11 FEBRUARY 2021
Federal Minister’s visit unveils Redflow and Optus’ Resiliency Initiative for Mobile Networks
Redflow Limited has partnered with Optus to deploy Redflow batteries as part of the Australian Government’s Mobile Network Hardening Program. The Honourable Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher yesterday visited Redflow’s Brisbane headquarters to launch the initiative, which is funded in part by the Government’s bushfire relief package.
(From left) Optus Retail’s Cameron Penfold, Federal Minister Paul Fletcher with Redflow MD Tim Harris
The Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher, said: “I welcome the fact that Redflow’s innovative Australian technology is being used by Optus in their mobile base station battery upgrades, funded under the Morrison Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program.”
Earlier this week, Optus installed its first Redflow battery system under the Government’s program at a black spot site in Lexton, Victoria. It is planning to deploy Redflow batteries in at least 56 black spot sites as part of the program. Optus has also used Redflow batteries in the environmentally sensitive Daintree Forest in Queensland since 2019.
Redflow Managing Director and CEO Tim Harris said Redflow’s battery design was ideally suited for the Mobile Network Resiliency Program. “Redflow’s solution is suited to warm climates, has lower fire risk than other battery chemistries, is easily integrated with existing batteries, has an energy-saving standby power mode and carries strong environmental credentials,” he said. “Redflow batteries will play an important roll in improving the resiliency of networks, particularly in bushfire-prone areas.”
The Australian Government announced the $13.2 million STAND program last December to enable Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery backup at 467 mobile phone towers for a minimum of 12 hours. Recognising that most power outages occur during emergencies, this investment is part of the $650 million bushfire recovery relief package announced by the Prime Minister in May 2020.
Telecommunication companies including Optus in Australia, Vodafone in New Zealand and Mobax in South Africa already use Redflow batteries to store power at remote telecommunication sites.
Tim Harris said Redflow was delighted that its energy storage system could support this critical program. “We are a proudly Australian company with world-leading technology developed right here in Brisbane, so are delighted our batteries will help make some regional and remote communities safer by providing longer backup power for mobile network towers,” he said.
About Redflow
Redflow Limited, a publicly-listed Australian company (ASX: RFX), produces zinc-bromine flow batteries that tolerate daily hard work in harsh conditions. Marketed as ZCell and ZBM2, Redflow batteries are designed for deep cycling, long-duration stationary energy storage applications in the commercial & industrial and telecommunications sectors and are scalable from a single battery installation through to grid-scale deployments. Redflow batteries are sold, installed and maintained by an international network of energy system integrators. Redflow’s smart, self-protecting batteries offer unique advantages including secure remote management, 100% daily depth of discharge, tolerance of high ambient temperatures, a simple recycling path, no propensity for thermal runaway and sustained energy delivery throughout their operating life.
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