CERENERGY Prototypes Achieve 92% Energy Efficiency and 650+ Stable Cycles

A New Benchmark in Battery Durability

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX, ATC) has unveiled compelling new data for its CERENERGY sodium nickel chloride battery prototypes, marking a significant leap forward in the quest for safer, longer-lasting energy storage solutions. The company’s prototype cells have impressively completed over 650 full charge-discharge cycles without any measurable loss in capacity; a feat that outperforms many conventional battery technologies and signals a potentially transformative impact on stationary energy storage systems.

Cycle life is a critical metric for batteries, especially in grid and renewable energy applications where frequent cycling is the norm. The durability demonstrated by CERENERGY cells suggests fewer replacements and lower operational costs over the battery’s lifespan, enhancing the economic case for large-scale deployment.

Efficiency and Safety at the Forefront

Beyond longevity, the CERENERGY cells delivered near-perfect Coulombic efficiency, indicating minimal energy loss to side reactions and underscoring the intrinsic chemical stability of the sodium nickel chloride chemistry. Energy efficiency reached up to 92%, surpassing the typical 70–80% range of competing technologies, which translates into more effective energy storage and retrieval.

Safety remains a paramount concern in battery technology, and CERENERGY’s performance under extreme abuse tests; including overcharge, deep discharge, and thermal cycling up to 300°C; was notably robust. The cells showed no signs of gassing, leakage, or rupture, highlighting their resilience and the advantage of avoiding flammable electrolytes common in lithium-ion batteries. This robustness positions CERENERGY as a safer alternative for large-scale grid and industrial applications.

Real-World Validation of the ABS60 Battery Pack

Complementing the cell-level achievements, Altech’s ABS60 60 kWh battery pack prototype underwent rigorous testing under diverse real-world conditions. It sustained continuous discharges, high-current pulses, and thermal variations while maintaining approximately 88% round-trip efficiency over more than 110 cycles without observable capacity fade. This performance confirms the pack’s readiness for commercial deployment and its suitability for demanding energy storage roles such as renewable integration and peak load management.

Path to Commercialisation and Market Impact

These milestones reinforce CERENERGY’s technological maturity and commercial viability. Altech’s joint venture with Fraunhofer IKTS in Germany aims to establish a 120 MWh production facility, signaling a clear pathway from prototype to market-ready product. The technology’s lithium-free, cobalt-free, and copper-free composition also addresses critical supply chain and environmental concerns, offering a sustainable alternative in an increasingly competitive battery market.

Group Managing Director Iggy Tan highlighted the significance of these results, emphasizing CERENERGY’s combination of long cycle life, high efficiency, and unmatched safety as key differentiators that position the company well for future growth in grid and industrial energy storage sectors.