Altech Batteries’ CERENERGY technology recognised as emerging alternative to lithium-ion in independent report
An independent study into the benefits of Altech Batteries’ (ASX: ATC) unique CERENERGY sodium-nickel-chloride battery has labelled it one of the industry’s “promising emerging technologies”.
Prepared by technical adviser DNV, the high-level report compared CERENERGY’s solid-state composition to alternative non-solid-state batteries such as lithium-ion, sodium-sulphur and vanadium flow.
The report capitalised on DNV’s specialty in identifying, evaluating, testing and certificating battery energy storage systems worldwide.
‘Emerging technology’
While the entire contents of the report remain confidential, Altech confirmed a primary finding by DNV that described CERENERGY as one of the world’s “promising emerging technologies”.
“Further improvements in terms of achievable energy density, performance and cost efficiency can be expected in the coming years,” the finding said.
The report is part of Altech’s funding strategy and due diligence plan to commercialise CERENERGY sodium-chloride solid-state batteries, which the company is marketing as a game-changing alternative to lithium-ion cells.
CERENERGY shelf life
In other development studies, Altech has used a previous form of technology to confirm the exceptional robustness and long-term shelf life of the CERENERGY cells.
The company reactivated a 28-year-old Zebra sodium-chloride battery originally manufactured by AEG ZEBRA in Berlin, demonstrating no degradation in function or capacity despite nearly three decades of dormancy.
Altech said the underlying reason for the “remarkable longevity” lay in the battery’s unique chemistry and solid-state design.
CERENERGY cells have a larger energy capacity (250 watt-hours) compared to Zebra cells (100Wh) and share the same fundamental electrochemical design, but can reduce battery costs and improve energy capacity in the long term.
Stress tests
Stress testing of CERENERGY cells has proven the technology to be safe under extreme conditions beyond standard operating parameters.
Altech joint venture partner Fraunhofer IKTS conducted the tests using rigorous protocols in accordance with international standards to evaluate cell performance under abnormal or stressed conditions.
They validated the robustness of CERENERGY technology and showed the cells continued to operate for weeks under extreme conditions that would cause typical lithium-ion cells to fail.