Logan is emerging as a renewable energy hub, with yet another cutting-edge energy company calling the city home.
ASX-listed Critical Mining Group (CMG) announced last week it would build the first facility in south-east Queensland that produces vanadium electrolyte, a liquid used in rechargeable batteries to store energy.
The $6 million facility will be located Crestmead, which Logan City Council has tipped to become Queensland’s “new hub of next generation energy”.
The announcement comes just two months after construction began on Queensland’s first solar panel recycling plant, located in the same business precinct in Crestmead.
Mayor Jon Raven said CMG joined a growing number of advanced technology businesses choosing to base themselves in Logan.
“CMG is a great fit for Logan, the youngest and fastest-growing city in Queensland, because we’re at the forefront of energy solutions,” Mayor Raven said.
“Manufacturing vanadium batteries is part of my vision to transition Logan’s economy to high value local jobs in innovative and renewable energy industries and I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact this partnership will have.”
CMG’s managing director Scott Winter said Logan had long been identified as an “economically thriving city that takes a proactive stance in supporting the clean energy transition”.
“The city provides opportunities in supply chain optimisation and provides superior connectivity to major centres and transport hubs,” he said.
“Having reviewed other potential locations in south-east Queensland, the geographic benefits, as well as the council’s clear commitment to businesses supporting the renewable energy transition, we were of the view that Logan was the best choice for CMG.”
The vanadium electrolyte, expected to start production in 2026, will be used to create vanadium redox flow batteries, an alternative to Lithium-Ion batteries.
Australia has 24% of total global vanadium, and Queensland holds nearly half of the country’s total resources.
Logan is quickly becoming a destination for next-generation technology, including the arrival of textile-recycler BlockTexx, rocket-manufacturer Black Sky Industries, and a future aerospace innovation lab.
In October, Pan Pacific Recycling started building a solar panel recycling plant, while the local council signed a three-year deal with Origin Energy to boost the city’s renewable energy capacity.
The recycling plant will dismantle discarded panels and break them down so the materials can be reused.
It is expected to take apart 240,000 panels a year.
Council’s deal with Origin will see the installation of large, on-site solar and battery storage at energy intensive sites in the city in an attempt to reduce its emissions and operating costs.
The on-site solar will be used to power day-time operations, while any excess solar generated will be used to charge the batteries for times when the sun is not shining.
