Altech Batteries’ (ASX: ATC) plans to develop unique, solid state battery technology has reached another key milestone with the naming of key contractors for its Cerenergy battery joint venture with Fraunhofer IKTS in Germany.
The unveiling of the main contractors follows the staging of recent critical expert workshops at Fraunhofer’s facility in Dresden, Germany.
The workshops were also used to help finalise the Cerenergy plant design with the various suppliers.
Headed and led by Altech managing director Iggy Tan, the workshops were attended by Altech personnel, a team from the project’s engineering contractor, Leadec, and Fraunhofer’s Cerenergy expert battery team.
Game-changing battery technology
The Cerenergy batteries are a game-changing grid storage alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LiB).
They have been credited as being significantly safer than LiBs, being fire and explosion-proof with a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates.
Using salt, the solid state battery technology is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.
Estimates are that battery costs will be reduced by around 40% due to the removing of the high-cost critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, graphite and copper from the battery make-up.
Altech will be aiming to confirm these numbers in its Cerenergy plant definitive feasibility study (DFS).
Key contractors and suppliers
On overview of the German battery plant suppliers:
Ceramic Mixing Systems
Altech has confirmed it is working with Gustav Eirich for the provision of advanced ceramic powder mixing and granulation equipment and technology. Eirich will also provide equipment and technology for granulating salt and nickel, essential for battery cathodes.
Green Ceramic Cell Production
Frey Systeme will provide isostatic machines for producing green ceramic tubes using alumina powder.
Sintered Ceramic Cell Production
Riedhammer will provide a tunnel kiln for sintering of ceramic tubes, employing a heating profile of approximately 35 hours and maximum temperature of 1600°C.
Cell Quality Checks
Altech and Xenon Automation are collaborating to implement comprehensive quality checks for completed sintered ceramic tubes, ensuring that there are no cracks or faults.
Cell Filling and Assembly
Fritz Automation has been named as the supplier for the cell assembly plant that encompasses various tasks such as tube cutting, ceramic ring assembly, ceramic to cell case assembly, electrode assembly and welding, cathode granules and medium filling, as well as cell and battery pack assembly.
Battery Connections
Hofer Powertrain, a leading German supplier of connector plates used for battery busbar connections and wire connections, has also been selected as a key supplier.
Battery Casing
König Metall will supply insulated battery pack cases for the 60 KWh battery packs.
Cell Initialisation
Dresden Elektronik will undertake cell initialisation and subsequent performance testing of completed battery cells.
Battery Management Systems
Altech is partnering with IAV to provide an advanced Battery Management System (BMS) design for its 60 KWh battery pack and 1 MWh GridPack.
1 MWh GridPack Iso-container
Mein Lagerraum has been named for the fabrication of the specially designed iso-container frame to house the 18 60 KWh battery packs that make up the one MWh GridPack (ABS 1000).
Plant Electrics and Control Systems
Leadec Automation & Engineering will provide advanced electric and automation solutions for the battery plant.
Layout, Architecture and Permitting
Altech has appointed ARIKON Infrastruktur to design and cost all site buildings and infrastructure on the Cerenergy battery site.
EPCM Contractor
Leadec Automation & Engineering has been chosen as the lead engineer for the definitive feasibility study and possibly the EPCM contractor during the build of the Cerenergy 100MWh Battery project.
Automation-driven manufacturing
“The level of excellence exhibited by the German plant unit suppliers we have brought together is truly remarkable. They possess extensive expertise in manufacturing plants that prioritise automation and robotics as essential components of the design,” Mr Tan said.
“Our objective is to manufacture battery cells from the ground up, encompassing the production of ceramic solid-state tubes, full cell assembly, and conducting quality and battery performance checks at a rate of one every 45 seconds.”
“We have made substantial progress in our design endeavours and are currently transitioning towards obtaining the final cost estimates for the plant. Given our exclusive rights to this technology, all our design efforts will pave the way for our future success.”
