Western Australia’s GreenTech Hub has announced the five Champions of its first innovation challenge, highlighting emerging technologies that could help address the State’s unique energy storage needs.
The challenge, titled Long Game Energy Storage, attracted 31 submissions from Australia and overseas and focused on identifying solutions capable of delivering reliable, low-emissions energy storage for remote communities and energy-intensive industries across Western Australia.
Following a technical and commercial evaluation process, Allegro Energy, BroadBit Batteries, e-Zinc, Isothermix and Knode were selected as the Challenge Champions. The judging panel assessed entries based on their technical robustness, alignment with Western Australia’s energy requirements and potential for deployment in local conditions.
In addition, judges recognised CO₂ Onboard, an early-stage Western Australian technology, for its high potential among emerging solutions.
The GreenTech Hub is hosted by Curtin University and was established through a four-year, $40 million Lower Carbon Grants Program and GreenTech Hub funding agreement between the Western Australian Government and the Chevron-operated Gorgon Joint Venture. The initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of green technology solutions across the State.
The inaugural challenge focused on long-duration energy storage (LDES), which has been identified as a key capability for improving grid reliability, supporting remote power systems and enabling lower-emissions operations across Western Australia’s resource sector.
Many mining and industrial operations in remote regions currently rely heavily on diesel and other fossil fuels for power. Long-duration storage technologies offer the potential to support renewable energy integration, reduce operating costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Interest in the challenge was strong, with submissions received from across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. An independent judging panel that included representatives from organisations such as CSIRO, Fortescue, Woodside and Worley reviewed the entries.
Twelve finalists were ultimately selected and invited to present their technologies during West Tech Fest in Perth in December. The five Champions will now participate in a tailored support program through the GreenTech Hub, which will connect them with industry, research and government stakeholders to help progress their technologies and explore deployment opportunities in Western Australia.
