Perth, Oct 1, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Altech Batteries Limited (
ASX:ATC) (A3Y:FRA) (ALTHF:OTCMKTS) is pleased to announce that its first CERENERGY(R) ABS60 battery prototype is online and operating successfully. The completed battery unit has passed all physical tests with flying colours. The prototype was installed at Altech's joint venture partner Fraunhofer IKTS' test laboratory in Dresden, Germany, and integrated into a specially designed battery test station. This setup enables continuous daily charging and discharging cycles to assess the battery's efficiency, stability, and overall performance under real-world conditions.
Highlights
- CERENERGY(R) 60 KWh prototype completed and operating
- Undergoing daily testing with battery test station at Dresden
- Outperformed early expectations
- Exhibiting exceptional efficiency and robust performance
- Maintains safe, optimal operating temperatures
- Ongoing testing providing critical data for off-take parties
- Strong commercial potential for large-scale production
- Separate individual cell testing conducted
- Demonstrates performance to published specifications
Altech's CEO and MD Iggy Tan stated "We are extremely pleased that the first CERENERGY(R) 60kWh battery prototype is now up and running and operating better than expected, reconfirming our confidence in the sodium-chloride solid-state battery technology developed by the world-leading Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. Using common table salt technology and without the requirement for lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite and manganese, the CERENERGY(R) battery can operate in a wide range of temperatures and has a life of 15 years, around double that of lithium-ion batteries.
The prototype can now be demonstrated under real-world conditions, providing critical data for off-take parties. This will be invaluable as Altech pushes forward with sales and finance to construct the first 120MWh plant. With the first Letter of Intent for 30MWh of offtake with Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park recently announced, we envisage that having the CERENERGY(R) 60kWh battery prototype up and running and exceeding expectations, will further assist in the offtake process".
Initial results from the testing are extremely promising. The ABS60 battery has outperformed early expectations, exhibiting exceptional efficiency and robust performance across all key metrics. Notably, the battery has maintained excellent thermal stability, a crucial factor in high-capacity energy storage systems.
Throughout rigorous testing, it has operated within safe temperature limits, with no signs of overheating.
This highlights the effectiveness of the battery's thermal management system, which plays a vital role in enhancing both the safety and longevity of the battery. These early findings confirm the battery's design integrity and bolster confidence in its commercial viability. The ABS60 prototype is expected to continue undergoing further testing and refinement, providing critical data for potential off-take parties.
The success of this prototype positions Altech Batteries at the forefront of advanced battery technology, offering a reliable and efficient energy storage solution.
Individual Cell Testing
An individual cell testing program has also been conducted by the Fraunhofer team at Hermsdorf, Germany.
Separate battery cells underwent extensive testing, highlighting their performance and stability. A total of 497 individual battery cells were produced. The cells were tested at an operational temperature of 300degC.
Key results from over 500 cycles demonstrated stable performance, including a consistent discharge capacity of 80 Ah and an efficiency of up to 91%. The discharge energy and capacity remained stable without any indication of degradation occurring across the 500 cycles, and the average discharge voltage held steady throughout the tests.
Discharge and overcharge stress and abuse tests were conducted without any cell failures, confirming the cells' durability. These findings demonstrate the cells' potential for long-term stability, high energy capacity, and reliability in high-temperature applications.
About the ABS60 Battery Pack
The ABS60 CERENERGY(R) battery pack is a high-performance energy storage system designed for demanding applications. It has a total capacity of 60kWh. The battery pack is composed of 240 CERENERGY(R) cells, each rated at 2.58V. These cells are organized in 4 rows, each comprising 12 cells, and stacked 5 modules high. The dimensional specifications of the battery packs are 2.6 meters in height, 0.4 meters in length, and 1.0 meter in width. Ensuring adherence to the Ingress Protection (IP) 65 standard, the packs are designed to be dust and weatherproof, reflecting high levels of sealing effectiveness for electrical enclosures. Each cell is constructed with solid electrolyte (ceramic tube) technology, offering enhanced safety and thermal stability, even at high operating temperatures of up to 300degC.
The pack's cells are rated at 100 Ah, with an impressive efficiency of up to 91%.
Designed for durability, the battery can withstand over-discharge conditions without failure, making it a reliable solution for long-term, high-temperature operations. The ABS60 CERENERGY(R) battery is ideal for applications requiring consistent performance and reliability in challenging environments.
To View Video Comment from Mr Uwe Ahrens, Managing Director of Altech Batteries GmbH, please visit:
https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/N17206Z7
About Altech Batteries Ltd
Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS ("Fraunhofer") to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.
The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech's land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.
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