Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the behemoth behind a considerable share of the world’s energy storage battery shipments, has just raised the bar yet again for the battery industry. The company, revered for its bold strides in battery technology, has unveiled its latest achievement—TENER, a utility-scale lithium battery that boasts an unprecedented zero degradation over the initial five-year period of its operation.
This novel TENER product by CATL is not just about durability; it’s a nod to efficiency and eco-friendly advancements. Packed into a standard 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container, TENER manages to harbor a staggering 6.25 MW capacity. This compact powerhouse outperforms its predecessors by increasing the energy density per unit area by an impressive 30% while simultaneously reducing the overall station footprint by 20%. To put things into perspective, a 200 MWh TENER power station would span an area of 4,465 square meters.
The magic behind this feat lies in TENER cells’ energy density of 430 Wh/L—an impressive milestone for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries used in energy storage. CATL credits this achievement to a blend of innovative technologies, including biomimetic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and self-assembled electrolyte technologies.
CATL’s announcement marks a pivotal moment in energy storage, introducing what it claims to be the world’s first mass-producible energy storage system. The manufacturer promises that “TENER enables unobstructed movement of lithium ions and achieves zero degradation for both power and capacity,” setting a new standard for the industry.
The significance of CATL’s latest innovation stretches beyond impressive longevity. Safety has been a paramount concern in the development of TENER. Utilizing “cutting-edge technologies and extreme manufacturing capabilities,” CATL has addressed the potential hazards posed by highly active lithium metals in zero-degradation batteries. The goal is to prevent thermal runaway, a serious safety risk caused by oxidation reactions. As part of its comprehensive quality management system, CATL engages in rigorous technology development, proof testing, operation monitoring, and safety failure analysis to ensure that each battery meets the stringent safety requirements specific to different scenarios.
Continued vigilance is part of TENER’s operational strategy. Post-deployment, CATL employs AI-powered risk monitoring and intelligent early warning systems to oversee the ongoing functioning of its energy storage systems. This vigilant approach means that CATL can boast a defect rate that reaches the PPB level for cells used in TENER, which, “when extended to the operation throughout its full lifecycle, can lower operating costs and significantly enhance the internal rate of return.”
CATL’s TENER is poised to intensify competition in the large-scale energy storage sector, challenging established products like Tesla’s Megapack. The company’s claim of zero degradation after five years, combined with its superior energy capacity of 6.25 MWh, is poised to capture the attention of energy storage adopters around the globe. While pricing details remain under wraps, CATL’s track record of aggressive pricing strategies suggests that TENER could very well disruptive the energy storage market.
Relevant articles:
– Utility scale lithium battery that doesn’t lose capacity for the first five years, from same company that just released a warranted million mile battery, and dropped the price of their battery cells by 60% or more.
– CATL unveils ‘five-year zero degradation’ BESS with 6.25MWh per container, Energy-Storage.news, Mon, 15 Apr 2024 10:28:32 GMT
– CATL unveils first mass-producible battery storage with zero degradation, pv magazine International, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 11:45:17 GMT
– CATL unveils Tesla Megapack competitor, claims zero degradation and more capacity, Electrek, Fri, 12 Apr 2024 15:51:00 GMT