Australia is investing $6.77 million in a portable battery that could power a home, travel in a car and provide electricity at a campsite, as the government looks to bring more advanced battery manufacturing onto Australian soil.
Melbourne-based Clutch Industries will receive funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to establish a new battery manufacturing line in Coburg North, Victoria. The $19.35 million project is expected to create at least 16 ongoing skilled jobs.
The investment will support the development and manufacturing of PowerNet, a modular battery system designed to move between different applications. Unlike conventional home batteries that remain installed in one location, individual PowerNet units can be detached and used as portable power sources.
The project also allows Australia to develop manufacturing skills, production technology and supply chains in an industry increasingly important to the global energy transition.
You may also want to read: What Are The Best Home Energy Saver Loan Upgrades To Make?
NSW Home Energy Saver Loan for Solar and Battery Systems
Australian Portable Battery Manufacturing Targets a New Market
At the centre of the project is Clutch Industries’ PowerNet, a 20kg portable battery pack with a 4kWh capacity.
The unit can operate independently or connect with multiple batteries to create a home battery system. When additional electricity is needed elsewhere, individual units can be detached and used as portable power sources.
This modular design could give the technology several applications, including residential energy storage, camping, workplaces and off-grid electricity supply.
According to ARENA’s project description, PowerNet is being developed as a mobile energy asset that can move between residential, commercial, mobile and off-grid applications.
The project will also investigate the safety and performance of the batteries across different uses. This testing will help refine the technology and establish the requirements needed before it can reach a wider market.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the investment would allow Australian manufacturers to benefit from growing battery demand.
“More Australians are choosing batteries to make the most of their solar and cut their power bills. We want Australian manufacturers and workers to share in that opportunity.
“This project is about making batteries here that people can use in their everyday lives, whether that’s storing energy at home or taking power with them on a camping trip, or their workplace.”
$19.35 Million Project to Build Australian Manufacturing Capacity
Clutch Industries will use the funding to design, construct and commission a scalable manufacturing line at its Coburg North facility.
The new production line will incorporate automated assembly, testing, quality assurance and traceable supply chains. These systems will help establish the manufacturing processes needed to produce the batteries consistently.
The government expects the $19.35 million project to create at least 16 ongoing skilled jobs, supporting Australia’s efforts to develop more advanced manufacturing capabilities locally.
Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres said Australia needed to do more than export the raw materials used in emerging energy technologies.
“We don’t want Australia to simply export the raw materials needed for the industries of the future. We want to build more things here, create more skilled jobs here and capture more of the economic opportunities created by the global energy transition.
“Australia has a growing demand for home batteries and off-grid power solutions. This project can demonstrate how the next generation of modular battery technology can meet this requirement.
“This investment will help grow Australian manufacturing capability, support skilled jobs in Victoria and strengthen our ability to produce advanced battery technologies here in Australia.”
Coburg North Set to Gain 16 Ongoing Skilled Jobs
Beyond the battery technology, the project represents an investment in Victoria’s manufacturing sector.
The facility will bring together automated production, product testing and quality-control processes. It will also help develop technical knowledge required to manufacture emerging battery technologies in Australia.
Member for Wills Peter Khalil said establishing the production line in Coburg North would support local workers and industry.
“Batteries are critical to Australia’s energy future, and we want to see more of this technology designed, manufactured and developed here at home.
“By supporting Clutch Industries to establish a scalable manufacturing line right here in Coburg North, we’re backing local industry, creating opportunities for skilled Australian workers and building our advanced manufacturing capability.
“It’s great to hear this $19.35 million project is expected to create at least 16 ongoing skilled jobs, which demonstrates how Australian innovation can translate into real economic opportunities.”
When Will the PowerNet Batteries Reach the Market?
The immediate priority is to establish the manufacturing line and test the battery technology across different applications.
Clutch Industries will need to demonstrate that the production process can deliver consistent quality, safety and performance before the product can move towards wider commercial use.
The government announcement does not provide a confirmed retail launch date, production capacity or expected consumer price.
According to ARENA’s project information, the project is scheduled to run from 8 September 2026 to 13 December 2029.
The funding therefore supports more than the production of a portable battery. It will help establish an Australian manufacturing platform for modular solid-state battery systems and develop the technical capability needed for future production.
More related news you may want to read: LONGi Targets Australia’s Growing Battery Storage Market With New Grid, Business and Microgrid Solutions
Midea Launches Edith Series Air Conditioners in Australia With AI Energy-Saving Technology
Sungrow Launches Home Battery That Can Expand to 120 kWh as Australian Energy Needs Grow
CleanSwitch Take: What We Think
Australia has spent years building its renewable energy capacity, but manufacturing the technology behind that transition is another challenge. This investment is interesting because it looks beyond installing more batteries and focuses on developing the ability to manufacture them locally. PowerNet’s portable design also raises an interesting possibility: households may eventually have more flexibility in how they use stored electricity.
However, $6.77 million in funding does not guarantee an affordable product or commercial success. The real test will be manufacturing quality, safety, pricing and consumer demand.
Our team at CleanSwitch will continue to follow this project and keep you informed as PowerNet moves towards production and wider market availability.
