A Melbourne-developed battery capable of powering homes and off-grid adventures is moving towards local production, supported by AU$6.77 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The AU$19.35 million project allows local firm Clutch Industries to construct and operate a scalable assembly line in Coburg North, Victoria, for its modular PowerNet battery platform.
The facility will feature semi-automated assembly, testing, quality assurance and full product traceability to take the technology from development into commercial-scale manufacturing.
Centred on a modular 4 kWh unit built with solid-state cells, the portable PowerNet platform offers a safer, lighter and more compact energy storage design than standard units.
Individual batteries can power caravans, four-wheel drives, boats and off-grid setups, or be stacked together to form a complete household energy storage system.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller noted the flexibility of the technology and its potential to strengthen domestic industry.
“A battery that can support a household and then be taken on the road shows how flexible and innovative energy storage technology is becoming,” Miller said.
“ARENA’s support will help Clutch Industries move from product development into scalable local manufacturing, while testing the PowerNet battery in different real-world settings to get crucial performance data.”
Clutch Industries CEO Brad Davis said the company is leveraging its long-standing local manufacturing history to advance next-generation energy storage solutions through its Density battery brand.
“Our vision for Density goes well beyond a single product,” Davis said.
“We’re unlocking product innovation, using breakthroughs in battery technology to create solutions that were previously impractical or simply not possible.
“With Density products already available through major Australian retailers, we’re excited to continue expanding the brand, growing our manufacturing capabilities and bringing Australian-developed battery technology to more consumers.”
Funded under the federal government’s Battery Breakthrough Initiative, the project will validate performance data while building advanced manufacturing skills in Australia.
