Sunshot Energy will receive “up to $1 million” from the Western Australian government under the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund to conduct a feasibility study for a new green energy center.
The initial part of research into a planned Collie Battery and Hydrogen Industrial Hub Project will be undertaken by Sunshot, a consultancy led by economist Ross Garnaut.
According to a statement from the WA government on Friday, this would look into the case for a renewable-powered hydrogen electrolyzer and a “600 to 800-megawatt hour battery… around four times the size of Tesla’s big battery” in Hornsdale, South Australia (pictured) to help deliver renewable energy to industrial users in the region.
“As we move away from the coal sector, it makes sense for Collie, which is at the heart of the South-West energy system, to become a renewable energy industrial powerhouse,” said regional development minister Alannah MacTiernan.
“This initiative will provide the groundwork for the development of a renewable energy center in Collie.”
The possibility of producing green ammonia and urea, as well as green aluminum, was also mentioned in the press release.
Under the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund, grants of up to $2 million in matched financing for diversification initiatives are available, while the Collie Futures Small Awards Program offers grants of up to $100,000.
A successful economic case for the project, according to the WA government, may result in $730 million in investment, 500 construction and 400 ongoing jobs, lower-cost electricity for companies in the region, and support for “growth of manufacturing and minerals processing.”
Sunshot was founded in 2020 to carry out the idea outlined in Garnaut’s book Superpower, which explores Australia’s ability to exploit renewable energy resources to benefit its industry.
