Altech to start selling sodium nickel chloride (SNC) batteries

Australian solid-state battery developer Altech Batteries has entered the market for sodium nickel chloride (SNC) batteries—previously referred to as sodium alumina solid state (SAS)—in Australia, Europe and the US through a strategic collaboration and distribution agreement with AMPower.

AMPower is a subsidiary of Chilwee Group, a Chinese battery manufacturer, which has production capabilities spanning lead-acid, lithium-ion, sodium-ion and next-generation battery technologies.

AMPower manufactures conventional Zebra-type sodium nickel chloride (Na/NiCl₂) solid-state batteries, using the same chemistry as Altech’s CERENERGY primarily for the small Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) industrial market.

AMPower was originally established as a joint venture with General Electric to produce sodium nickel chloride UPS batteries under the Durathon brand.  

In the initial phase, AMPower will produce SNC solid-state UPS batteries for Altech under the Altech brand. This strategy will enable Altech to generate cash flow and strengthen its market presence while the company advances and secures funding for its CERENERGY 120 MWh energy storage project in Germany.

The UPS batteries can stay fully charged, idle and instantly ready for discharge for more than 10 years, without the need for regular maintenance or the frequent replacements required by lead acid, lithium-ion or Ni-Cad batteries, according to Altech.

In the second phase, AMPower intends to manufacture sodium nickel chloride batteries for the household, industrial and grid-scale energy storage markets. The company currently has the capacity to produce approximately 100 MWh per annum, with the ability to scale up to 200 MWh per annum.

Altech and AMPower will cooperate on the development of small and medium-size sodium nickel energy storage systems, and each will have the authority to distribute the systems under their own brands.

Under the agreement, AMPower will manufacture the battery cells, integrate the battery management and thermal systems, and assemble the grid-ready battery packs. AMPower will also provide customers with the required warranties and performance guarantees for the grid systems.

Altech will define the technical specifications and operational modes tailored to a range of energy storage and BESS applications, while overseeing production, branding, regional certifications, marketing, and distribution.

CERENERGY represents the next generation of sodium nickel chloride technology, featuring an advanced tubular design that enhances thermal management, improves electrochemical efficiency and delivers higher energy density beside simplifying the manufacturing process whilst increasing quality, reliability and performance, the company said.

“These batteries are inherently fireproof, perform reliably in extreme temperatures, and offer strong environmental credentials, making them an ideal fit for the needs of the stationary energy storage market,” Altech Group Managing Director Iggy Tan said. “Growing concerns over battery fire risks, particularly in data centers and AI facilities, are further accelerating demand. Our collaboration with AMPower enables immediate production, and our offtake customers are eager to secure supply.”

Source: Altech