Sumitomo Electric to Supply Redox Flow Batteries to Australian Mine
November 17, 2025
On November 11, Sumitomo Electric Industries announced an agreement to supply redox flow batteries to the Boggabri coal mine, where Idemitsu Australia, a subsidiary of Idemitsu Kosan, holds a 90% stake. Deliveries are scheduled for the end of October 2026.
In Australia, laws aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from mining operations are being developed. The mine is installing a 5 MW self-consumption solar power facility. During peak hours, this facility will supply the electricity needed to operate the mine’s infrastructure and crushers, and is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 5,000 tons in the first year of operation.
Sumitomo Electric will introduce redox flow batteries to further increase the share of renewable energy. These batteries are free of flammable materials and are thermally stable, making them safer than other energy storage systems. This feature has been highly appreciated.
The storage capacity is 12.6 MWh. With a 2 MW output, it can supply power for 6.3 hours. Electrolytes will be procured from Vecco Group, an Australian company in which Idemitsu Australia holds a 51% stake. Vecco promotes vanadium mine development and vanadium electrolyte production.
Sumitomo Electric plans to apply knowledge gained from this project to other mines under its "Mine GX" initiative and continue to develop the supply chain in Australia.
