Altech Batteries’ (ASX: ATC) German subsidiary Altech Batteries GmbH has commenced a permitting and licensing application process for the group’s Cerenergy battery project at Schwarze Pumpe industrial park in Saxony.
The company is in joint venture with Fraunhofer IKTS to commercialise a 100 megawatts per hour battery plant focused on the grid (stationary) energy storage market.
In Germany, the approval process for construction and operation of new plants is determined by environmental risk impacts, with most projects falling under the jurisdiction of the Immission Control Act (known as BimSchG) for federal approval.
The Cerenergy project however, has been determined to be a manufacturing installation and is expected to be approved under the state process.
The Saxony state government has established an inter-ministerial task force to assist Altech in expediting the approvals.
Definitive feasibility study
Group managing director Iggy Tan said the permitting process would precede a definitive feasibility study for the battery project.
“We are pleased to have initiated the licensing application for Cerenergy so quickly, considering we only executed the joint venture agreement with Fraunhofer about 12 months ago,” he said.
“Our approach of being dynamic, quick moving and to run things concurrently puts us in good stead to complete the definitive feasibility study and continue the financing process.”
Game-changing alternative
Cerenergy batteries are being marketed as a “game-changing” grid storage alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
They are fire and explosion-proof, have a life span of more than 15 years and can operate in extreme cold and desert climates.
Cerenergy technology employs table salt and is free of lithium, cobalt, graphite and copper which eliminates exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.
Green accreditation
In July, Altech announced it would chase “green” accreditation for the Cerenergy project with the help of Norway’s Centre of International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO).
A study conducted by the Sustainable Technologies Laboratory at Bochum University of Applied Sciences in Germany, found that greenhouse gas emissions from Cerenergy batteries were significantly lower compared to their lithium-ion counterparts.
