Altech Batteries Ltd (ASX:ATC, OTC:ALTHF) has finalised the engineering design for its next-generation sodium-nickel-chloride (SNC) uninterrupted power supply (UPS) battery system, marking a key milestone as the company prepares for first deployments across Europe.
The completed design clears the way for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of the first production unit in mid-March 2026 — a technical checkpoint that will validate electrical performance, safety systems, communication interfaces and mechanical integration before the first systems are shipped.
A successful FAT is expected to unlock field deployment at five priority trial sites in the Netherlands, secured through ongoing engagement with Dutch infrastructure and industrial operators. The sites span gas transmission infrastructure, industrial controls and distributed safety-critical nodes, providing a broad demonstration environment for the solid-state SNC technology.
Each location will replace ageing lead-acid or nickel-cadmium installations, giving operators a direct point-by-point comparison of life-cycle performance, reliability and maintenance requirements.
Responding to Europe’s infrastructure shift
Altech says interest across Europe continues to rise as utilities and heavy-industry operators look for safer, maintenance-free alternatives to legacy systems. Lead-acid installations are reaching end-of-life at scale, while nickel-cadmium batteries face increasing environmental and regulatory pressure.
The company is positioning its SNC solution as a fireproof, hydrogen-free and maintenance-free option for ATEX-classified and risk-critical sites — areas where lithium-ion technology remains constrained by safety limits.
The new SNC UPS system incorporates a stainless-steel cabinet, four integrated ZEBRA-type SNC modules, passive-safety architecture and fully integrated BMS communications via Modbus, CAN and RS485. Designed as a true “drop-and-play” system, it can slot into existing UPS infrastructure without changes to inverters, rectifiers or site wiring, significantly reducing installation complexity.
Building momentum with AMPower
The design-completion milestone also reflects the growing strength of Altech’s collaboration with AMPower, the world’s largest producer of sodium-nickel-chloride solid-state batteries.
AMPower will manufacture SNC UPS units to Altech’s specifications for distribution in Europe, Australia and the US, providing a scalable pathway into the global industrial UPS market. Both companies are now preparing for higher-volume production ahead of FAT and the Netherlands field trials.
Deployment of the first systems will give Altech its first full operational dataset in Europe, including real-world cycling behaviour, temperature response, long-duration backup performance and SCADA integration. The company expects these results to be central to broader adoption across heavy-industry, energy and utility networks.
Strategic entry point for broader EU rollout
Altech views the Netherlands as an ideal starting point for wider EU commercialisation, citing the country’s advanced infrastructure, strong regulatory frameworks and emphasis on operational reliability. Success across the five trial locations is expected to support expansion into other European markets.
Altech managing director Iggy Tan hailed the “major achievement” for Altech’s engineering team and its partnership with AMPower.
“Completing the final design shifts the program from development into real-world deployment, and the upcoming FAT in mid-March 2026 will be a pivotal moment, and the upcoming FAT in mid-March 2026 will be a pivotal moment,” he said.
“With five Dutch sites preparing to receive the first systems, we are now entering an important proving phase that will demonstrate the performance, safety, and reliability advantages of our SNC UPS technology. The level of interest across Europe continues to exceed our expectations, and this milestone positions us strongly for large-scale commercial uptake.”