CATL and Zinfra Launch Integrated “Product + Service” Model
A $2 million Grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has just enabled a hardware and software upgrade for Australia’s transition to becoming a renewable energy superpower. Global battery heavyweight CATL has officially teamed up with Australian infrastructure specialist Zinfra in a deal that is set to support the stability of the national grid and help fast-track the move away from fossil fuels.
In Brisbane, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) unveiling an unprecedented “Product + Service” model. While keeping the lights on when there is no sun and wind is one of the largest barriers in front of green energy, a new partnership between CATL, renowned as world-leading technology in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and Zinfra, bringing local engineering capabilities to deliver projects.
Why a new approach to energy storage in Australia?
Australia has already established itself as a world leader in rooftop solar and large-scale wind farms. But this fast-moving influx of intermittent energy was straining an aging electrical grid meant to accommodate the steady, predictable output of coal-fired power stations.
Australia needs enormous quantities of storage to avoid blackouts and cope with price spikes. The hitch is that this battery bloated in heft is not as straightforward as, appropriately, a plug and plugs. It takes deep site integrations, regular maintenance, and even a deeper understanding of local regulatory standards. This is where the partnership between) CATL and Zinfra present a solution. The pair isn’t simply selling hardware, but providing a “cradle-to-grave” solution that makes sure those gigantic batteries run as efficiently as possible for years to come.
What is the Product + Service model?
Traditional Australian energy suppliers were forced to get batteries overseas, then obtain local contractors for their installation and maintenance, which would sometimes cause a disconnect in technical support as well as long-term maintenance.
The updated version seeks to simplify this process. The advanced technology itself comes from CATL, with its liquid-cooled EnerX and EnerC containerized systems, while Zinfra adds the “boots on the ground.” Zinfra will deliver the full package of services, from project engineering and construction to ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M) over the life of the projects.
The team found that by directly integrating the manufacturer and service provider, the downtime of battery assets can be greatly reduced. Your local experts have the immediate backing of the manufacturer and parts already on site if a cell fails or a cooling system needs adjustments.
What is the functioning of CATL BESS technology?
The main highlights of this partnership are CATL’s flagship storage products, which are the EnerX and the EnerC. We’re not talking just regular batteries you have at home, we’re discussing much larger, container-sized units that can be put in the utility-scale.
The EnerC is an energy storage system with a high internal volume and liquid cooling. Liquid cooling also gives a much tighter and better temperature control range, as well as being available in considerably more compact designs than their older air-cooled counterparts. That is crucial in the harsh Australian climate, as extreme heat can diminish battery longevity and slow individual systems. By conditioning the lithium-ion cells at an ideal temperature, CATL can prolong longevity and improve overall safety in high-stress situations.
With the EnerX however, this is a product designed for high density applications, with a plug and play scale up approach that enables it to support everything from small regional towns to major industrial hubs.
So what does this mean for our net-zero targets in Australia?
For the average Australian, this partnership means a stronger power grid and, in time, cheaper energy prices. With an increasing share of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integrated into the National Electricity Market (NEM), the grid will be able to absorb “excess” energy that is generated on sunny afternoons and then use it to charge during the evening peak.
This collaboration also aims to close the “skills gap” in the Australian workforce. CATL is also making strides in training a future Australian workforce to help support high-capacity lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) technology by partnering with Zinfra to host the world’s 1st centre of excellence for LFP storage tech.
With the Australian decarbonisation race to the 2030 and 2050 targets, the rapid deployment of reliable, well-maintained storage should not be viewed as a luxury but rather a necessity. Together, the Framework for both CATL and Zinfra provides a perfect example of global technology being successfully localised to help build a cleaner, more reliable future.
