Mathias Winther Thorsen (Battery systems engineer, ECO STOR) – Making second life energy storage safe and viable, status and future outlook
Bio
Mathias Winther Thorsen is a Battery Systems Engineer at ECO STOR. Key responsibilities are identifying and integrating suitable battery types, battery testing, proper handling through the second life as well as legislative and safety related issues. He has over three years of experience from the battery industry, including development of marine battery systems.
Abstract
Today’s second life BESS market is immature, with little control and knowledge and many small players, including hobbyists. Safety is lacking in several parts of the value chain, and responsibility is fragmented. Building a knowledge-based value chain with data and traceability is necessary to grow the market, as a growth on today’s foundation could lead to large incidents and damages. Large battery related incidents often get significant media attention and may lead to a general perception that batteries are inherently dangerous. At ECO STOR, we work with utilizing the inherent safety of EV battery packs, including quality control and documentation throughout the battery life to significantly lower the risk of second life battery systems.
Andy Naylor (Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University) – Probing interfacial reactions in sustainable rechargeable batteries
Bio
Dr. Andy Naylor is a researcher at the Department of Chemistry – Ångström and the Ångström Advanced Battery Centre at Uppsala University. In 2022, Andy was appointed as Docent (‘Associate Professor’) with specialisation in materials chemistry. Following PhD studies in Chemistry at the University of Southampton, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of St Andrews and University of Oxford. Andy now leads several projects studying battery interfaces, principally in the development of next-generation technologies. Particular emphasis is put on employing surface analysis characterisation techniques, especially for the investigation of new materials and electrolytes.
Abstract
With the large quantity of lithium-ion batteries needed to achieve electrification, particularly in the transport sector, there is quite rightly concern about realising this goal sustainably. There are numerous strategies to producing rechargeable batteries with greater sustainable, many of which begin at the materials level. Possibilities for using cobalt-free cathodes, safer non-flammable electrolytes, and the replacement of lithium with, for example sodium or potassium, will be considered. However, replacement with new materials comes with additional challenges, primarily concerning interfacial reactions between the electrodes and electrolyte. Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) using synchrotron radiation is demonstrated as a highly suitable technique for probing interfacial reactions, in order to determine surface layer composition and metal oxidation states. Correlation of HAXPES data with electrochemical cycling performance results in a greater understanding of battery ageing mechanisms and informs strategies to stabilise interfaces in batteries where novel materials are employed.
Halvor Høen Hval (Morrow Batteries) – A sneak peek into Morrow and the technology of tomorrow
Bio
Halvor Høen Hval has worked 1.5 years as a Research Scientist in Morrow Batteries, focusing on the LNMO-XNO technology. Simultaneously he is a PhD-fellow at University of Oslo, researching LNMO with the eyes of a material’s chemist. Through his PhD-work he has been part of the MoZEES-consortium since 2018. He is an award-winning popular scientific presenter, and likes to think he knows all the capitals in the world.
Abstract
The battery industry of Norway is growing at a high pace, and this presentation will show this from Morrow Batteries’ point of view. What is Morrow Batteries? Who are we, and what are our plans? A lot has happened since the last annual meeting, and the company is no longer only on Power Points. To highlight this, the talk will focus on one of the products, namely the LNMO-XNO cell. This could potentially revolutionize the industry, and it exemplifies how Morrow wants to develop and manufacture the most cost-effective and sustainable battery cells in the world.
Hanne F. Andersen (IFE) and Ingeborg Kaus (SINTEF) – NABLA: Battery Cell fabrication research infrastructure
Bio
Hanne Flåten Andersen is the research manager of the Battery Technology department at IFE, and in addition the coordinator of the NABLA infrastructure. She has over 15 years of experience from the battery research field and has a background in lithium-ion batteries from her PhD studies in Germany.
Ingeborg Kaus holds a PhD from 1998 from University of Missouri-Rolla in the US, and has a long track record from the industry and the R&D sector related to material science. Ingeborg is the research manager for the Batteries and Hydrogen Technology group in SINTEF Industry, which also hosts the Nabla manufacturing line at SINTEF.
Abstract
NABLA is the Norwegian Advanced Battery Laboratory Infrastructure. It is a newly funded national infrastructure that is currently being built up by the 5 research partners; IFE, SINTEF, UiO, NTNU and UiA. The infrastructure has been awarded 100 MNOK from the Norwegian Research Council and will be fully functional by 2024. The aim of NABLA is to fill the gap between the current RnD level and the needed level for attracting industry and international partners within battery research.
Martin Kirkengen (CTO, CENATE AS) – Innovative Silicon-based anode materials for high-capacity Li-ion Batteries
Abstract
Cenate (short for ‘Centrifuge Nano Technology’) is a Norwegian company developing battery materials. From a competence base in the Norwegian silicon solar cell industry, Cenate has developed materials and processes based on using silane gas to tailor silicon based materials for battery applications. Starting from insights about the degradation mechanisms of silicon, Cenate developed a silicon nano-powder that contains tailor-made and effective degradation barriers. This nano-powder has now surpassed initial technical requirements and is in qualification runs at commercial customers capable of utilizing such powder. Cenate is also working on a graphite drop-in replacement product where we wrap the nanopowder in protective coatings, to minimize surface areas and thereby improve the First Cycle Efficiency. The talk will give a brief glance at some of the key parameters required in an industrial anode material, and how these challenges are often ignored in academic publications.
Marcus Martinsson (Product area manager batteries, Stena Recycling Group) – Industrial recycling of lithium ion batteries
Bio
Martinsson is a former officer from the Swedish army, started in the Norwegian recycling industry 2006 and has since worked in broad parts of the recycling industry and since 2015 for Stena Recycling. Currently heading Stena Recycling groups battery recycling effort.
Abstract
The Swift electrification of the society will result in an increasing need of compliant end of life services through a wide array of battery related materials at an industrial scale. Stena Recycling group is investering heavy in this field, aiming at becomming an industrial circularity partner for our existing and future OEMs. Utilizing the collective experience from our 6 million ton/a portfolio we belive we have the competence and know-how provide compliant, effective and sustainable services.
Johan Fridner (Hydro) – Hydro Battery Assets and Strategic Direction
Bio
Dr. Johan Fridner (form. Scheers) is working with battery technology at Hydro since 2021. Johan’s main responsibilities include screening for attractive technologies along the battery value chain, drive technical due diligence in relation to investment opportunities, coordinate Hydro’s involvement in R&D and technical development, build relevant networks for future activities, and support the overall strategic direction of the Hydro Batteries business unit. Johan’s previous experiences include the role as battery cell component owner at Volvo Cars from 2016 to 2021 and an academic career as battery material researcher 2006-2016 culminating with an Assistant Prof. position at Chalmers University of Technology.
Abstract
Hydro is expanding beyond its core Aluminum and Hydro power business with investments in New Energy: Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen and Batteries. The Hydro Batteries business unit has built the first few positions of Hydro in the battery value chain through partnerships in maritime battery systems solutions (Corvus Energy), Li-ion battery recycling (Hydrovolt) and synthetic graphite anode production (Vianode). This presentation will provide a background to Hydro’s contributions to the aforementioned assets and an introduction to some of the key strategic activities and goals for Hydro Batteries.