas supply to Western Australians, with the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasting gas shortfalls in the State from 2030.” WA’s gas industry is a driving force behind the state’s economy, providing 54 per cent of WA’s primary energy and 60 per cent of the state’s electricity. The industry contributes $35 billion a year to the WA economy and supports more than 73,000 jobs in the state. Natural gas also provides more than half the energy used by WA’s mining and minerals processing sector and supports emissions reductions in WA and the region. A recent independent report by EnergyQuest found that without new gas investment, Western Australia would run out of gas for electricity from the early-2030s and its mining and industrial sectors would be left without gas from mid-2030s. “The Federal Government must provide certainty to the millions of WA households and businesses that depend on gas and rule out any further delays to this critical energy security project,” Ms McCulloch […]

NT gas industry welcomes crackdown on activist lawfare

The NT gas industry says the Territory Government’s moves to clamp down on lawfare will boost investment and energy security. Australian Energy Producers NT Director David Slama welcomed the Petroleum, Planning and Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, set to be introduced in Parliament this week, as an important step in stopping activist groups from vexatiously using the legal system to delay critical gas projects in the Territory. “We commend the Territory Government for moving decisively to stamp out activist lawfare putting at risk economic and energy security for Territorians,” Mr Slama said. “At a time when Australians are facing cost-of-living pressures, the Territory Government has recognised the need to remove barriers to new gas supply so Territorians continue to have reliable and affordable energy. “It is not in the public interest for activist lawyers to damage the Territory’s attractiveness as a place to do business and to invest, undermining our economic and energy security.” Mr Slama said activists exploiting the Merits Review process had deterred much-needed investment in the Territory. “A long list of vexatious cases has exposed the extreme tactics of activists who are more interested in delaying projects than genuinely representing the interests of Territory communities,” he said. “Removing the Merits Review process is a significant step towards streamlining approval processes to enable new gas supply to be brought online sooner. “We need to expedite project delivery and improve environmental outcomes.”

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