Energy Renaissance batteries pass 90% local content goal

A NSW company is proving what we always knew: that Australia has long had the skills and resources to make batteries locally, rather than just shipping raw materials offshore.

Energy Renaissance, a pioneer in the invention and manufacturing of Australian lithium battery technology, has announced that it has appointed three Australian companies to provide key components that will be used to manufacture its superStorage family of batteries.

The company lays claim to having invented ‘hot climate’ batteries to suit local requirements.

Through long-term framework agreements and preferred supplier relationships, this forms part of the company’s move towards achieving 100% on-shoring of its manufacturing of batteries in Australia and contributes to 92% of components in their batteries sourced from Australian companies.

Academy Sheetmetal, a family-owned sheetmetal manufacturer in Newcastle, NSW, will supply the steel cabinetry that is used for the Renaissance superRack and superPak. GPC Electronics, one of Australia’s largest contract electronics manufacturers in Penrith, NSW, will supply the printed circuit boards that are used in the battery management systems (BMS), and B&C Plastics, an Australian plastic moulding injection manufacturer in Brisbane, Qld, will supply the plastic components that are used in the packs.

32 of the 35 components that make up a superStorage battery are produced in Australia, validating Energy Renaissance’s commitment towards strengthening its local supply chain, creating local jobs and opportunities for all Australians.

“Energy Renaissance is dedicated to on-shoring manufacturing in Australia so we can protect our customers against global supply chain constraints and unexpected price increases that come with increased freight costs,” said Mark Chilcote, Managing Director of Energy Renaissance. “We started our business with a target to have 100% of our manufacturing completed in Australia. However, this target can only be achieved with a long-term partnership with local suppliers who will invest in business to grow in line with our production requirements.

“Energy Renaissance is strengthening local manufacturing and, in the future, securing our supply chain for critical battery minerals when we commence the manufacturing of battery cells in Australia.”

Energy Renaissance’s procurement strategy includes:

• Supporting both small and medium businesses through to large corporations.
• Partnering with values-based organisations who are committed to their customers, workforce safety, diversity and a quality assurance process.
• Working closely with Australian companies to reduce the cost of producing components needed for superStorage.
   

In the longer term, this will make it more cost-competitive for components to be manufactured locally as Australia competes with global manufacturers.

“While negotiating for supplier agreements, we found local manufacturers who are price-competitive with similar components, and made with a higher quality standard than what we would have to import,” Chilcote said. “This has challenged our views on sourcing for components globally and highlighted that we do have many local companies who share our passion of on-shoring manufacturing.”

Energy Renaissance continues to negotiate local supply agreements as it ramps up the production of Australian-made batteries.