Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF) says its flagship CERENERGY® cell and ABS60 battery pack prototypes have achieved a series of key performance milestones, marking another step towards industrialisation of its sodium nickel chloride technology. The results include more than 650 cycles with no measurable capacity loss, near-perfect efficiency and proven stability under extreme testing conditions.
The company says the outcomes validate CERENERGY® as a durable, efficient and inherently safe alternative to lithium-ion batteries, offering grid operators and renewable projects the prospect of lower lifetime costs and reduced safety risks. With both cell-level and pack-level prototypes now tested under real-world conditions, Altech believes the technology is ready to advance toward commercial-scale deployment.
Strong cell performance
The CERENERGY® prototype cells have completed more than 650 charge–discharge cycles without any detectable degradation, a result the company describes as exceptional compared with conventional battery chemistries.
The cells also delivered nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency and up to 92% energy efficiency, comfortably ahead of the 70–80% levels typically seen in competing technologies such as flow batteries and high-temperature systems. Altech says the results point to lower replacement requirements and more attractive economics for energy storage projects.
Cycle Data showing State of Charge and Discharge Capacity.
The prototypes maintained reliable output under higher discharge rates and abuse testing, including deliberate overcharge, deep discharge and thermal cycling up to 300°C. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, the sodium nickel chloride chemistry does not rely on flammable electrolytes, avoiding thermal runaway risks and supporting safer large-scale applications.
“These results confirm CERENERGY®’s robustness and readiness for market adoption,” said Altech group managing director Iggy Tan. “Demonstrating long cycle life, high efficiency, and unmatched safety, we are now strongly positioned to deliver a competitive and sustainable alternative for grid and industrial energy storage.”
ABS60 battery pack validated
Altech’s first 60-kilowatt-hour (kWh) ABS60 battery pack prototype has now been tested across varied load profiles, high-current pulses up to 50 A and controlled temperature shifts.
The pack consistently achieved around 88% round-trip efficiency over more than 110 cycles, with no observable capacity fade and only a marginal rise in internal resistance. Altech says these results confirm the design’s durability and thermal stability, key features for grid and industrial storage markets where reliability and service life directly impact operating costs.
Pack discharge at various C-rates and State of Charge (SOC).
Commercialisation pathway
CERENERGY® technology is being advanced through Altech’s joint venture with German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS, with plans to construct a 120-MWh production facility in Saxony, Germany. The batteries are designed for a lifespan of more than 15 years and can operate in both freezing and desert climates, while avoiding reliance on lithium, cobalt, graphite, and copper.
In parallel, Altech is developing its Silumina Anodes™ project in Saxony, aimed at supplying silicon–alumina battery materials to the European EV sector. A definitive feasibility study has been completed for an 8,000-tonnes-per-annum plant, supported by a pilot facility already under construction.