The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has committed almost $4 million in funding to Australian technology company AnteoTech to commercialise its new lithium-ion battery anode technology.
The $11.1 million Silicon Anode Technology for Lithium-Ion Batteries project will span three years and aims to commercialise AnteoTech’s proprietary silicon anode technology, reduce battery storage costs and enable longer driving ranges for EVs.
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The majority of lithium-ion batteries produced today use graphite anodes. While silicon anodes have a much higher energy density, challenges with cell degradation have limited commercialisation of the technology.
AnteoTech’s proprietary binder technology, named Anteo X, is able to reduce degradation rates associated with silicon anodes by maintaining the structural stability within the anode during cycling.
ARENA funding will help AnteoTech progress to a larger scale of prototyping, which will enable further testing of the technology by AnteoTech and its prospective customers.
Throughout the duration of the project, AnteoTech will install new electrode coating equipment and pouch cell testing equipment at its existing site in Brisbane. AnteoTech will then commence a programme of rigorous testing, including providing prototype anodes to potential customers.
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AnteoTech CEO David Radford says, “We are incredibly grateful of the support provided by ARENA who has an extensive track record of funding successful technologies. We are excited by the opportunities that are ahead of us and look forward to contributing to Australia’s growing battery landscape by delivering battery solutions that will support our net zero energy transition.”
AnteoTech expects technical work on the program to commence in November, with design and construction of the Brisbane site in early 2025. The whole ARENA project is due for completion in late 2027.
