Singapore Battery Consortium: 2021 Q2 Lux Newsletter

Battery Swapping: An alternative to fast charging stations

adminastar — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:00:03 +0000

Battery Swapping: An alternative to fast charging stations adminastar Tue, 07/27/2021 - 17:00

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Exclusive Analysis & Commentary

Northvolt raises US$2.7 billion to step up battery production

adminastar — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:58:09 +0000

Northvolt raises US$2.7 billion to step up battery production adminastar Tue, 06/29/2021 - 16:58

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Energy Storage

The latest funding round was led by Swedish pension funds and Omers Capital. Northvolt will use the new investment, in the form of equity, to improve the factory production capacity from a planned 40 GWh to 60 GWh. The funding comes after Northvolt signed multiple contracts with automakers and also acquired Cuberg earlier this year to expand to the U.S. With a goal to transition quickly from producing cells at Northvolt labs to large scale development, the company is staking a claim to become a leading battery cell manufacturer across Europe.

Solid Power follows SPAC trend and will receive up to US$650 million

adminastar — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:56:57 +0000

Solid Power follows SPAC trend and will receive up to US$650 million adminastar Wed, 06/23/2021 - 16:56

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Energy Storage

The solid state battery company has steadily increased its manufacturing capabilities and will deliver full size cells to its automotive partners by next year. Solid Power recently announced its electrolyte is compatible with silicon dominant anodes, likely recognizing lithium anodes inhibit a timely path to commercialization. With the company's focus on scaling production, the extra capital will carry it through expansion; however, Solid Power still doesn't aim to be a cell supplier. Instead, it will depend on strategic partners for commercial production. Solid state batteries continue to be huge capital sinks but are slowly inching toward commercialization.

NanoGraf Technologies announces 800 Wh/L Li ion cell using silicon anodes

adminastar — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:55:46 +0000

NanoGraf Technologies announces 800 Wh/L Li ion cell using silicon anodes adminastar Wed, 06/23/2021 - 16:55

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Energy Storage

Following funding of $1.65 million from the U.S Department of Defense for the development of Li ion batteries, NanoGraf Technologies claims to have achieved a high energy density Li ion cell using silicon anodes. The company claims that the 18650 cells have achieved an energy density of 800 Wh/L and the material developed has increased the battery capacity in the form factor by an initial 12%. Although NanoGraf claims this is a success for the cylindrical cells, the metrics have yet to be validated for the other form factors.

Posco enters battery recycling through China joint venture

adminastar — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:51:23 +0000

Posco enters battery recycling through China joint venture adminastar Fri, 06/18/2021 - 16:51

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Energy Storage

Posco recently announced its plans for battery recycling through its joint venture Posco Hy Clean Metal with China's Huayou Cobalt, a Li ion battery and new cobalt materials producer. The JV will import "black mass" from Europe to be recycled at its first 10,000 ton per year hydrometallurgical plant in South Korea, producing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium for reuse in Posco Chemical's battery cathode plant. Posco has been heavily investing across the battery value chain, including in battery materials, lithium extraction, and now recycling. Clients should expect similar JVs between chemical companies and cathode producers to invest in battery recycling as part of their long term manufacturing strategy.

Solid Power expands solid state battery portfolio to include silicon anodes and conversion cathodes

adminastar — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:50:04 +0000

Solid Power expands solid state battery portfolio to include silicon anodes and conversion cathodes adminastar Fri, 06/18/2021 - 16:50

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Energy Storage

Solid Power has historically focused mostly on lithium metal anodes and NMC cathodes, but it recently announced that it is working on alternatives to this combination. The company specifically called out silicon dominant anodes, of which it has been producing 2 Ah cells but will move to the 20 Ah format this year, and conversion type cathodes, which are likely sulfur based. Interestingly, Solid Power noted its silicon product would beat its lithium metal product to market, targeting commercialization by 2026. Clients should view this move as a hedge against lithium metal, which the company still needs to improve the chemistry of, providing Solid Power several paths to market.

Ample expands battery swapping to Japan through Eneos partnership

adminastar — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 08:47:43 +0000

Ample expands battery swapping to Japan through Eneos partnership adminastar Thu, 06/17/2021 - 16:47

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Energy for Mobility

Eneos and Ample will pilot a battery swapping network before the end of March 2022, marking the first expansion of Ample's solution outside the U.S. Clients should take note of two important parts of the announcement. First, Eneos is a key partner for Toyota's Woven City project, and Ample's solution is nearly identical to the solution proposed at Japan Smart Energy Week in 2018. Toyota could be one of the first automakers to adopt Ample's swapping solution. Second, the project will explore the idea of overbuilding battery capacity at its swapping stations in order to optimize energy consumption, which could improve economics of battery swapping.

JAC launches two swapping enabled BEVs in China with a focus on taxis

adminastar — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:46:09 +0000

JAC launches two swapping enabled BEVs in China with a focus on taxis adminastar Fri, 06/11/2021 - 16:46

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Energy Storage

Though the company is the manufacturing partner of Nio, an early pioneer in battery swapping networks supporting nonfleet vehicles, JAC's models will be sold into the taxi market. Unlike Nio's current vehicles, JAC's will be powered by smaller 44.5 kWh battery packs using LFP cathodes, but they will likely use stations similar to those of Nio and other swapping networks, as earlier this year, the Chinese government put standards in place regarding safety, inspection, and operation of battery swapping stations. Clients should take note of this announcement, as now Nio, BAIC BJEV, Geely, and SAIC/Roewe all make swapping enabled vehicles, and expect more announcements to follow from other automakers.

CATL to begin production of sodium ion batteries

adminastar — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:44:49 +0000

CATL to begin production of sodium ion batteries adminastar Wed, 06/09/2021 - 16:44

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Interest Area

Energy Storage

In a move to diversify its battery product portfolio, CATL will begin manufacturing Na ion batteries in July. This is the first time a major cell manufacturer has bet on the chemistry. Na ion has a lower bill of materials than Li ion; it can be transported safely at 0 V and meets many of the same performance requirements that Li ion has for stationary storage. Clients should anticipate CATL tapping into a reliable market in China considering the country's massive demand for short duration energy storage and industrywide concerns over material shortages for Li ion batteries.

PTT forms joint venture with Foxconn to manufacture electric vehicles

adminastar — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 08:42:10 +0000

PTT forms joint venture with Foxconn to manufacture electric vehicles adminastar Tue, 06/08/2021 - 16:42

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Energy for Mobility

Southeast Asia has been one of the slowest regions to adopt electrified transportation due to few available models of electric vehicles, limited infrastructure, and a more price sensitive market compared to other regions. Activity in the region is now picking up, and the announcement that Thailand's largest corporate entity would partner with Foxconn to leverage its electric vehicle platform will no doubt accelerate electrification of the region. Clients should watch for further announcements from the two companies on charging infrastructure and timelines for operating in the region, as none were provided, but they are important for understanding the pace of adoption in the region.