The Australian Battery Society, a networking, information and training hub for the battery industry, has launched the Energy Renaissance Innovator Award to increase interest and further research and development in the field of electrochemical energy storage in Australia.

The award is administered by the Australian Battery Society and sponsored by Energy Renaissance, pioneers in the advancement and manufacturing of Australian lithium battery technology. Ten individual awards valued at $2,500 each will be given to successful applicants to pursue investigative projects, attend conferences or to undertake research with a company or research organisation.

The Energy Renaissance Innovator Award seeks to broaden knowledge and explore critical thinking around a range of areas to advance Australia’s position as a global leader in the battery industry.

This award will cover a range of interests from battery chemistry, prototyping of batteries, the design of battery packs, developing safety and control systems, how batteries are used and recycled to policy and STEM issues to support the development of an Australian battery industry.

“We are delighted to have Energy Renaissance as our inaugural award sponsor,” Australian Battery Society director Adam Best says.

“The Innovator Award will spark new opportunities for students and professionals working in the energy storage industry who would like to test, investigate, explore, share knowledge and ideas and concepts that will advance Australia’s battery industry.”

More than 500 students in Australia who are currently pursuing education and research in the electrochemical energy storage fields and thousands of professionals in the energy storage industry are eligible to apply for the award.

“We’re committed to developing and building new capabilities in Australia’s energy storage industry,” Energy Renaissance founder and development director Brian Craighead says.

“As a sponsor of the Innovator Award, we have created an opportunity for aspiring and committed innovators who share our vision and commitment towards building a world-class battery storage industry in Australia.”

The Energy Renaissance Innovator Award is open to applicants who are in full-time employment, involved in policy or education activities in the energy storage industry as well as students who are enrolled in TAFE or tertiary institutions and undertaking a Master’s or PhD program.