Venture markets safer batteries
LITHIUM Australia is forming a business partnership with leading Chinese battery producer DLG Battery Ltd to launch a new range of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) in the Australian market, with a focus on industry-scale energy storage systems (ESS).
The new marketing division, Soluna Australia, will provide technical support, customer service and, importantly, a range of lithium-iron-phosphate (often referred to as lithium-ferro-phosphate or LFP) battery options for greater safety and superior performance in ESS applications.
Extensive market enquiries have identified strong demand for flexible and tailored LIB and LFP solutions in the ESS sector, which will be the prime focus of Soluna, in which Lithium Australia holds 50pc equity.
From a new Australian-based facility, Soluna will supply and service a range of energy-storage products – from residential energy-storage through to industrial energy-storage units.
Custom products, in particular for applications such as large-scale storage (including microgrids), will be provided to bespoke specifications.
Lithium Australia managing director Adrian Griffin said the alliance with DLG provided an opportunity to establish Soluna as a leading Australian-based provider of LIBs and technical solutions “to the fast-growing ESS market that sits in our own backyard”.
“In addition, Lithium Australia is well on the way to meeting the requirements that will enable VSPC to commercialise its cathode materials and provide Australia with access to purpose-built LFP battery storage, the safest and most effective option for energy storage systems,” he said.
Established in Shanghai, China in 2001, DLG is a leading manufacturer of LIBs, with extension to the downstream battery pack business, and has become a well-known supplier of green energy solutions across China.
The DLG business encompasses many areas, including LIBs, battery control systems, consumer batteries and a range of other battery-related research, design, manufacturing, sales and service activities.