During the launch, Minister Husic announced Li-S Energy had been awarded an Industry Growth Program (IGP) Commercialisation and Growth Grant of $1.7 million to develop Australia’s first lithium foil production facility.

Related article: Li-S Energy announces plan for 200MWh battery facility

Li-S Energy is an Australian company, commercialising unique Australian IP from Deakin University for lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries, which are far lighter than the comparable lithium-ion batteries. The batteries offer key performance advantages where weight is critical, such as in drones, electric aviation and defence applications.

The new state-of-the-art production facility is the largest of its kind in Australia, installed inside Australia’s largest battery dry room. Built at a cost of over $10 million, the facility spans the entire production process from creating and coating cathode powders to final cell fabrication and testing.

With the support of the IGP Grant announced by Minister Husic, Li-S Energy plans to extend beyond its cell manufacturing capability to produce high-quality lithium foils and laminates from lithium metal ingots.

Lithium metal foil is used as the anode for both lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries, but current imported supply has limited quality and is not optimised for Li-S cells. This will be a new sovereign manufacturing capability for Australia, reducing supply chain risk and increasing the value of Australia’s advanced battery material exports.

Related article: Li-S Energy wins $1.35M grant for ‘dawn to dusk’ drone

Li-S Energy CEO Dr Lee Finniear said, “Australia currently produces 52% of the world’s lithium ore, yet much of this is exported without adding additional value.

“With global demand for lithium metal foil forecast to reach US$51 billion by 2032, Australia has a unique opportunity to capitalise on this emerging market to produce lithium foils here, adding value here, before exporting this high-value product to global markets.”

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The factory will produce 300 batteries a year and create 300 jobs on the Gold Coast, capable of serving up to 100 Queensland households with reliable and cheaper renewable energy.

Related article: For a ‘future made in Australia’, we need more innovation and diverse people in science and tech

eLumina CEO Lisa Marsh said onshore manufacturing of critical EV technology, such as chargers and batteries, was essential to Australia’s energy future.

“Global demand for batteries is soaring. We have record solar uptake and energy generation in Australia, but we need battery storage at scale to harness its full potential,” she said.

“Through battery storage we can capture this energy and ensure reliable and cheaper off-grid power to all Australians. This insulates communities from power outages and saves them money.

“Queensland has the potential to become a world leader in next-generation battery manufacturing and research and development. Our centre is just the start of that. We are committed to making a fundamental difference to Australia’s clean energy economy.

“We’re building this facility using local talent and locally sourced parts and materials. Once it’s completed, it will support 300 high-skilled jobs, which will draw on the region’s talent.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the Gold Coast had an ambitious plan to secure a larger slice of the clean energy sector and the high skilled jobs it’s creating.

“Our Economic and Climate Resilience and Sustainability Strategies are all about backing the Gold Coast to use renewable energy and boost the uptake of renewables.

“I’m excited to see the thousands of EV chargers and batteries set to be deployed in Australia over the coming years to be stamped ‘Made on the Gold Coast’.”

Related article: The government’s cash splash aims to kickstart Australia’s battery industry. Has it flipped the right switches?

To accelerate the deployment of its EV chargers across the country, eLumina has partnered with Addelec (formerly known as Gemtek), a leading installer of EV charging stations with national asset management capabilities.

The factory is set to be operational by August 2024.

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This year’s federal budget is making up for decades of lost time—both in our clean energy transition and in betting on new technological breakthroughs.

The Future Made in Australia Act holds tantalising potential for building Australian science, research and development. The aim is to turn Australia into an innovation and clean technology superpower.

It includes big climate change investments that would leverage our comparative advantage in net-zero technologies, such as green hydrogen and battery storage. There’s also the promise to jumpstart new industries by building on our critical minerals assets and growing advanced manufacturing.

Australia has natural advantages in these areas. We have resources such as mineral wealth, abundant sunlight and wind. We also have a solid research and development track record.

Despite this, historic underinvestment in Australian innovation means Australia is starting from the back of the pack compared to partners like the United States, Japan and Germany. These countries spend more than 3% of their GDP on the research and development that powers and future-proofs their economies.

Which raises the question: are the investments announced in this budget in the right places if we’re really going to prime a future-ready Australia underpinned by science and technology? Let’s get into the significant investments aimed at boosting key areas.

Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables

A future manufactured in Australia

With the Future Made in Australia policy, the government aims to directly invest in building Australian industry, particularly manufacturing. This would reduce our dependency on other countries and power the net-zero transformation. It would also build up our resilience to shocks, such as increasingly severe and unpredictable weather extremes or global pandemics.

The net-zero investments are promising:

• $549 million over eight years for battery manufacturing
• $8 billion in renewable hydrogen tax incentives over 10 years
• $7.1 billion over 11 years in critical minerals processing tax incentives.

These are areas where we have a comparative advantage in the global supply chain. They are also fundamental for the clean energy jobs of the future.

Overall, it’s the start of strong investments in Australia’s green energy future. However, what will make or break the Future Made in Australia plan will be investment in research and development.

Reviving the innovation sector

Investment in the application of great Australian research, and in the creation and application of new knowledge has been woefully low for years. It remains so in this year’s budget.

Yet, it’s fundamental if we want thriving homegrown manufacturing, particularly in technologies where we have a clear comparative advantage, such as batteries, advanced computing and medical technologies.

Research is also important to create robust industries and support a skilled national workforce.

On this front, the budget contains a research and development review. It is welcome, but decades overdue.

The review will need to be accompanied by action, including greater investment from both government and industry to overcome a decade of falling research and development investment.

The budget does contain some measures for bolstering modern research and research infrastructure. One example is the recently announced PsiQuantum quantum computer to be built in Brisbane.

Our future prosperity and security depend on investment in the underpinning skills, knowledge and infrastructure that produce discoveries, along with a highly trained future workforce.

Related article: Australia is playing catch-up with the Future Made in Australia Act. Will it be enough?

Educating our future science and technology innovators

With this in mind, STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) education is also a mixed bag in this year’s budget.

New payments for students with study placements in teaching, nursing and social work are a positive move—but many more degrees with practical placements are not covered, including engineering. We urgently need more engineers, and this shortage will only grow as we transition to clean energy.

Diversity in STEM industries will also be fundamental to addressing our national skill shortages. A welcome measure is the promise of $38.2 million for programs to increase diversity in STEM. These will build on proven initiatives, alongside the Elevate scholarship program delivered by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

On the negative side, new restrictions on international student numbers are short-sighted and unmeasured. This decision came with little consultation and will likely reduce the funding universities have available for infrastructure upgrades, research and support for high-quality education.

Overall, the budget provides welcome backing to build clean energy systems and return to homegrown manufacturing. But if we’re really serious about claiming our place as a global innovation and clean energy player, we need to invest properly in Australian science, innovation and people.

Disclosure statement: Kylie Walker is the CEO of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) which receives funding from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. She is the chair of Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia which receives funding from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons

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Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton said this year’s Budget demonstrated “resolute and ambitious leadership” by the Albanese Government on the nation’s clean energy transition.

Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables

“The government is doubling down on clean energy, which will deliver lower electricity prices, thousands of jobs in the clean economy and will set Australia up to fulfil its potential as a clean energy superpower,” he said.

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie also described the 2024-25 Federal Budget as a “decisive turn towards Australia’s clean energy future”.

McKenzie said, “Gas and coal are not part of the budget’s vision for a Future Made in Australia, underlining that our next era of prosperity can be built on cleaner foundations. This is an essential signal across our entire economy.

“Building a renewable future and clean industrial base will deliver good jobs and greater prospects for Australians. This is critical to slash climate pollution and protect our kids’ future.

“Both sides of politics should back this vision for Australia.”

The 2024-25 Budget includes:

Power bill relief

Headlining the 2024-25 Federal Budget is a $3.5 billion energy bill relief scheme that aims to alleviate pressure on households and small businesses struggling to manage rising electricity prices. More than 10 million households will receive a rebate of $300 while eligible small businesses will get back $325 on their energy bills throughout the year.

Investment in renewable capacity

The government is unlocking more than $65 billion of investment in renewable capacity through the Capacity Investment Scheme by 2030.

Measures include investing $27.7 million to integrate consumer energy resources like batteries and solar into the grid, while the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will save Australians around $95 billion at the bowser by 2050 and reduce transport emissions.

Future Made in Australia

The government’s $1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund delivers a 10‑year extension of funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) as well as the $44.4 million Energy Industry Jobs Plan and $134.2 million for skills and employment support in key regions.

The Future Made in Australia package establishes time‑limited incentives to invest in new industries. The Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive will make Australia’s pipeline of hydrogen projects commercial sooner, at an estimated cost of $6.7 billion over the decade. This Budget also expands the Hydrogen Headstart program by $1.3 billion.

Green exports

The 2024-25 Budget provides $32.2 million to fast‑track the initial phase of the Guarantee of Origin scheme, focused on renewable hydrogen, and bring forward the expansion of the scheme to accredit the emissions content of green metals and low‑carbon liquid fuels.

The government is also working closely with trading partners to identify opportunities to drive greater supply chain transparency and better market recognition of high environmental, social and governance standards in the critical minerals sector.

Net zero transformation

Australia is committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and is developing six sector plans covering electricity and energy; transport; industry; resources; agriculture and land; and the built environment.

The Budget continues investment in effective emissions abatement, including through $63.8 million to support emissions reduction efforts in the agriculture and land sector.

The government is also investing $399 million to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority and support the economy‑wide net zero transformation. This Budget also invests an additional $48 million in reforms to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme and $20.7 million to improve community engagement.

Resources and critical minerals

The government is investing $8.8 billion over the decade to add more value to Australia’s resources and strengthen critical minerals supply chains. The Budget establishes a production tax incentive for processing and refining critical minerals at an estimated cost of $7 billion over the decade. It commits up to $1.2 billion in strategic critical minerals projects through the Critical Minerals Facility and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, and pre‑feasibility studies for common user precincts.

This is in addition to $566.1 million to support Geoscience Australia to map all of Australia’s critical minerals, strategic materials, groundwater and other resources essential for the transition to net zero.

Manufacturing clean energy technologies

The government is committing $1.5 billion to manufacturing clean energy technologies, including the $1 billion Solar Sunshot and $523.2 million Battery Breakthrough Initiative. These investments will be delivered by ARENA.

Related article: Australia invests in resource mapping for energy transition

Strengthening supply chains

To support the delivery of the 82% renewable energy target, the Government has formed the National Renewable Energy Supply Chain Action Plan with states and territories. The Government will invest an additional $14.3 million working with trade partners to support global rules on unfair trade practices and to negotiate benchmarks for trade in high-quality critical minerals.

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Make it here: building Australia’s clean industrial future by independent thinktank Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE) underscores the critical need for decisive action to best harness Australia’s abundant resources and raw minerals, and build on our innovation as the world accelerates efforts to move to net zero.

Related article: AGL and SunDrive explore solar manufacturing at Hunter Hub

BZE CEO Heidi Lee said, “From making batteries to recycling steel, the future is already being made in Australia. We have the skills, capabilities and key technologies needed for a zero emissions economy—let’s put them to work.”

Key findings of the report include:

• Growing just five onshore cleantech supply chains—solar, wind, batteries, heat pumps and commercial EVs—can generate $215 billion in domestic revenue and create up to 53,000 new ongoing jobs by 2035.
• Australia possesses the necessary natural resources, innovation capabilities, and manufacturing capacity to play an important role in the global energy transition.
• Battery technologies emerge as the most promising sector for Australia’s economic growth and decarbonisation efforts, potentially creating up to 20,000 jobs and $114 billion revenue by 2035.
• Smart investment in industries and regional communities will support places such as Gladstone, Qld, Kwinana, WA, and the Hunter Valley, NSW, to diversify from a fossil fuel past and grow a clean technology future.

Key recommendations from the report are to:

1. provide time-limited financial support to build competitive Australian cleantech manufacturing industries;
2. ensure demand for Australian-made cleantech grows;
3. focus cleantech manufacturing in clean industry hubs; and
4. develop a circular economy.

“With the right support, Australia can meet global markets’ demand for refined critical minerals, and support onshore demand for cleantech products. Smart investment in supply chains is critical for Australia’s energy security, long-term jobs market and decarbonisation efforts,” Lee said.

Related article: Roadmap paves path for Australian solar PV manufacturing

“We need to build capability at the top and tail of cleantech supply chains so we are better equipped to capture the benefits from our consumer products right through to waste that we currently have to bury or ship overseas.

“We don’t need to do everything, everywhere and all at once. We need to double down on doing more of what we know, and support the communities, industries and businesses already set up and ready to make Australia’s future.”

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ARENA, in consultation with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), will design the program, which aims to accelerate the development of Australia’s solar manufacturing industry.

Related article: AGL and SunDrive explore solar manufacturing at Hunter Hub

ARENA has published a consultation paper outlining a proposed structure for the program that could see the program delivered through a series of funding rounds supporting targeted stages of the supply chain.

Under the program, production-linked payments are proposed to be the primary form of financial support. ARENA will also, informed by consultation, assess how capital grant funding or other forms of concessional support can be used to complement production-linked payments to achieve the program objectives.

ARENA will be accepting written submissions through online forms on the Sunshot webpage and hosting two consultation webinars.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the consultation process would help ARENA to determine the best approach for delivering the $1 billion package.

“ARENA will be working closely with industry to design a program that supports innovative and competitive solar PV manufacturing that is critical to securing Australia’s role in the transition to a net zero world,” Miller said.

“The scale at which solar needs to be deployed to meet our climate targets means that we cannot rely solely on importing solar panels from overseas. Australia can drive a greater role in PV production to make our supply chain less vulnerable.

“We’ll be using our deep industry connections and over a decade of experience accelerating Australia’s shift to renewables to ensure the program delivers for industry, communities and all Australians.

Related article: Rooftop solar makes up 11.2% of Australia’s electricity supply

“There is a credible pathway for building a solar manufacturing industry in Australia. A collaborative and committed approach from government and the private sector gives us the best chance at tackling this challenge.”

The consultation remains open until 31 May 2024. Click here for more information about the program.

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The government will provide $400 million in new loans to Australian company Alpha HPA to deliver Australia’s first high-purity alumina processing facility in Queensland.

Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables

The company will use Australian owned IP and technology to process high purity alumina—a critical mineral used in LED lighting, semiconductors, and lithium-ion batteries and other high-tech applications.

The government has also conditionally approved $185 million to Renascor Resources to fast track the development of Stage One of its Siviour Graphite Project in South Australia. The original loan was approved in February 2022, and this decision means that Stage One of the project will be brought forward sooner.

Renascor Resources will deliver the sustainable and ethically sourced production of Australian-made purified graphite, for use in lithium-ion batteries required for electric vehicles and renewable technologies.

The Critical Minerals Facility has now committed to support projects and jobs across the country, including in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, “We are building a future made in Australia with secure jobs in our regions. Today we are demonstrating what that means here in Gladstone and in South Australia.

Related article: Government pledges $2 billion towards critical minerals

“The global race for new jobs and new opportunities is on. Our Government wants Australia to be in it to win it.

“These two critical minerals projects will help secure good and secure jobs in manufacturing, and clean, reliable energy.”

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Australia is a trading nation. Its economy relies on a strong and open global trade environment.

Australian governments have historically rejected protectionist industrial policies that undermine fair competition, and Canberra has long been a staunch advocate of the World Trade Organization, whose rules help “promote and protect the open global trading system”.

Yet Labor has just announced a major new industrial policy—the Future Made in Australia Act—that will break with Canberra’s historical aversion to large-scale economic intervention. It will also cost taxpayers billions to fund.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s rationale for doing so is as succinct as it is paradoxical:
This is not old-fashioned protectionism or isolationism—it is the new competition … we must recognise that the partners we seek are moving to the beat of a new economic reality.

What is this “new reality”, and what does it mean for Australia’s economic future?

Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables

Australia joins the “geoeconomic game”

With this announcement, Australia has joined the great “geoeconomic game” currently transforming the world economy.

In a geoeconomic world economy, nations use economic relations as tools to achieve their strategic goals.

This could include coercing a country to change its policies by blocking their imports, as China has done to Australia. Or using export controls to prevent advanced technology reaching a strategic geopolitical rival, as the United States has applied to China to limit the flow of advanced semiconductors.

Under these conditions, relations between countries shift from win-win to zero-sum. The resulting risks and vulnerabilities can be leveraged by geopolitical foes. Growing concern over this shift is driving economic “ghettoisation”—countries that were already on friendly terms are trading more between themselves, and with those on less friendly terms, trading less.

Australia has already been participating in “friend-shoring”—the relocation of crucial supply chains to diplomatically friendlier countries.

New policies for a new business reality

Some countries have already established policies in recognition of the new realities of international business, speeding up the formation of these blocs.

Two major recent policies by the US—the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act—aim to boost US electric vehicle and semiconductor manufacturing, respectively, with hundreds of billions of dollars in new government spending.

Japan is also spending big to bring more semiconductor production onshore.

These policies have also attracted vast sums of new private investment in relevant “strategic sectors”—totalling more than half a trillion dollars in the US alone.

Levelling the playing field or distorting the market?

This new economic approach by Washington and Tokyo almost certainly breaches the World Trade Organization’s rules, because it discriminates in determining who can access funds and where things have to be made.

China has already launched a dispute against the US Inflation Reduction Act on these very grounds. But China itself is also the biggest user of industrial policy by far.

On one hand, the new US and Japanese industrial policies will distort global markets, but— returning to Albanese’s “new competition” paradox—level the playing field on the other.
Consider Indonesia’s rise to become a nickel exporting powerhouse.

Jakarta applied an export ban—illegal under World Trade Organization rules—on unprocessed nickel in 2020, while attracting investment from China, where state-owned enterprises can access subsidised financing.

Combined with poor environmental and labour standards during production, the effect was extremely low-cost Indonesian nickel, which undercut global prices. As a result, some Australian mines could face closure.

This situation was not the product of free markets, but rather of state intervention. Canberra needs its own plan to counter such policies.

How should business leaders respond?

We still don’t know the full details of Labor’s strategy. But if the act is anything like Washington’s policies, it will aim to boost Australian firms with protectionist and discriminatory provisions. Awkwardly, this could well be in breach of the international trade rules Canberra has staunchly defended for so long.

Levelling the playing field implies sweeping changes in the dynamics of international commerce, with implications for Australian businesses, consumers and government.
In formulating strategy, Australian business leaders will increasingly need to think geopolitically. The world is no longer one big open economy.

Australian industries will certainly get a shot in the arm from Labor’s new policy.
There will be more downstream value-add processing in areas of existing strength, such as critical minerals.

Major investments in solar manufacturing will benefit regional Australia. These and other strategic sectors will enjoy higher levels of government support. But many non-strategic sectors could be left behind, facing new geoeconomic costs without extra funding.

Related article: Why Biden’s renewables race could set Australia back

A new, smaller world

For consumers, the era of getting the most competitively priced goods on the global market is coming to a close.

As the global economy fragments, Australians will have to pay more for the duplication of global supply chains, and additional costs of subsidised production.

However, they may also see better supply chain security, and a domestic jobs boom in advanced manufacturing. Governments and businesses can work to reduce the risk of any economic coercion effects.

Much like the Old Testament principle of an “eye for an eye”, the principle of a “tariff for a tariff” is foundational in international trade. As Australia joins the geoeconomic game, pressure will mount on countries not yet playing to join in, simply to stay competitive.

Trade and industry measures will continue to proliferate globally, reinforcing the new dynamics of geoeconomic competition.

The Albanese government faces great risks in implementing its new industrial strategy. Yet in taking action, it may have avoided a much greater risk—doing nothing at all in the face of a historic global economic change.

Disclosure statement: Naoise McDonagh does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons

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Albanese said the Future Made in Australia Act would consolidate existing clean energy and manufacturing efforts, including the Hydrogen Headstart, Solar Sunshot and the government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.

Related article: AGL and SunDrive explore solar manufacturing at Hunter Hub

News of the policy was welcomed by Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton, who said, “It is positive news that the Federal Government has plans to back its vision with a substantial policy agenda, putting renewable energy at the centre of our economic future.

“The highlighted areas of hydrogen, green metals and advanced clean energy manufacturing and assembly are genuine opportunities for Australia to expand, grow and diversify our economy centred around clean energy and create further demand for a large and skilled clean energy workforce.

“The US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has vastly redefined the global race to net-zero and the challenge ahead for Australia’s own energy transition.

“While the size of Australia’s economy means we cannot match the full scale and reach of the IRA, smart and focused policy and funding support can leverage our comparative advantages and expand our markets and economy.

“Establishing a coordinated response and building a more competitive renewable energy industry at home will create new jobs and opportunities, help Australia and the world to meet its climate and emissions commitments and ultimately set Australia up for future economic success.”

Climate Council senior researcher Dr Wesley Morgan said, “The world is changing fast with a big shift to clean energy industries, and Australia needs to act quickly to seize our advantage. Change is coming no matter what, so holding onto coal and gas exports is like clutching our Kodak cameras as the rest of the world goes digital.

Related article: Why Biden’s renewables race could set Australia back

“Globally, the US’ stimulus for clean energy industries is pulling in enormous investment and reshaping energy supply chains. Making smart investments of our own can attract capital and more bright ideas to Australia as well, putting us at the heart of these new global energy and industry partnerships.

“With the right policy settings, the Future Made In Australia Act can unlock huge economic benefits—in new industries, more jobs and a safer climate future for every community. The federal government is making a smart choice by prioritising clean manufacturing.”

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ClearVue was founded in 1995 under the name Tropiglas to develop energy-efficient glass coatings. In 2011, the company partnered with the Electron Science Research Institute at Edith Cowan University in Perth to develop the core IP that integrates micro and nano particles interlayer into glass panels, enabling energy harvesting by solar strips while preserving the transparency of the glass.

ClearVuePV solar glass diverts ultraviolet and infrared light from the sun to the edges of the glass, where thin strips of solar cells turn it into electricity. The visible light goes through the glass, making a clear window that is identical to a regular one.

“While there are other solar glass manufacturers on the market, ClearVue offers the only completely transparent large-format solar glass to use in building construction,” CEO Martin Deil explains.

“Our solar glass not only offers more aesthetically pleasing options for architectural design, but achieves high energy efficiency solutions as well.

Related article: Aussie solar glass gets fire safety and high-rise tick

“Solar glass can be used in windows, skylights, greenhouses, and façades. It provides energy to power autonomous features or to feed into a grid or battery storage.”

With an extensive business background in the façade and architectural design space, Deil joined the now global business back in May 2023, and since then ClearVue has secured a number of distribution deals and partnerships both overseas and in Australia.

“The journey has been great. Working with such a committed and highly motivated team as well as our partners is very exciting and has already proven to be quite successful,” he says.

“We have made significant progress in recent months toward commercialisation, laying the groundwork for sustained long-term growth.”

Solar building envelope solution

There’s the obvious comparison of how ClearVuePV stacks up against rooftop solar, in which Australia boasts considerable uptake. However, Deil says solar glass has two big advantages over traditional rooftop solar.

“Our products can generate electricity across all surfaces of a building, not just the roof. The electricity generated from rooftop solar is naturally limited to size of the roof—there are only so many solar cells a rooftop can hold. And the taller the building, the less roof-to-building surface ratio there is. Our technology offering can generate electricity from all surfaces of a building, including vertical. This is what we refer to as our total solar building envelope solution,” he says.

“How do we do this? I’ve already mentioned our ability to generate high-output solar energy on clear glass. We also offer solar cladding and spandrel products, offering energy generation without compromising appearance. Together, these three products—solar glass, solar cladding and spandrel solution—create our solar building envelope.

The second advantage, Deil explains, is aesthetics. ClearVue solar products can be made to look like glass, stone, marble, metal as well as regular glass.

“For architects and building owners, this is a tremendous aesthetic advantage. There is increasing pressure on the construction and building sector to increase energy efficiencies to meet current and incoming sustainability targets. To achieve stringent net zero targets, buildings will need to generate renewable energy from all available surfaces—rooftops alone are simply not sufficient,” he says.

“This is the ClearVue solution: our products provide the construction and building sector with a tangible path to net zero.”

Major milestones

Since its global expansion, ClearVue has hit some significant milestones. Most recently, its clear solar glass has passed fire safety testing, allowing the technology to be used in high-rise buildings as well as high-risk environments such as hospitals, schools, and hotels.

“This test result is a game changer for the construction industry, particularly given the intense scrutiny of building materials globally since the fatal 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London,” Deil explains.

“Our solar glazing unit has met stringent classifications for non-combustibility, little or no smoke propagation, and no flaming droplets (which contribute to the fire load and fire growth under the condition of a fully developed fire).

“It is extremely rare, if not unheard of, for building integrated photovoltaic façade solutions to achieve fire safety ratings of these exhaustive and exacting standards. It also means no specific fire engineering is needed in the building construction. As a result, the construction of the building needs no modification to deploy solar glazing and gain the benefits of onsite renewable energy generation. With this certification, our solar glass can be used in a broad range of buildings due to its excellent fire safety performance.”

ClearVue also recently landed its first commercial contracts in the US and Australia.

“Our contract for solar greenhouses in the US opens an opportunity in global solar greenhouse glass currently worth US$7.5 billion per year and growing,” Deil says.

“Back home, we signed a commercial contract for ClearVuePV solar windows to be incorporated into the CFMEU Training and Wellness Centre façade in Melbourne. This is the first building to have our products incorporated into the project design, showing the value that architects are placing on smart building materials that improve energy efficiency.

“These contracts were secured following validation of our technology by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority, confirming our clear solar glass exceeds the performance ‘Greenmark Platinum’ rated double-glazed low-e product and generates electricity, and earlier testing proving the mass manufacturing capability of ClearVue windows.”

The company has also expanded its global footprint through manufacturing and distribution agreements with leading companies in the US, Singapore, South Africa and Australia. These partnerships have already yielded results, notably with 8G Solutions in the US.

Led by ClearVue’s US-based non-executive director Chuck Mowrey, 8G in January brought ClearVue together with vacuum-insulated glazing supplier LuxWall to develop a combined prototype called Zero Window, which is expected to be the most energy-efficient and energy-generating window on the market.

“Our partnership with LuxWall takes us to the next level,” Deil says.

“LuxWall specialises in vacuum insulated windows, which provide the best thermal performance and minimise energy use. Our technology will enhance the thermal performance of LuxWall’s windows even further, and generate electricity at the same time.

“By combining our respective technologies, we hope to transform the way buildings are designed and constructed. We’ve called it the ‘Zero Window’ as it will help buildings reach net zero by reducing operational carbon through both thermal insulation and power generation. We expect the Zero Window to be in high demand given regulatory tailwinds in the US and indeed around the world that will see the construction and building industry embrace renewable energy solutions.”

Local manufacturing for global markets

Deil says ClearVue’s products can be incorporated into insulated glass units locally anywhere in the world.

“We work with local IGU manufacturers, providing them a licence for our technology, and supply the essential components and know-how. The solar glazing units are made locally, lowering the shipping costs and carbon emissions.

“To reduce shipping time, we will obtain essential components from suppliers around the world. We plan to start developing our main proprietary component—PVB interlayer with special micro and nano particles—in a lab in Western Australia.”

Related article: Solar glass and glazing firms collaborate on ‘Zero Window’

Having laid the groundwork to scale commercialisation, Deil says he anticipates strong momentum in projects throughout 2024 as building owners and architects see the real-world performance of ClearVue’s technology.

Completed projects include the Warwick Grove atrium, which was the first commercial installation of ClearVue’s solar glass, back in 2019. The atrium features a 26-square-meter solar skylight that generates electricity from the sun while providing natural light. To date, this installation has generated 1.7MWh of power.

ClearVue solar glass has also been used in greenhouses at Murdoch University in Western Australia and one at a commercial farm in Japan, both constructed in 2021.

“Our focus over the coming year will be to continue to build the necessary infrastructure to allow the business to scale in a controlled manner, manage our sales pipeline to match our existing capabilities and reinvest in our R&D strengths to ensure we maintain our competitive advantage in our industry,” Deil says.

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The federal government has announced a $1 billion Solar Sunshot support package to develop solar panel manufacturing in Australia. If established, the advanced manufacturing facility is expected to be the first of its kind in Australia.

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This agreement is the latest partnership AGL has signed as the company transforms the Liddell Power Station and Bayswater Power Station sites into a low carbon integrated energy hub, following the closure of Liddell Power Station in April 2023, and taking its final investment decision (FID) on the 500MW two-hour grid-scale Liddell battery in December 2023.

The feasibility study with SunDrive will outline key infrastructure and engineering requirements and identify the regulatory approvals and licences necessary for the development, construction, and operation of a solar PV manufacturing facility located in the Hunter Energy Hub Advanced Manufacturing Precinct.

As part of the MoU, AGL and SunDrive will also explore an offtake agreement for AGL to purchase SunDrive’s unique solar panels for AGL’s customers. AGL is the leading deployer of solar PV to commercial and industrial users in Australia and has approximately 600,000 residential and business customers with solar deployed.

AGL managing director and CEO Damien Nicks said the MoU has the potential to help create a new solar manufacturing industry in Australia.

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“Our vision for the Hunter Energy Hub is to create a low carbon integrated energy hub— designed with circular economy principles—that brings together industries that can make a positive contribution to the energy transition, including renewable energy generation, grid-scale batteries, green advanced manufacturing, and associated industries,” Nicks said.

SunDrive developed the world’s most efficient commercial-size solar cell in 2021. The company plans to manufacture these solar cells at its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility at AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub if the feasibility study is successful.

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Related article: Roadmap paves path for Australian solar PV manufacturing

The centre will fund activities and provide services to:

• help commercialise locally manufactured renewable energy technologies and ideas;
• encourage connections between critical minerals producers and renewable technology manufacturers;
• include a First Nations Advisor to build First Nations business management capabilities in renewable technologies.

The centre delivers on Labor’s election commitment under the Australia Made Battery Plan, to provide advanced technology and skills development to businesses looking to locally manufacture renewable technologies.

It also builds on the Government’s suite of support for the renewable technology industry, including Powering Australia, Rewiring the Nation and a Future Made in Australia.

The centre also aligns with the National Reconstruction Fund’s priority area of renewables, value adding in resources and low-emissions technologies.

Minister for Industry and Science the Hon. Ed Husic said, “Batteries, renewables and other low-emissions technologies offer huge opportunities for Australian industry to create jobs and the sovereign capabilities critical to our economic success.

“This $14 million investment is targeted support to grow Aussie know-how in these emerging areas.

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“It aligns with what we’re doing with our $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, which has renewable and low-emissions technologies as one of its priority investment areas, once again demonstrating how government linking up policies can better support Australian industry.”

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Related article: Vestas offshore wind turbine sets new output record

The new offshore blade factory is planned to be located at a site in northern Szczecin, which Vestas acquired in February 2023. The site is close to the Ostrów Brdowski Island in Szczecin where Vestas’ planned nacelle assembly factory would be located. The assembly factory is expected to start operations in 2025.

“Vestas intends to lead the development of a sustainable supply chain in Europe that can deliver the scale needed to meet the expected growth in demand for offshore wind. Our plans for two new offshore factories in Poland underline that Europe can spur wind industry investments and green jobs with the right long-term policy commitments for offshore wind projects,” Vestas chief operating officer Tommy Rahbek Nielsen said.

The new factories are planned to support European and to some extent global demand, playing a crucial role in supporting Poland and the European offshore wind market and industry.

With the two new factories in Szczecin together with Vestas’ already existing footprint, Vestas is expected to soon employ more than 2,500 people in Poland.

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Vestas expects the new blade factory to begin operations in 2026.

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The construction of a purpose-built facility will help solve global supply constraints of HVDC subsea cable. Currently, all advanced HVDC subsea cable facilities are located in the Northern Hemisphere. The proposed facility will support a globally significant renewable energy supply chain ecosystem in Australia and drive domestic demand for critical minerals and processing industries.

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The potential site, at Bell Bay, has been identified due to its unique advantages including its size and proximity to one of the country’s few natural deep-water ports, rail infrastructure and renewable energy infrastructure.

The proposed facility will include:

• large integrated workshop buildings for the cable manufacture, storage, testing and supporting offices
• customised port facilities for the transport of finished product loaded on specialised cable laying vessels
• a tower for the critical vertical manufacturing processes required to ensure the production of the highest quality advanced subsea cables.

The future-facing facility would include a state-of-the-art advanced cable manufacturing process and require many current trades and skills as well as new capabilities unique to the advanced high voltage cable making industry. The facility will typically use around 25-40MW of renewable energy to enable the cable making.

SunCable chief projects officer Chris Tyrrell said the use of high voltage subsea cables over long distances has a critical role to play in the global energy transition and solving for the transmission of green electrons within and between countries.

“Australia has an abundance of sunshine and wind. HVDC cable enables the export of this natural resource to the world, establishing Australia as a renewable energy superpower as well as an advanced manufacturing hub for critical supply chains,” Tyrrell said.

“SunCable will soon commence consultation with local communities and stakeholders. We welcome further input and feedback before proceeding with a final decision and subsequent development applications.”

Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, welcomed the news, saying, “The proposed facility has the potential to significantly boost the region’s economic prospects. A project of this size could create over 800 construction jobs, and over 400 long-term advanced manufacturing roles across a diverse range of trades, skills and capabilities.”

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SunCable will work in partnership with the Tasmanian Government to identify and develop the required workforce, as well as training and development programs that will enable the renewable energy transition.

If SunCable proceeds with the Bell Bay site, construction is scheduled to commence in 2025 and first manufactured cable in 2029.

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