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Highlights
CERENERGY® battery technology shows resilience after decades in storage
Shares solid-state chemistry with legacy Zebra batteries, maintaining stable performance
Daily cycling at high temperature underway with joint venture partner Fraunhofer IKTS
Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC), a company operating within the clean energy sector and part of the ASX 200 index, has verified the durability of its CERENERGY® battery system through a real-world activation of a decades-old Zebra battery. The test highlighted the robust nature of sodium-nickel-chloride chemistry, which underpins both the legacy Zebra and the advanced CERENERGY® technologies.
The Zebra unit, manufactured in Berlin by AEG ZEBRA, remained unused for an extended period before being heated to its activation threshold. Once at temperature, it commenced operation without any observable decline in function. This outcome underscores the long-term storage capability of the sealed solid-state system, which is gaining attention for uses in critical sectors like emergency power infrastructure and defence-grade backup solutions.
Foundation in Established Chemistry
The technological basis of CERENERGY® stems from Zebra batteries, which employed solid sodium aluminium chloride and nickel powder. These elements are housed within a containment design engineered to avoid chemical degradation across extended durations. This electrochemical arrangement ensures consistent reliability even in harsh operating conditions.
CERENERGY® builds on the established Zebra framework but offers significantly enhanced energy density, supporting higher efficiency in applications ranging from grid storage to industrial backup systems. The company’s adoption of solid-state structures positions the technology as an alternative to lithium-ion systems, especially in environments requiring inert storage.
Activation Through Thermal Inertia
One distinguishing feature of CERENERGY® batteries is their non-reactive state at ambient temperatures. The systems only activate when heated, removing the risk of degradation during long periods of inactivity. This mechanism allows for secure storage without power loss, ideal for applications where energy must be stored passively until needed.
Unlike lithium-ion alternatives, which depend on liquid electrolytes vulnerable to time-based decay, CERENERGY® technology remains inert and safe until thermally triggered. This characteristic is advantageous for strategic installations, where readiness and minimal maintenance are priorities.
Ongoing Evaluation by Strategic Partner
In cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Altech is conducting continuous charge and discharge cycles on the activated unit at elevated temperatures. Early assessments suggest performance metrics remain stable, further validating the electrochemical structure's integrity.
The partnership with Fraunhofer IKTS extends to a broader manufacturing initiative, with plans underway to develop a dedicated CERENERGY® facility in Saxony, Germany. The project aims to scale up production capacity to meet growing industrial and grid-related energy storage demands.
Advancement on Multiple Fronts
In addition to CERENERGY®, Altech is progressing its Silumina Anodes™ initiative, which is designed to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. This project aligns with the broader objective of supporting the electric vehicle sector in Europe, complementing the company's strategic footprint across the battery technology landscape.
By reinforcing the reliability of both sodium-based and lithium-enhanced solutions, Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC) continues to demonstrate innovation across multiple energy storage domains, consistent with the broader clean energy focus of companies within the ASX 200 index.
