1. CATL claims to have achieved zero degradation in lithium iron phosphate battery cells over a three-year period, challenging industry norms.
2. The technology behind CATL’s zero degradation claim is being kept secret, with speculation including biomimetic SEI and self-assembled electrolyte technologies.
3. The energy density of CATL’s Tener product, at 6.25MWh per 20-foot container, has been praised, although it may not be the highest in the industry.
CATL has claimed to achieve zero degradation over three years with lithium iron phosphate battery cells, a breakthrough that has significant implications for energy storage applications. The company applied technological learnings from an R&D project to achieve this feat, and the product is known as Tener. The claim has been met with both skepticism and awe, with some experts questioning the feasibility of achieving zero degradation in battery cells.
While CATL has not disclosed the specifics of how it achieved zero degradation, speculation includes the use of biomimetic SEI and self-assembled electrolyte technologies. Some experts suggest that an adaptive battery management system could be used to compensate for aging, allowing for the maintenance of capacity over time.
The Tener product is equipped with a specialized battery for energy storage, with an energy density of 430Wh/L. The product has a capacity of 6.25MWh per 20-foot container, although it may not be the highest in the industry. Other companies like BYD and Svolt Energy are also launching similar products with higher energy densities.
The increase in energy density beyond 5MWh has been made possible by a redesign of the battery cell composition, moving from a ‘jelly roll’ stack design to a ‘Z-stack’ design, providing a 10% volumetric energy density improvement. The industry is quickly growing, with events like the Energy Storage Summit Asia providing insights into the market for credible independent generators, policymakers, and technology providers.