1. What is the innovation?
Currently, all batteries produced in one year can only store 11 minutes of our annual energy demand. Gelion’s battery platform is truly scaleable as it combines ease of manufacturing (low cost), with flexibility, safety and performance.
Gelion has developed a disruptive battery technology platform based on low cost, non-flow zinc bromine chemistry. Gelion’s breakthrough arises from the versatility of its patented gel technology, capable of adapting to multiple battery chemistries for a wide range of energy storage applications while providing a high level of safety that is not achievable from current Lithium-ion and Lead acid technologies.
2. What benefits does the innovation bring?
Gelion’s unique technology offers a platform capable of adapting to a wide range of energy storage requirements.
POWER
- Ability to deep cycle – can be 100% discharged with no negative effects.
- Long battery lifetime
- Engineered using breakthrough nano-structured gel (Ionogels) and fully sealed cells.
SCALABILITY
- Low cost and wide availability of materials.
- Utilises proven manufacturing processes.
SAFETY
- Non-flammable. Safe operation in high temperatures.
- Low toxicity and easy to recycle.
- Can be transported by air and installed indoors.
3. What commercial success and/or benefit to society has it achieved?
Gelion is already creating pre-commercial prototypes of its batteries. Automated production will begin in 2019 and Gelion batteries will be ready for mass production by 2020. Gelion’s innovative battery platform was developed in Australia by Gelion, with acclaimed Australian researcher Professor Thomas Maschmeyer of the University of Sydney, who this year won the Eureka Prize for Leadership in Innovation and Science. Gelion’s platform, once commercial, will offer truly scaleable batteries to help power the future.
4. What lessons learnt can you share?
“Using our planet’s resources more carefully to create a more sustainable future – with technology translated from the laboratory towards global impact – is an exhilarating and rewarding journey. I am very grateful to all my students and colleagues with whom I shared the ride – Australia and the world will be a better place because of them.”
– Professor Maschmeyer
5. How many new jobs has this innovation created?
30