Altech and Fraunhofer launch design for GridPack sodium chloride battery pack
Altech Batteries (ASX: ATC) and German joint venture partner Fraunhofer IKTS have launched the design for a one-megawatt-per-hour (MWh) sodium chloride battery pack targeting the renewable energy storage market.
Known as GridPack, the low maintenance product is based on Fraunhofer’s Cerenergy sodium alumina solid state battery technology which relies on sodium ions (commonly found in table salt).
Traditional batteries, by comparison, rely on expensive and sometimes scarce metals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite and copper and can be up to 40% more expensive to produce.
Altech said exact production costs for GridPack will be confirmed through a definitive feasibility study which is currently underway.
Power management system
Once commercialised, each unit will have up to 20 battery packs (each rated at 60 kilowatt-hours) installed and connected to a pack power management system.
The pack will have a distinct rating of 600 volts DC and 100 amp hours, and can be arranged in a cluster or array to achieve the required rating of several thousand kilowatts for grid functioning.
With a projected lifespan of over 15 years and unlimited cycling, Altech hopes the technology will become the preferred choice for companies seeking a reliable and long-lasting energy storage solution.
Protection from the elements
Altech’s GridPack has been specifically engineered to adhere to the Ingress Protection (IP) 65 standard (relating to a high level of electrical enclosure sealing), ensuring total protection from the elements.
Its construction means there is no need for additional shelters or buildings to house the batteries and they can be safely installed outdoors in any weather conditions without the need for thermal management.
The “sea container” design facilitates transportation to site by sea or road while the “plug and play” feature ensures ease of installation in remote locations.
Reduced footprint
GridPacks are designed to be stacked on top of each other to reduce the battery footprint, making the product easily scalable and adaptable to meet future energy storage requirements of the site.
Unlike lithium-ion battery mega packs, GridPack does not comprise moving parts such as cooling fans which helps minimise noise during operation and allows the product to be placed near residential areas or in noise-sensitive environments.
Stabilising energy needs
Altech said the GridPacks serve as an “excellent means” of stabilising a region’s energy needs by providing a source of backup power during periods of high demand or when renewable energy sources are not producing at capacity.
They are also reported to be a cost-effective solution for storing and distributing renewable energy across a variety of applications including grid-scale storage, microgrids and electric vehicle charging.