Hunter-based clean-tech startup Allegro Energy has been granted a US patent for its micro-emulsion electrolyte technology. This innovation is set to be installed at Eraring Power Station as part of the site’s energy transition.
Allegro’s battery technology is water-based, offering a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to other battery technologies. Furthermore, the batteries are designed without scarce materials, and all key components are fully recyclable. The company announced the US patent this week, adding to previous patents granted in Europe and other key markets.
“The US patent reinforces Allegro’s ability to deliver a truly global and transformative solution for long-duration energy storage,” stated Dr. Thomas Nann, Allegro Energy’s chief executive and co-founder. “With energy storage playing a crucial role in the renewable transition, our micro-emulsion platform ensures scalability and adaptability across a range of battery chemistries, from redox flow to advanced ion batteries.”
This announcement comes six months after the company successfully closed a $17.5 million Series A fundraising round last September. The round was supported by a consortium of local investors, including Origin Energy, Melt Ventures, and Impact Ventures, as well as global investors, led by The Grantham Foundation in the US.
Climate Change Authority chairman Matt Kean, who visited Allegro’s Thornton headquarters, highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize energy storage. “We know we have some of the cheapest energy in the world by harnessing our wind and solar. The challenge is around storing it,” he said. “This technology could mean that we get that cheap energy created during the middle of the day and be able to use it at night in our homes and businesses. That will give us the opportunity to have some of the cheapest energy anywhere in the world 24-7. That’s an absolute game changer.”
The microemulsion electrolyte technology is recognized as a significant advancement in long-duration energy storage. It offers key advantages over existing technologies in terms of scalability, sustainability, and overall performance. The system will be deployed at Origin Energy’s Eraring Power Station, marking the first large-scale installation of this homegrown solution.
“We firmly believe that battery storage – including long-duration storage – will play a pivotal role in Australia’s energy transition, which is why we are building a significant battery portfolio,” said James Magill, executive general manager of Origin Zero. “Our partnership with Allegro is part of our broader commitment to lead the energy transition through cleaner energy and customer solutions, and we look forward to piloting this innovative battery technology at Eraring Power Station, before exploring a further rollout to customer sites.”
Allegro Energy is also planning its first gigafactory. The company anticipates that this facility will manufacture enough clean energy storage to accelerate the closure of coal-fired power plants while simultaneously reducing the overall cost of energy.
