Western Australia’s GreenTech Hub has named five winners in its first innovation challenge focused on long-duration energy storage, highlighting technologies that could help tackle energy supply issues across remote and industrial parts of the state.
Allegro Energy, BroadBit Batteries, e-Zinc, Isothermix and Knode were selected as “Challenge Champions” following an assessment of their technical strength, relevance to Western Australia’s energy needs and potential for local deployment. Judges also recognised CO2 Onboard, a Western Australian early-stage project, as a promising emerging technology.
The initiative forms part of the GreenTech Hub program hosted by Curtin University. The hub operates under a four-year, $40 million Lower Carbon Grants Program and funding agreement between the Western Australian Government and the Chevron-operated Gorgon Joint Venture. Its aim is to help speed up the development and adoption of lower-carbon technologies across the state.
The first challenge focused on long-duration energy storage, an area viewed as important for improving reliability in power systems that serve mining operations, remote communities and other energy-intensive industries. Western Australia’s resource sector is increasingly looking for alternatives to diesel generation, which remains widely used in off-grid operations.
Interest in the challenge was strong, with 31 submissions from across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America. An independent judging panel with representatives from organisations including CSIRO, Fortescue, Woodside and Worley reviewed the entries.
Following technical and commercial assessment, 12 finalists were invited to present their ideas during West Tech Fest in Perth last December. The final five champions will now receive tailored support through the GreenTech Hub, including connections with industry partners and other stakeholders in Western Australia.
Each selected technology approaches the energy storage problem differently. Allegro Energy, an Australian company, is developing a microemulsion flow battery designed to provide long-duration storage using a patented electrolyte system. Finland-based BroadBit Batteries is working on a sodium-based battery aimed at improving material efficiency and lowering costs compared with existing battery chemistries.
Canadian company e-Zinc is pursuing a zinc-air storage system that stores energy in the form of zinc metal and releases it through an electrochemical process. Isothermix, another Australian developer, is promoting its ChillBank system, which stores renewable energy as heat using phase-change materials. Western Australian firm Knode focuses on thermal storage blocks that can be charged using electrical resistance heating or by capturing waste heat from industrial processes.
CO2 Onboard, the early-stage project recognised during the judging process, is developing a system that produces power from methanol while capturing high-purity carbon dioxide that can be reused in e-fuel production. The concept aims to close the carbon loop while providing energy generation.
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the challenge reflects the state government’s interest in encouraging new approaches to long-term energy storage.
He said the technologies selected through the program show potential to support reliable and lower-emissions energy systems, particularly in regional and remote operations where grid access can be limited. Dawson added that long-duration storage could help industries reduce reliance on fossil fuels while maintaining competitiveness as global markets shift toward cleaner technologies.
Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the initiative helps researchers and businesses bring forward ideas that could contribute to the energy transition. She noted that the GreenTech Hub provides a platform for testing and advancing low-carbon technologies.
Sanderson said the response to the challenge highlights the breadth of expertise available both locally and internationally, as well as the value of collaboration between government, industry and research institutions in developing new energy solutions.
The GreenTech Hub plans to run six more challenges over the coming years, each focused on technologies that could support Western Australia’s transition to lower-emissions energy systems while addressing the practical needs of its industries and remote communities.
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