‘Green’ battery factory could power 1,000 jobs
PLANS for a new battery factory for the renewables sector in Swansea have been revealed – which could create 1,000 jobs.
While it would require a major fundraising round, Bridgend-based DST Innovations is working with mainly US backers and investors to bring a manufacturing facility to the city for a new generation of batteries, providing an alternative to lithium by using organic materials such as coal.
The technology developed by DST is based on transforming materials such as coal in hard carbon for use in specialist offshore and coastal energy batteries, which can store and release energy more efficiently.
DST Innovations, known for providng lighting solutions to clients including Las Vegas casinos, has formed a joint venture with its American partner Blue Rock Manufacturing and its backers.
Based on DST Innovations’ new battery intellectual property (IP) known as BATRI, work is advancing on a first factory in West Virginia in the US, which will employ 1,000. It is scheduled to open later this year.
The plan is to create a sister plant, employing the same number of people, in Swansea. DST is working with Swansea council to identify a preferred location for the factory, which could require a £50m investment.
The ownership split for the manufacturing facilities is based on DST having 70% due to its IP, with the remainder held by Blue Rock Manufacturing.
To develop its latest technology DST has secured a £1.25m investment, including from its owner backers and those in the US, to expand its battery research facility in Bridgend.
This phase will create up to 25 new scientific roles in preparation for large-scale battery manufacturing on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tony Miles, chief executive of DST, said “This expansion is exciting for both DST and for Wales. We are creating a greener alternative to the existing chemical and lithium batteries. Our technology significantly reduces the problems surrounding recycling and the disposal of traditional batteries, along with providing safe energy storage, even in extreme environments.”
The BATRI products are specifically designed to operate in extreme environments due to their energy cells being less adversely affected by extreme temperature.
Swansea council leader Rob Stewart said: “We very much welcome this announcement. We continue to work closely with DST to find a suitable site in Swansea to create a facility that would deliver world-leading battery technology.”
Mr Stewart said any factory in Swansea could utilise Welsh coal as part of a “circular economy” solution. The council will soon hold talks over the project with Democrat senator for West Virginia, Joe Manchin, who will play a key role in President Joe Biden’s green energy strategy.
DST is also part of a consortium behind the proposed £1.4bn Dragon Energy Island project off the coast of Swansea, which has emerged after the failure of a previous tidal lagoon project. There is potential for its batteries to be embedded in the walls of any new lagoon scheme.
Governor of West Virginia Jim Justice said: “This is yet another wonderful step for our incredible business partners in Wales and we are excited beyond belief.
“We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this game-changing effort in new energy, especially as a state known for our mining and natural resources. Much like Wales, we in West Virginia appreciate what it means to cultivate our resources to power our communities.”
DST said it couldn’t give a timescale on when any factory in Swansea could become operational.