Christaan Jordaan of Sicona and Novalith talks to us about Australia’s great opportunity in batteries.

Yes, the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t always blow. But there’s lots of technologies for those in between times - some are old, some are new but all of them are getting much much better. Pumped hydro, hydrogen, thermal storage and of course, BATTERIES.

Batteries are getting cheaper, more efficient and more omnipresent. But where will all the materials come from and what role can Australia play?

Nick and Alex chatted to Christiaan who is involved in not one but TWO impressive Australian startups targeting this huge economic opportunity. The first Sicona, is innovating within the battery, helping to improve the efficiency via unique anode materials. The other is Novalith, which is commercialising a technology to make the extraction of lithium - a key battery material - more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

We cover a lot in this episode including:

• The role of batteries in addressing climate change
• Christiaan’s unique perspective on the industry (having worked at one stage in a graphite mine in Mozambique)
• The key materials in the battery supply chain and where they come from
• The exciting opportunity for both Sicona and Novalith
• Some of the inspiring international companies innovating in battery technology

***

Some more reading if you’re interested in the topic

• A TED-talk primer on how batteries work

***

If you enjoy the show, subscribe! You can also follow us: on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or say hi at [email protected]

Music by the late, great Nick Weaver

Production by our hero Mark Spencer from Here.Media

Socials by the legend Rebecca Sather Jenkins

***

A Positive Climate is an uplifting podcast about tackling climate change. An inspiring look at the products, people and technologies making a real difference. Hosted by Australian climate technology experts Alex McIntosh and Nick Zeltzer, two friends on a mission to find the solutions to keep our existential crises at bay.

We cover it all on the show while keeping things optimistic and accessible: electric planes, waste eating maggots, plant-based meats, hydrogen made from beer, the solar revolution, the coolest new sustainable products and much much more.

If you’re passionate about the environment, the latest clean technology or just want to know how to get involved in the movement, this podcast is for you!  

Say hi on Instagram, Twitter or our website.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.