Redflow and Stanwell to collaborate on innovative X10 long-duration battery project in Queensland

Queensland’s largest energy generator Stanwell Corporation has agreed to assist clean energy storage company Redflow (ASX: RFX) with the development of its X10 long-duration battery for use in a large-scale facility to underpin its local manufacturing capabilities.

The deal marks a significant step towards Redflow delivering alternative energy solutions to the Australian market and is expected to serve as a potential anchor order for the facility.

Pre-feasibility study

The first stage of the agreement will see the companies complete a pre-feasibility study for the application of the battery in an initial 5 megawatts per hour project at Stanwell’s planned Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub near Rockhampton.

Definitive agreements will also be negotiated for the supply, installation and operation of the project.

The study is scheduled to be completed before year-end and will be followed by a final decision to proceed with the project.

Next-gen battery

Redflow’s X10 battery has been billed as a “bigger and better” next-generation zinc bromide flow solution designed to compete with all large-scale battery technologies on the market, including lithium.

The company was awarded a grant of up to $1.12 million in February for the development and construction of a large-scale prototype and a feasibility study for the establishment of a large-scale manufacturing facility in Queensland.

The grant was allocated as part of Queensland’s $100m critical minerals and battery technology fund.

It will contribute to the project’s total expected capital cost of $3.2m.

Non-lithium options

Redflow chief executive officer Tim Harris said the company was proud to be partnering with Stanwell on the development of the X10 battery.

“This agreement reinforces the critical role that long-duration energy storage will play in Australia’s efforts to become a renewable energy superpower,” he said.

“We are proud to be working with Stanwell as it delivers on the Queensland government’s commitment to assist with the accelerated development and adoption of non-lithium alternatives.”

Alternative technologies

Stanwell – owned by the Queensland government – is a major provider of electricity and energy solutions to the national electricity market and large energy users throughout Australia.

Stanwell chief executive officer Michael O’Rourke said the Redflow agreement forms part of a strategy to develop alternative technologies, including up to 10 gigawatts of generation and 5GW of storage by 2035 in support of the state’s renewable energy targets.

“We have ambitious targets for energy storage within our portfolio and we see longer-duration products such as Redflow’s X10 battery as being crucial to meeting customer demand for firmed renewable solutions,” he said.

“We already have a number of battery storage projects in the pipeline and this new partnership will ensure future technologies are the best fit to serve our communities and customers through the state’s renewables transformation.”