Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Sodium_Ion_Batteries (Safe, fast-charging long-life Sodium-ion batteries for vehicles and power storage)
Reporting period: 2018-12-01 to 2019-02-28
Current energy storage technologies such as Li-ion batteries involve the use of raw materials sourced outside the EU (Li, Co, Ni) and sometimes tainted by questionable mining conditions. Moreover, a shift in the customer usages brings fast charging at the forefront of the needs in many new technologies. Na-ion cells might solve both problems and also reduce significantly the costs of the battery.
This disrupts significantly habits: fleet technologies, high power alternatives to Li-ion technologies for thousands of cycles and low heating during use bring an interesting alternative to current solutions.
TIAMAT’s project is very ambitious and no other companies of that size has attempted the launch of a breakthrough technology such as Na-ion batteries in recent years: bringing the product from academic research to a commercialised product within less than 10 years.
This disrupts significantly habits: fleet technologies, high power alternatives to Li-ion technologies for thousands of cycles and low heating during use bring an interesting alternative to current solutions.
TIAMAT’s project is very ambitious and no other companies of that size has attempted the launch of a breakthrough technology such as Na-ion batteries in recent years: bringing the product from academic research to a commercialised product within less than 10 years.
On top of the development and prototyping of the cells, it is crucial to determine what end users are likely to be the first customers and early adopters. A market study is a key element of the strategy to commercialise the cells moving forward. Axes of development and priorities were determined according to the positioning of the technologies against direct concurrents and the heaviest requirements.
Another aspect of the commercialisation lies in transportation and regulation. A strategy has been put together to draw a path towards the easiest way to sell and transport this new, poorly known, energy storage technology. Actions are taken at the United Nations, initiated by the UK to change the current class of regulation used for Na-ion cells. TIAMAT is not only following closely the evolution, but also plans to carry out its own abusive tests and bring expertise on the question and the discussions with the United Nation.
To finish, the manufacturing of cells to lower the costs and get a "greener" process were evaluated. Early tests have been carried out. Supply chain in Europe has been studied with some key elements shipped from Asia. It is hoped that the construction of several Gigafactories in Europe will allow for a better procurement in cells components and materials.
Another aspect of the commercialisation lies in transportation and regulation. A strategy has been put together to draw a path towards the easiest way to sell and transport this new, poorly known, energy storage technology. Actions are taken at the United Nations, initiated by the UK to change the current class of regulation used for Na-ion cells. TIAMAT is not only following closely the evolution, but also plans to carry out its own abusive tests and bring expertise on the question and the discussions with the United Nation.
To finish, the manufacturing of cells to lower the costs and get a "greener" process were evaluated. Early tests have been carried out. Supply chain in Europe has been studied with some key elements shipped from Asia. It is hoped that the construction of several Gigafactories in Europe will allow for a better procurement in cells components and materials.
In order to fully launch the commercialisation of the Na-ion technology, many other aspects (technical, marketing, ...) need to be evaluate. Qualifications in representative environment of proofs of concept of this innovative technology (modules and packs) requires a high number of cells. Such manufacturing will only be made possible once a demonstrator line (small plant capable to produce up to 5 MWh) will be built, equipped and operational. This will be the goal of TIAMAT's second fund raising. Such an ambitious target is, to the best of our knowledge, unique worldwide. This demo plant would add to the knowledge of cell manufacturing in Europe and bring Na-ion battery to a commercial reality.