Lithium Valley Main Report 2018
There are new mines for lithium and other New Energy metals in the Pilbara and the Goldfields and the Kimberley. Processing of these minerals to meet the different stages of quality standards may mean it is easier to do such work near to the mines. Being able to participate in all aspects of the Lithium Valley initiative will be an advantage to these industries. 3.3.10. Build the infrastructure needed for the SIP and New Energy initiative Ensure a timely framework for the transitional development of the new port in Kwinana The development of the new port at Kwinana is crucial to the long term strategic success of the State of Western Australia. There are four pillars of future economic opportunity that will struggle to meet demand without a port that can accommodate the volumes required for the strategic development of the state above and beyond the existing containerised shipping. These four pillars include: ● ● Energy Metals and Battery Manufacturing; ● ● Ship Sustainment both for Defence and Commerce; ● ● Establishing Western Australia as Asia’s Main Source of Proteins; and ● ● World Class Tourism Development at Fremantle The new port in Kwinana or Westport as it is now known requires the road and rail links to be upgraded as well as related supporting infrastructure. This should be a priority but would be best done as a PPP project as outlined below. 3.3.11. Western Power access Renewable power with battery support should be a high priority for the Kwinana region and other parts of the South West Integrated System (SWIS) associated with this New Energy initiative. With such an obvious recognition of the global transition to using renewables and batteries, the New Energy initiative should also be promoting renewables and batteries as part of any access to the SWIS grid managed by Western Power. The prioritisation of renewable energy access and the uptake of new technologies assists in establishing the system as a dynamic network model that can in itself be part of the New Energy initiative. This means that Western Power should prioritise the access to the grid of renewable projects preferably within a six-month time limit from application to connection, especially anything associated with the major sites in Kwinana and Geraldton. New technologies such as blockchain systems enabling microgrids and smart grid support through batteries allow greater and more accurate measurement of network usage. These new technologies have the ability to improve financing, network effectiveness, asset utilisation, planning and delivery. Developing a robust local market for the New Energy metals and batteries can provide a cornerstone for the industry especially when it builds on innovations already underway in WA. The prioritisation of renewable energies fits within this strategy and therefore should be encouraged by fast-tracking access associated with Kwinana and Geraldton. If the Government is committed to attracting secondary processing and electrochemical companies for battery production then a robust local market provides a strong commercial incentive.
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