Author name: Cornelius Karow

CATL and German energy storage provider Intilion plan to install sodium-ion energy storage systems with a total capacity of 3 gigawatt-hours in Europe over five years. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding covering projects in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other markets. The projects will use Tener Sodium systems for grid-scale, commercial, and industrial applications. Sodium-Ion Storage for Low Temperatures According to CATL, Tener Sodium is designed for European winter conditions. The manufacturer specifies a cycle life of more than 15,000 cycles and 25 years of stable operation. The system is also said to maintain high discharge power at minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit). CATL introduced Tener Sodium on June 22. According to the manufacturer, its dimensions are also compatible with lithium-ion batteries. The design is intended to make it easier to choose between battery technologies and reduce exposure to fluctuating lithium prices. Additional Storage Projects Planned in Europe The agreement expands an existing partnership. According to CATL, the companies have completed more than 30 storage projects in Germany since 2022. They now aim to expand the use of both sodium-ion and lithium-ion technology in Europe. In July, CATL signed a memorandum of understanding with Alfen for 5 GWh of sodium-ion storage in Western Europe, starting in 2027. It also signed a cooperation agreement with Solarpro covering 2 GWh. Sources:https://cnevpost.com/2026/10/28/catl-intilion-3-gwh-sodium-ion-storage/https://x.com/catl_official/status/2115073852313096241

LG Energy Solution and renewable energy producer Energix plan to jointly pursue potential battery storage projects in Europe and the United States. A nonbinding memorandum of understanding outlines plans to explore supplying approximately 2 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity over the next 24 months. The companies are also discussing an increase to around 4.5 GWh. The agreement does not establish binding supply commitments at this stage. According to LG Energy Solution, the initial volume would comprise 1.5 GWh for Europe and 0.5 GWh for the United States. An expansion would bring the totals to 3 GWh for Europe and 1.5 GWh for North America. Supply would come through LG Energy Solution’s European and U.S. operations. Battery Storage for Energix’s Project Pipeline The collaboration aims to combine LG Energy Solution’s storage solutions with Energix’s project development capabilities. Energix develops, owns, and operates renewable energy and energy storage facilities. The company’s long-term goal is a global portfolio exceeding 8 GW. Both partners plan to regularly review additional opportunities within the project pipeline. Previous Projects in Poland and Lithuania LG Energy Solution has already supplied battery solutions for Energix’s Nowe Czarnowo project in Poland. Discussions are also underway regarding collaboration on the Jonava hybrid project in Lithuania. The project includes approximately 320 MWh of planned storage capacity. Commercial operations are targeted to begin in 2027. Source:https://news.lgensol.com/company-news/press-releases/5499/

Samsung SDI has signed another supply agreement with U.S. energy storage developer and power producer Alpha Omega Power (AOP). The agreement covers battery storage systems with a capacity of one gigawatt-hour. Combined with a contract signed in late 2025, the total agreed capacity reaches 1.5 GWh. Samsung SDI did not disclose financial details. AOP plans to use the battery storage systems for large-scale power projects in the United States. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027. U.S.-Made Battery Storage Systems Under the new agreement, Samsung SDI will supply its integrated Samsung Battery Box (SBB) 1.7 energy storage system. All cells and modules are to be manufactured at the StarPlus Energy plant in Kokomo, Indiana. According to Samsung SDI, delivery is scheduled by the end of 2026. The system uses prismatic battery cells with high-nickel nickel cobalt aluminum chemistry. According to the manufacturer, its energy density is 17 percent higher than that of its predecessor, SBB 1.5. Samsung SDI says the system is designed for 25 years of continuous operation. Artificial intelligence algorithms are intended to detect anomalies early and predict battery life. For fire protection, Samsung SDI also uses technology that injects fire-extinguishing agents directly into individual battery modules. Source:https://www.samsungsdi.com/sdi-now/sdi-news/5062.html

The U.S. battery developer QuantumScape plans to build a 100-megawatt-hour solid-state battery production line. The cells are intended for use in markets including AI data centers, aerospace, and defense. Production is expected to begin in 2028. Germany’s Mühlbauer Group will supply the cell assembly equipment. The new line will build on the manufacturing processes and experience gained from the existing Eagle Line pilot facility. Mühlbauer evaluated its processes in San Jose and developed modifications for higher production volumes. According to QuantumScape, engineering work on processes and equipment for higher throughput is already underway. Eagle Line Provides Experience From Pilot Production QuantumScape inaugurated the highly automated Eagle Line in San Jose on February 4, 2026. The line incorporates the “Cobra process” for manufacturing the company’s proprietary separator. According to the company, the pilot line is currently producing cells and supplying customer samples. The line also supports testing, product integration trials, and the further development of manufacturing processes. It is intended to serve as a blueprint for licensing partners’ future gigawatt-hour factories. QuantumScape’s lithium-metal technology is designed to enable higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety. For the QSE-5 cell type manufactured on the Eagle Line, the company reports energy densities of 844 Wh/L and 301 Wh/kg. These figures were measured on earlier B-sample cells at 25°C using a five-hour discharge. Sources:https://ir.quantumscape.com/news-releases/news-release-details/quantumscape-announces-plans-100-mwh-solid-state-batteryhttps://www.quantumscape.com/quantumscape-inaugurates-eagle-line-for-solid-state-battery-pilot-production/https://www.quantumscape.com/battery-technology/#qse-5

General Motors is closing its Brownstown Battery Assembly plant in the Detroit area. According to the company, production will move to other nearby GM facilities. Automotive News reports that the plant is scheduled to shut down by next summer, when its lease expires. The plant, which opened in 2009, produced high-voltage batteries for the Cadillac Celestiq and Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray. It also manufactured drive units for the electrified Corvette. Fewer Workers and Shifting Priorities at GM Fewer than a dozen employees remain at the plant, down from around 300 at its peak. GM scaled back production after demand fell short of expectations. Affected workers were notified earlier this year and offered jobs at other facilities in the area. The closure is part of a broader shift in strategy. GM continues to build electric vehicles but is putting more emphasis on gas-powered models again. The change in its powertrain strategy has come with billions of dollars in losses. The company is also pulling back from battery projects. Earlier this year, GM handed full control of a joint plant project in Indiana to its partner Samsung SDI. In 2024, it withdrew from a battery project in Lansing, leaving LG Energy Solution in charge. Source:https://insideevs.com/news/812603/gm-brownstown-ev-battery-plant-closure/

French battery manufacturer Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, is opening new production lines for solid-state batteries at its Bordeaux site. The company aims to support electrification in the aviation and space sectors. According to Saft, it is the first French manufacturer capable of developing and producing solid-state batteries with both sulfide and polymer electrolytes for operation at room temperature. The new facilities are intended to turn several years of research into industrial production. The company has not disclosed production capacity or further timelines. Higher Energy Density and Lower Emissions Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid material. According to Saft, this improves cell safety. Energy density is also said to be up to 50 percent higher than that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. Saft uses a dry electrode manufacturing process. According to the company, this can reduce CO₂ emissions from that production step by up to 40 percent. However, this figure does not indicate the overall emissions footprint of battery production. First Cells Delivered for Aviation Testing Saft has already delivered semi-solid-state battery cells for evaluating future electric and hybrid aircraft concepts. According to Saft, safety, performance, and energy density are particularly relevant to aviation and space applications. The company also reports interest from the space industry. Source:https://saft.com/en/media-resources/press-release/saft-launches-production-frances-first-solid-state-batteries

South Korean battery contract manufacturer JR Energy Solution (JRES) and European battery cell manufacturer Automotive Cells Company (ACC) are exploring cooperation in electrode manufacturing in Europe. The proposed arrangement could allow JRES to use ACC’s manufacturing capacity in Nersac, France, for future customer orders. Nersac as a Potential Manufacturing Site According to the companies, the initiative targets battery customers seeking manufacturing capacity closer to their Western operations. JRES plans to assess how Nersac could complement its production and supply network. This could lead to orders for customers in Europe, Korea, and North America. As a pilot and industrial center, Nersac connects product and process development with industrial-scale manufacturing. According to ACC, the site has already produced electrodes that meet automotive industry quality requirements. The proposed cooperation would complement existing development, testing, and industrial activities while making use of available capacity. Implementation Remains Subject to Conditions Any joint manufacturing activities would first depend on successful technical assessments and quality qualification. The two companies would then need to negotiate binding agreements. Internal and regulatory approvals may also be required. The memorandum of understanding also provides a framework for discussions on broader cooperation in battery manufacturing. Source:https://www.acc-emotion.com/node/3975

BMW began series production of its Gen 6 high-voltage batteries in Shenyang on October 15. The batteries will initially power the Neue Klasse iX3 and i3 models for the Chinese market. The first deliveries of the long-wheelbase iX3 for China are scheduled for November. Shenyang Becomes Third Gen 6 Battery Production Site The battery project in Liaoning province involves an investment of 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.5 billion). Construction began in May 2023. Following Debrecen, Hungary, and Ilbach-Straßkirchen, Germany, Shenyang is the third location in the global Gen 6 battery production network. The technology combines large cylindrical cells, an 800-volt architecture, and sixth-generation electric drive technology. According to BMW, the start of battery production means all three core components of this drive system are now manufactured in China. Trial production of the Energy Master began in Shenyang in late September. The unit serves as the central controller for Gen 6 batteries. BMW says it developed both the hardware and software in-house. Neue Klasse in China: Batteries for the iX3 and i3 The long-wheelbase iX3, developed exclusively for China, has been available for preorder since August 21. Deliveries are set to begin in November. The i3 50L sedan was also developed as a long-wheelbase model for the Chinese market. Alongside the production launch, BMW reported that the i3 50L had traveled 1,213 kilometers without recharging. The test vehicle had a 113.4-kWh battery and reached its destination with a 1% charge remaining. Sources:https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/deutschland/article/detail/T0461769DE/bmw-group-startet-serienproduktion-von-gen6-hochvoltbatterien-in-shenyanghttps://cnevpost.com/2026/10/15/bmw-starts-gen-6-battery-production-china/