Green Gravity at the NSW Business Awards. Photo: Supplied.
Two Wollongong cleantech companies have put the region’s innovation credentials firmly on the map, taking out major honours at the NSW Business Awards in Sydney this week (29 October).
Renewable energy storage company Green Gravity and battery manufacturer Sicona Battery Technologies claimed top state titles, showcasing the Illawarra’s growing role in the global clean energy transition.
Green Gravity won the Excellence in Sustainability category, while Sicona took out Excellence in International Business just one night after being part of the AFR BOSS Most Innovative Companies awards.
Green Gravity CEO Mark Swinnerton said the NSW award was a significant milestone, demonstrating its acceptance and success within the Illawarra but also at a state level.
“That really means something to our customers,” Mark said.
“We’re working in a variety of countries, where I often get the question, ‘How are you going in your backyard? Are you accepted by community?’”
He said the company – which specialises in technology that raises and lowers heavy weights in a mine shaft to capture and release the gravitational energy of the weights – saw the recognition as validation of its innovative approach.
“People want to see us repurpose infrastructure, see more renewable energy in the grid, and to see Australia generate manufacturing jobs here that lead to exports,” he said.
“All of those messages are consistent with what we’re doing.”
He said there was clearly “something in the water” in Wollongong, with fellow innovative business Sicona Battery Technologies also a winner at the state level.
“It’s important for the rest of the state to start to notice,” he said.
“If you look at the quality of submissions that went forward from the Illawarra this year, I think they were the best we’ve seen in years.
“Accordingly, we saw success in international business and in sustainability at the state level.
“It was a really good sign of what’s coming down the path from Wollongong and the Illawarra and it’s not by chance, but because of the hard work that has been getting done in the region.”
The Sicona team at the awards. Photo: Supplied.
He credited the region’s success to collaborative efforts, including support from the University of Wollongong and Wollongong City Council, which recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Green Gravity to advance technology, infrastructure and job creation in the region.
Among its next major projects to cement the region’s reputation as a hub for sustainable innovation was developing the world’s first full-sized gravitational energy storage system at the Russell Vale mine.
“What we are also seeing in the region is a lot of businesses collaborating,” he said.
“That is through grant applications, for example, where several were recently put forward by a consortium of Illawarra businesses to both federal and state levels.
“It shows people are working together to get a better outcome, and that’s all resulting in more businesses coming out of the area, more jobs, more economic activity, and we’re starting to see some recognition of that.
“The region’s on a great high and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Sicona Battery Technologies’ award recognised its role in taking Illawarra technology to the world and driving solutions at the heart of the global energy transition.
CEO and co-founder Christiaan Jordaan said the win was a proud moment for the company and the region.
“This award is proof that world-class technology can be born in Wollongong and scaled globally,” Christiaan said.
“I’m so proud of our team, and of the Illawarra’s role in making the future here in Australia.”
In his acceptance speech, he also acknowledged the achievements of Green Gravity.
“Last night showed that Wollongong is a leader in innovation and clean technology,” he said.
“To see Sicona and Green Gravity recognised together on this stage makes me incredibly proud of our region.”
