Dear battery enthusiast,
Welcome to Battery Associates’ November Newsletter. We have summarised some of the month’s most relevant battery news, highlighting technology and research development, and updates from Battery Associates.
Battery Newsletter structure:
Battery Industry Highlights
B.A Editorial
Battery Insiders Podcast
B.A Updates & Events
Battery Industry Highlights
In this section, we have summarised relevant battery news from the past month.
On November 15, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $3.5 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to enhance domestic production of advanced batteries and battery materials. This funding aims to establish domestic facilities for battery-grade processed critical materials, battery precursor materials, battery components, and cell and pack manufacturing in the U.S. Concept papers must be submitted by January 9, 2024, and full applications to access the funding are due in March 2024.
B.A Commentary:Â The $3.5 billion announced is the second phase of the $6 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In the initial phase on October 19, the DOE granted $2.8 billion to diverse battery stakeholders in the U.S. These projects stimulated over $5.8 billion in public-private investment. The funding's focus will be revised approximately every six months, adapting to market and technology evolution.
On November 21, Northvolt disclosed the advancement of a sodium-ion battery cell with a specific energy of 160 Wh/kg. This cell relies on a hard carbon anode and a Prussian white-based cathode. Northvolt asserts that the cell has undergone validation at its R&D and industrialization campus, Northvolt Labs, located in Västerås, Sweden. However, comprehensive data points regarding this development have not been published at this time.
B.A Commentary:Â Northvolt's sodium-ion technology is a collaborative effort with their research partner, Altris. Northvolt asserts that their initial generation of sodium-ion cells is specifically tailored for energy storage solutions. They have outlined plans to deploy their sodium-ion technology in emerging energy storage markets, including India, the Middle East, and Africa.
On November 23, Stellantis inaugurated its circular economy hub, representing an investment of 40 million Euros. The company anticipates employing approximately 550 individuals by 2025. This hub incorporates a remanufacturing centre, sorting centre, vehicle reconditioning centre, and vehicle dismantling centre. Stellantis envisions that their circular economy business model will generate 2 billion euros in sales revenue by 2030, aligning with the "Dare Forward 2030" strategic plan.
B.A Commentary: Stellantis has forged key partnerships to bolster its sustainability initiatives across various fronts. Collaborating with Orano, the company addresses the pre-treatment phase of electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling. Additionally, in conjunction with Galloo, Stellantis established the joint venture SUSTAINera Valorauto SAS, focusing on the responsible disposal of end-of-life vehicles. The company has also entered into a cooperative effort with Qinomic to undertake the electrical retrofitting of light commercial vehicles. This multi-faceted approach reflects Stellantis' commitment to sustainability and circular economy practices. The facility resulting from these collaborations is anticipated to manage over 50,000 remanufactured parts by 2025, with expectations for this number to rise to 150,000 by 2030.
On November 15, reports indicate that Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) BYD is poised to unveil plans for a new electric and hybrid vehicle plant in Hungary. An official from BYD hinted that the formal announcement of this facility is anticipated by the year's end, pending the finalisation of the site selection for the new plant. This move underscores BYD's strategic expansion in the electric and hybrid vehicle market and reflects the broader global trends toward sustainable automotive technologies.
B.A Commentary:Â Â As an integral component of BYD's global expansion strategy, the Chinese automaker has expressed a keen interest in overseas investments, aiming to diversify its manufacturing footprint. The recent EU battery regulation has proven to be a catalyst, drawing considerable foreign investments into the Eurozone. In response to this regulatory landscape, Chinese companies, including BYD, are reassessing their manufacturing and raw materials sourcing strategies to align with and adhere to EU regulations.
In November 2023, Gotion InoBat Batteries (GIB) entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Slovakian government for the establishment of a battery factory in Å urany. The construction of the facility is slated to commence in 2024, with an initial capacity of 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) and the potential to scale up to 40 GWh per annum. The start of production (SOP) is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.
B.A Commentary:Â On September 23, the Chinese battery conglomerate Gotion High-Tech completed the acquisition of a 25% stake in the European battery manufacturer InoBat, forming Gotion-InoBat-Batteries framework. This strategic partnership aims to expedite the localization of the battery value chain for customers, with an initial emphasis on Central and Eastern European (CEE) locations and Morocco. The collaboration also involves the creation of environmentally friendly battery materials and the acceleration of research and development, facilitated by financial and technological support from Gotion High-Tech.
B.A Exclusive summary
The Rise of Sodium-Ion Batteries in Global Energy Storage
The sodium-ion battery technology has rapidly advanced, boasting an average pack cost of USD 40 to 80 per kWh, compared to USD 110 to 120 per kWh for Li-ion batteries—a substantial 30% to 40% cost difference. This cost advantage positions sodium-ion batteries competitively in industries like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), encompassing grid and household markets, data centres, telecommunication energy storage, and urban mobility.
While sodium-ion technology has been around for a decade in R&D, it's gaining momentum. In 2022, China's Hi Na announced mass production, followed by major players like CATL, BYD, and, more recently, Northvolt.Â
Capital expenditure (CAPEX) plays a pivotal role in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) deployment. Within BESS, battery systems alone represent 55% of the CAPEX cost. Consequently, developing nations, including India, Africa, and other South American countries, are poised to embrace sodium-ion battery chemistry in their BESS deployment strategies due to limited fund availability in these economies.
We've observed analogous strides in this movement. Chinese battery manufacturer Great Power unveiled a 5/10 MWh sodium-ion-powered grid-level energy storage demo plant in China. Indian conglomerate Reliance acquired Faradion, a UK-based sodium-ion startup, with plans for mass production of sodium-ion cells in India. Natron Energy in the US has already introduced sodium-ion-powered battery systems for the telecommunications industry. Adding to this, European battery manufacturer Northvolt recently announced the development of a 160 Wh/kg sodium-ion battery cell in partnership with Altris, aiming to bolster the energy storage market in regions such as India and Africa.
In summary, first-generation sodium-ion batteries boast a 160 Wh/kg capacity, with next-gen batteries expected to reach 200 Wh/kg. The favorable techno-economics positions sodium-ion batteries well in multiple industries. The recent decline of lithium raw material costs and the need for higher performance, such as cycle life and stability, pose a hurdle in the deployment of sodium-ion batteries. Despite these challenges, sodium-ion chemistry is poised to capture a considerable market share in the foreseeable future.
EU Battery Regulation Services
Visit our updated EU Battery Regulation Briefings website (batteryregulation.eu).You are able to request an expert call and also access our AI-powered tool to understand the passed EU Battery Regulation. For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out via info@batteryregulation.eu.
Website: Link
Company Member News
SES AI Corporation (NYSE:SES), a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance Li-Metal rechargeable batteries for EV and other applications, has announced its 3rd annual Battery World event scheduled for December 12, 2023, at 9 am EST. During the event, SES AI plans to unveil several key developments, including entering the world's first Li-Metal B-sample joint development agreement with a major automotive OEM and announcing plans for the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market. SES AI anticipates sharing details on other exciting initiatives as well. To participate in Battery World 2023, interested individuals can register at https://batteryworldregistration.ses.ai.
Battery Insiders Podcast Summary
Battery Associates runs a monthly podcast called Battery Insiders. Battery Insiders covers the role of batteries for sustainable development and battery-relevant topics featuring a range of battery experts and enthusiasts. Our podcast also includes the recordings of the Battery Revolution Clubhouse sessions co-hosted live by Mariam Awara. Battery Insiders is hosted by Bhavya Jha and Dr. Simon Engelke.
Talk on:Â Insights on the Indonesian Nickel Ecosystem: Present and Future Plans
Speaker:Â Meidy Katrin, Secretary General of Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI)
Session Summary:Â This episode provides a brief overview of the Indonesia Nickel Miners Association, highlighting its role as a bridge between industry players and the government. @Meidy Katrin discusses the association's efforts to establish a benchmark price for nickel transactions in Indonesia. This initiative aims to ensure fair practices, pay royalties to the government, and increase the value added from the nickel sector. She also highlights Indonesia's success in nickel downstream processing, citing the establishment of 60 smelters and five factories producing battery materials. Lastly, the guest also touches on the upcoming elections and the importance of creating regulations to support industrial growth. Watch the full conversation here!
Battery Associates Updates & Events
BatteryMBA January Cohort- Apply by 15th December
BatteryMBA January Cohort - Apply by 15 December
BatteryMBA’s tenth cohort kicks off on January 8 - March 30, 2024! BatteryMBA offers a combination of in-depth technical and business knowledge on a range of battery topics aligned with the sector's dynamic growth. BatteryMBA alumni have affiliations with Tesla, Farasis Energy, JLR, Airbus, Hitachi High-Tech Europe, Schlumberger, Bertrandt Group, AMTE Power, University of Birmingham, European Parliament, and many others.
The course consists of an exciting battery case study track (with case studies from leading business schools). Enroll here before the deadline on 15th December! If you have any queries, reach out to us via email at info@battery.mba. Need-based scholarships and group discounts are available.
Battery Day 2024
Registrations are now open for Battery Day 2024, which will take place on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Battery Day 2024 will feature panels, deep dive sessions, keynotes and networking breaks to facilitate up-to-date knowledge of different battery technologies, future chemistries, applications, and market insights from leading battery experts. If you are interested in being involved in the event, please contact info@battery.associates.
Battery Associates services
Battery Associates offers consultancy, innovation, and education services on a wide range of topics. Please get in touch if you're interested in any of our services!
About Battery Associates
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