eLumina: Australia's First Lithium Battery Manufacturer

eLumina has officially opened its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on the Gold Coast, marking Australia's first factory equipped to produce both community lithium batteries and EV chargers.

The US$20m Manufacturing and Development Centre in Yatala aims to be a critical player in the nation's energy transition. With its inaugural production expected by 2025, the facility is set to produce up to 300 units annually, fostering local production and creating around 300 high-tech jobs in the region.

Supporting local employment and technical skills

As eLumina's first large-scale manufacturing hub, the Yatala facility provides much-needed support for the country's clean energy sector. 

Lisa Marsh, Chief Executive Officer at eLumina, highlighted the company's commitment to both innovation and the local workforce, stating: 

"We are extremely proud to officially open our factory here in Yatala on the Gold Coast. We are ambitious to back 300 highly technical and sought-after jobs and we're proud to partner with TAFE Queensland to support the training and pathways into these jobs."

Through its collaboration with TAFE Queensland, eLumina is helping equip the next generation of Australian workers with the technical skills required to thrive in renewable energy. 

The approach is gaining recognition from industry leaders, with Damian Kassabgi, CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, noting:

"Queensland, particularly on the Gold Coast, is emerging as a tech hotspot and manufacturing hub. Our goal is to have 1.2 million tech workers in Australia by 2030 and we're proud to partner with Australian organisations like eLumina, whose jobs support the renewable energy sector."

Advancing Australia's renewable energy goals with innovation

The opening of eLumina's facility signals a major step toward Australia's sustainability and energy independence goals. 

John Grimes, CEO of The Smart Energy Council, commended eLumina's initiative, stating: 

"We're proud to partner with eLumina and support them with their mission of securing a sustainable energy future for Australians and supporting Australia in becoming a global leader in this sector. What the team at eLumina has done is truly innovative, applying cutting-edge practices to be the first in the country to manufacture community lithium batteries and EV chargers."

A highlight of eLumina's innovations is the D1 model, a fast-charging EV solution capable of charging two vehicles simultaneously with a maximum output of 160kW.

The D1 is unique in its integration of a battery, which makes it especially suitable for remote locations where power supplies may be limited or unreliable. It helps to bridge the connectivity gap in Australia's vast rural areas.

Enhancing regional connectivity and encouraging EV adoption

Connectivity remains a significant hurdle for renewable energy initiatives in Australia, particularly in rural and remote areas.

In response, eLumina has partnered with Addelec to roll out battery-integrated EV chargers tailored to regional needs. 

"When we look globally, especially at places like Europe with a high uptake of EVs, they're navigating smaller and more densely populated areas. When we zoom out to the sheer size of Australia, we need to take a different approach."

The D1 model has been designed specifically to address Australia's unique geographic and infrastructure challenges. It will make EV charging accessible to a broader population and encourage the adoption of cleaner transportation options across the nation.

Future expansion plans to strengthen economic resilience

Looking ahead, eLumina is already planning future expansions in Queensland to meet growing demand.

Through establishing the manufacturing hub, eLumina is setting new standards for battery production and EV charging infrastructure. The company is focused on supporting Australia's journey to net-zero emissions as part of its mission. 

With a steadfast commitment to renewable energy and local job creation, eLumina's new facility represents a major step in Australia's clean energy journey.

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