Battery Insiders

In this episode of the Battery Insiders podcast, Gloria joins Simon live from China to discuss Australia's role in the global battery market. They explore the country's strong focus on upstream resource extraction, especially for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Gloria highlights the challenges Australian companies face in securing investment and advancing technology for energy storage. They also dive into the growing trend of vertical integration, where downstream companies collaborate directly with upstream resource suppliers. Looking to the future, Gloria outlines the significant capital needed to meet global energy transition goals by 2050, emphasizing the crucial role of government and international cooperation in the battery value chain.

In this episode, Our guest speaker Glenn Penaranda, a representative from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, discusses the Philippines' vision for its battery industry. The country aims to promote renewable energy and green mobility by leveraging its rich reserves of green metals, such as nickel and copper, which are essential for battery manufacturing. The government has removed tariffs on electric vehicles and charging stations to boost adoption and attract investments, especially from China. Additionally, they are encouraging partnerships with international companies to expand mining and processing of battery materials locally. The Philippines has also introduced policies to simplify investment procedures and opened up the renewable energy sector to foreign investors, creating opportunities across the entire value chain.

In this episode, Our guest speaker Eric from the Lithium Association of Zimbabwe discusses Zimbabwe's strategy to maximize the benefits of its substantial lithium reserves. Zimbabwe aims to ensure that its lithium resources directly benefit the local economy by mandating that all stages of lithium production, from mining to battery-grade processing, occur within the country. The government has implemented policies to support this, including an export ban on unprocessed lithium and various incentives for investors to establish local processing plants. Despite challenges with the market being dominated by traders and speculators, Zimbabwe offers significant opportunities for direct investment and collaboration in the lithium industry. Eric encourages investors to visit Zimbabwe to explore these opportunities and engage with local stakeholders.

In this episode, Our guest speaker Michael Liebreich, CEO of Liebreich Associates and co-founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), delves into his extensive background in the clean energy sector. He reflects on the challenges and growth of clean energy finance since he started BNEF in 2004, highlighting the shift from niche markets to mainstream adoption. Liebreich discusses the significant role of technological advancements such as big data and machine learning in transforming the industry and emphasizes the need for both traditional and green financing. Liebreich provides career advice for individuals interested in the clean tech revolution, stressing the importance of aligning skills with industry needs and the potential for growth and fulfilment in this sector. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the evolution of the clean energy market, the future of hydrogen, and strategic guidance for aspiring cleantech professionals.

In this episode, Our guest speaker Dr Sam Cooper, Senior lecturer at Imperial College London and chief scientist at Polaron. Cooper shares insights into the challenges of conducting big data battery research due to limited industry data access and the recent improvements in data sharing. He explores the impact of AI on battery development, emphasising its role in optimising processes without changing battery chemistry. Cooper discusses ethical issues in battery material sourcing and the complexities of battery manufacturing. He also introduces Polaron, a startup focused on applying machine learning across various industries, and highlights the benefits of industry collaboration and the potential for impactful research through startup ventures. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on the future of battery technology and strategic advice for researchers and industry professionals.

Our podcast speaker, Ryan Melsert, CEO, CTO, and Director of American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), shares his insights on battery recycling technology and explains ABTC’s proprietary claystone lithium extraction process. He also discusses how ABTC’s business model can help OEMs and battery manufacturers create a sustainable battery life cycle.

Our podcast speaker, Kevin Fok, Director of Compliance at LG Energy Solution Vertech, discusses energy storage systems (ESS). Kevin provides an overview of ESS codes and standards, highlighting the importance of standards like UL 1973, UL 9540, and NFPA 855 in ensuring safety and compliance in ESS design and installation. He discusses how ESS codes and standards vary across different jurisdictions, with local amendments often creating challenges for standardisation, though common frameworks like the International Fire Code help maintain some consistency. The conversation also covers how emerging technologies, such as new battery chemistries, are integrated into existing codes and standards, with task groups and committees playing a crucial role in adapting standards to accommodate new advancements. Emphasis is placed on the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including manufacturers, system integrators, local authorities, and insurance companies, to ensure the successful implementation and operation of ESS projects.