Altech completes sodium battery construction

Sodium battery developer Altech Batteries has announced that its first CERENERGY ABS60 battery prototype is online and operating successfully having completed all physical tests ‘with flying colours’.

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.

This setup enables continuous daily charging and discharging cycles to assess the battery’s efficiency, stability, and overall performance under real-world conditions.

Altech CEO and MD Iggy Tan said: “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 in Germany.

“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.”

Tan said completion of the bettery would be invaluable as Altech pushes forward with sales and finance to construct the first 120MWh battery production plant in Germany.

“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.”

Initial results saw the ABS60 battery outperforming early expectations, according to Altech, exhibiting exceptional efficiency and robust performance across all key metrics.

“Notably, the battery has maintained excellent thermal stability, a crucial factor in high-capacity energy storage systems.

“Throughout rigorous testing, it has operated within safe temperature limits, with no signs of overheating.

“This highlights the effectiveness of the battery’s thermal management system, which plays a vital role in enhancing both the safety and longevity of the battery.”

An individual cell testing programme has also been conducted by the Fraunhofer team at Hermsdorf, Germany.

A total of 497 individual battery cells were produced. and tested at an operational temperature of 300°C.

Results from over 500 cycles demonstrated stable performance, including a consistent discharge capacity of 80 Ah and an efficiency of up to 91 percent.

“These findings demonstrate the cells’ potential for long-term stability, high energy capacity, and reliability in high-temperature applications.”

Further reading:

Altech to make its CERENERGY battery in Germany

Picture: Altech Batteries/ Daniela Herold (Fraunhofer IKTS Battery Development Leader) and CERENERGY ABS60