Revolutionising clean energy storage  

Published on 31 March 2025

As Australia transitions to net zero, regional communities and pioneering companies are shaping the country’s economic future. The Hunter region is at the heart of innovative business, and home-grown company MGA Thermal is enabling 24/7 clean energy. 

MGA Thermal has developed a revolutionary technology that is purpose-built called Miscibility Gap Alloy (MGA), manufactured as MGA Blocks. MGA Blocks are used in Thermal Energy Storage Systems (TESS) which deliver continuous high temperature heat or electricity that is safe, low cost, sustainable and high capacity. These have a range of applications including storing renewable energy, making 24/7 clean steam and running steam turbines at power stations as an alternative to burning coal. 

“The blocks are heated up using electricity from excess renewables; we store that heat in the blocks very effectively, and then we dispatch that heat when industry needs it. Our product means the ability to store and dispatch renewable energy on demand to replace fossil fuels,” says co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Tomago-based MGA Thermal, Dr Alexander Post.  

Leading innovation in the Hunter 

In 2021 MGA Thermal was listed as one of the country’s top 100 innovators by the Australian Business Review. The five-year-old company’s impact is already being felt. 

'We manufacture our bespoke material here in the Hunter and we are planning to export it all over the world,' says Dr Post.  

As the beating heart of Australia’s energy network, the Hunter region is the perfect location for the innovative business. 

'It’s a highly skilled region,' says Head of Engineering Annie Lacombe. 'We’re tapping into the talent that’s already here and offering opportunities for local people.' 

With $3.75 million in government funding via Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), MGA Thermal is set for future growth. 

'We have a rapid growth plan to meet the demands set by decarbonisation,' Dr Post says. 

'Our next stage is a 20-times increase in our manufacturing capacity here in Newcastle, which allows us to produce storage material at gigawatt-hour per annum scale for our customers.' 

The Net Zero Economy Authority is championing the groundbreaking work of companies in the Hunter region and across Australia to find safe and sustainable clean energy solutions.