Western Australia’s GreenTech Hub has announced five global innovators as ‘Challenge Champions’ in its first Innovation Challenge — The Long Game Energy Storage Challenge — recognising breakthrough technologies designed to support the state’s transition to cleaner, more reliable and low-emissions energy.
Hosted by Curtin University, the GreenTech Hub was established under a four-year, $40 million Lower Carbon Grants Program and GreenTech Hub funding agreement between the Western Australian government and the Chevron-operated Gorgon Joint Venture.
The initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of green technologies across Western Australia, with long-duration energy storage (LDES) identified as critical to supporting grid reliability, regional power systems and remote industrial operations.
The Challenge attracted strong global interest, receiving 31 submissions from across Australia, Asia, Europe and North America.
Following a rigorous evaluation by an independent judging panel, including representatives from CSIRO, Fortescue, Woodside and Worley, 12 finalists were invited to pitch their innovations at December’s West Tech Fest in Perth.
Five companies were ultimately named Challenge Champions: Allegro Energy (Australia), BroadBit Batteries (Finland), e-Zinc (Canada), Isothermix (Australia) and Knode (Western Australia).
Judges also recognised emerging WA technology developer CO₂ Onboard for its potential to capture carbon while generating clean energy.
Allegro Energy CEO Thomas Nann said: “WA’s electricity grid is quite unique in the sense that many communities and industries operate at the fringes or off-grid, making long-duration energy storage not nice to have, but essential to keep the lights on.
“Our battery energy storage system has been designed with local manufacturing in mind. It doesn’t require any rare or scarce materials or minerals and can be manufactured locally by leveraging existing capability.
“This means that we can build locally with very large and growing WA content from the get go. Furthermore, our high-performing batteries are not flammable, can be integrated in a circular economy and are very affordable compared with competing technologies.”
BroadBit Batteries CEO and Co-Founder David Brown said: “Our success in this Challenge is proof our sodium-salt tech can really push the boundaries for cleaner energy worldwide.
“What gets us excited about WA is its massive push towards renewables combined with being a mining powerhouse: the environment is perfect for testing and scaling big energy solutions.
“Our sodium-salt batteries are ideal for WA because they’re cheap, safe, scalable and can store energy for days or even seasons without needing expensive cooling or other complex support – perfectly suited for remote mines or stabilising the grid as solar and wind ramp up.
“WA has the sun, wind and resources to lead in green tech – and we’re determined to bring our batteries there to make it happen. This is just the start of building real-world solutions together.”
e-Zinc CEO James Larsen said: “WA is tackling some of the hardest energy challenges anywhere in the world given its remote grids, high renewables penetration and strong industrial base which depends on reliable power.
“It’s an environment where long-duration storage is essential and we are excited to help WA achieve its energy goals.
“Our technology is designed for energy resilience, renewable firming, and diesel displacement — exactly the challenges WA is working to solve.
“By deploying in WA, we can reduce emissions, strengthen grid resilience and help establish the region as a leader in long-duration energy storage.”
Isothermix CEO and Joint Managing Director Nicholas Handley added: “WA is one of the most dynamic energy markets in the country.
“We already have thermal storage deployments in WA and are seeing strong demand from the mining and industrial sector.”
Handley said that in large-scale facilities, heating and cooling account for a significant portion of total energy consumption.
He explained that their thermal battery system stores energy directly as heat or cold instead of converting it to electricity first, making it an efficient and practical solution for managing thermal demand.
Handley added that its low capital and maintenance requirements make it ideal for remote and high-temperature parts of Western Australia, where his team aims to collaborate with GreenTech Hub, government, and industry partners to scale up thermal storage deployment alongside other long-duration energy technologies.
