Altech’s first CERENERGY salt battery prototype can handle the heat

Altech Batteries says its CERENERGY salt-based battery prototype is operating successfully, confirming its thermal stability compared to alternative technologies.

The battery has excellent thermal stability for operating in extreme temperatures. Pic: Getty Images

• Altech’s ABS60 salt battery prototype performs well throughout rigorous testing

• Early findings bolster confidence in the battery’s commercial viability

• Prototype to undergo further testing and refinement

 

Special Report: Altech Batteries has announced its first CERENERGY ABS60 salt-based battery prototype is online and operating successfully across a range of temperatures, confirming its thermal stability.

The ABS60 CERENERGY® batteries use common table salt and ceramic solid-state technology, and do not require critical minerals like lithium, copper, graphite, nickel and cobalt.

They are completely fire and explosion proof, have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in all but the most extreme conditions – ideal for applications requiring consistent performance and reliability in challenging environments.

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 enabling continuous daily charging and discharging cycles to assess the battery's efficiency, stability, and overall performance under real-world conditions.

So far, the completed battery unit has passed all physical tests with flying colours, exhibiting exceptional efficiency and robust performance whilst maintaining safe, optimal operating temperatures.

That thermal stability in particular is a crucial factor in high-capacity energy storage systems.

Testing provides key data for offtakers

Ongoing testing of the battery is providing critical data for off-take parties, and with the effectiveness of the battery's thermal management system (which plays a vital role in enhancing both safety and longevity) the company is confident that there is strong commercial potential for large-scale production.

“We are extremely pleased that the first CERENERGY® 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,” Altech Batteries (ASX:ATC) CEO and MD Iggy Tan said.

“Using common table salt technology and without the requirement for lithium, copper, cobalt, graphite and manganese, the CERENERGY® 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.”

Altech is aiming to develop a 120MWh plant having announced a cornerstone customer last month.

“This will be invaluable as Altech pushes forward with sales and finance to construct the first 120MWh plant,” Tan said.

“With the first letter of intent for 30MWh of offtake with Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park recently announced, we envisage that having the CERENERGY® 60kWh battery prototype up and running and exceeding expectations, will further assist in the offtake process.”

An individual cell testing program has also been conducted by the Fraunhofer team at Hermsdorf, Germany, with discharge and overcharge stress and abuse tests 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, the company says.

This article was developed in collaboration with Altech Batteries, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.