Need more charge? Altech’s salt-fuelled battery alternative just got bigger

Plant output for CERENERGY® battery project increased to 120MWh per annum
Lead engineer not forecasting any additional capital costs
Triple stacking of GridPacks now possible with a simple electrical connection

Altech Batteries is anticipating a 20% higher output for its CERENERGY® battery project without incurring any additional capital costs.

Altech (ASX:ATC) is commercialising its CERENERGY® Sodium Chloride Solid State (SCSS) battery, a game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

The Company states that the batteries are completely fire and explosion proof, have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates.

The battery tech also uses table salt and is free of lithium, cobalt, graphite, and copper –eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.

Following the final stages of facility design, ATC has now successfully increased the output capacity of its upcoming CERENERGY® project in Germany from 100MWh to 120MWh GridPacks per annum.

The technical design optimisation incorporates mostly off-the-shelf equipment despite the relative small size of the proposed plant. ATC was able to achieve this enhancement with the help of lead engineering company Leadec and its joint venture partner Fraunhofer.

Upon reviewing certain equipment supply, Leadec has also concluded the rated output of the plant can be conservatively increased to 120MWh.

There are not expected to be any material increases to the forecast capital costs in the upcoming DFS.

Sleek in design and operation

ATC recently revealed an updated design for the 60KWh battery pack which now features a “sleek” stainless steel interior instead of the previous blue paint. This modification will enable the packs to withstand extreme temperature variations whilst maintaining a pristine appearance.

Another significant design update involved the stacking method for the 1MWh GridPacks. Triple stacking now facilitates a seamless interconnection between each pack, with connection leads incorporated within the frames for an “effortless” plug-and-play setup.

ATC believes this “ingenious” design will substantially minimise the space occupied by grid storage battery packs while eliminating any necessity for separate cooling airflow around the GridPacks and therefore conserving valuable land areas.

DFS progressing on schedule

According to ATC Managing Director Iggy Tan, the increased plant output is further proof that the Company’s CERENERGY^® GridPacks offer a “more advanced” alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries.

“From the beginning, we recognised a considerable margin built into the different equipment designs,” Tan says.

“Initially our approach to facility design was quite conservative. However, as we’ve progressed in finalising the overall equipment operations, it has become evident that we possess the capability to increase our production rate.

“We are currently in the final stages of the DFS, where we are meticulously reviewing all cost factors, including operating consumables and purchased items.”

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.