Author name: Gerrit Bockey

SVOLT Energy Technology is considering building an additional battery cell production facility, with Finland being considered one of several potential locations inside and outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The selection of Finland as a candidate for this expansion is based on significant raw material reserves, an environmentally friendly energy infrastructure, and a sustainable supply chain for the battery industry. The potential site is expected to have a total capacity of approximately 50-gigawatt hours. The planned battery cell factory is expected to be a key component of SVOLT’s site strategy, which requires continuous adaptation to changing market conditions. As part of this strategy, other potential sites in addition to Finland are currently under review. Kai-Uwe Wollenhaupt explained, “Various factors play a role in the decision-making process for new sites, including competitive infrastructure and possible subsidies, which are integral parts of the final selection process.” SVOLT is currently building two battery cell production facilities in Europe. Both sites are located in Germany. In the final development phase, combined production will be able to increase to 40 gigawatt-hours. SVOLT has announced plans to expand European capacity further and increase total capacity to at least 50 gigawatt-hours. Source: https://www.svolt-eu.com/en/press/svolt-considering-construction-of-another-battery-cell-factory-with-50-gwh-capacity/

The German Bundestag’s budget committee has approved an additional 600 million euros for the siting of a battery factory by the Swedish company Northvolt. It concerns a convertible bond subject to repayment, which will be paid out by KfW Bank and for which the federal government will assume liability, announced parliament members Felix Banaszak and Bruno Hönel. The planned Northvolt Drei battery factory in Heide was announced in March 2022. Accordingly, construction should begin in 2025, with 3,000 jobs to be created in the final phase. The production capacity is 60 gigawatt hours, which should be enough for one million electric cars. In addition to battery production, Northvolt also aims to have a battery recycling plant on site. Less than two months later, in May 2022, the company received the IPCEI funding notice. According to the funding notice, Germany is supporting Northvolt with more than 155 million euros. Of that, 70 percent, or about 108 million euros, comes from the federal budget, while 30 percent, or about 46 million euros, is contributed by the state of Schleswig-Holstein. That was the maximum approved by the EU, Habeck said at the time. The convertible bond secured by the federal government is intended to support the project beyond the 155 million euros in funding. The funding is to be based on the EU’s new Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF). Therefore, the EU Commission still has to approve the funding. If this is the case, the TCTF will be applied in Germany for the first time. Source: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/energie-berlin-bundestag-zusaetzliche-millionen-fuer-northvolt-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-231019-99-626184

Tesla has converted production at Giga Texas to 4680 next-generation battery cells. These cells have a ten percent higher energy capacity compared to the previous generation used in the Model Y. The company intends to fully transition to manufacturing these new cells by the end of 2023 and have four battery production lines up and running at Giga Texas by mid-2024. Management reported that production of the 4680 cells at Gigafactory Texas increased by 40 percent compared to the previous quarter. Recently, Tesla reported that the first line of the new factory produced its 20-millionth cell, which happened within less than four months of reaching the ten-million mark. The Texas Gigafactory now serves as the main site for production of the 4680 battery cells, with scrap down 40 percent from the previous quarter. Tesla emphasized, however, that despite these successes, much work remains to be done to meet steady-state goals, which is a top priority. In addition to the improvements at the Texas Gigafactory, Tesla is also upgrading its battery production line in Fremont, California. The company has announced that the Kato Road line is now being retooled for large-scale manufacturing of next-generation battery cells. In the long term, this line will serve as a base and will be a generation ahead of cells produced at other Tesla plants. Source: https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/tesla-accelerates-production-of-next-gen-4680-battery-cells-for-cybertruck-at-giga-texas-aiming-for-100-conversion-by-the-end-of-the-year/?utm_content=cmp-true

The new owners of bankrupt Britishvolt intend to use the Northumberland site to supply batteries to the Australian military. The planned manufacturing facility will not produce batteries for the mass market for now, but it aims to create thousands of jobs in the northeast of England in the near future. Recharge Industries, an Australian company, acquired Britishvolt following its bankruptcy earlier this year. Since then, Recharge has been negotiating with insolvency administrator EY to secure use of the site near Blyth. EY has not yet issued an official statement, but people familiar with the matter say an agreement is imminent. Securing the site marks a crucial initial step in Recharge’s plan to produce batteries for military, heavy commercial, and stationary storage applications. Australian energy company EDEA has also been in talks with Recharge to produce batteries for Australian military vehicles. However, according to BBC reports, members of Northumberland County Council still have doubts about Recharge’s ability to realize the multibillion-dollar facility. If no significant progress is made on-site development by December 2024, the option exists to buy back that site. Britishvolt collapsed in January because its previous owners failed to secure government funding, which Recharge Industries says is not needed. Still, it is Recharge Industries, a start-up with limited battery manufacturing experience. Recharge Industries, the new owner of bankrupt Britishvolt intends to use the Northumberland site to supply batteries to the Australian military. The planned manufacturing facility will not produce batteries for the mass market for the time being, but the aim is to create thousands of jobs in the northeast of England in the near future. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67149907

Swedish automaker Volvo Cars is cooperating with domestic renewable energy developer Eolus on the Västvind offshore wind power project off the coast of Gothenburg. The aim of the partnership is to supply electricity to the joint battery factory with Northvolt in Gothenburg and Volvo Cars in Hisingen. Offshore wind power is the only energy source that can deliver the required amount of new electricity generation in the region by 2030. Western Sweden’s ambitions to become a center for battery manufacturing, electrified vehicles, and climate-friendly port logistics require a significant increase in regional renewable energy. In this respect, Västvind can be crucial, explains Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus. Other automakers are also pursuing similar plans. Mercedes-Benz plans to meet a quarter of its German electricity needs from offshore wind energy from 2027 and aims to source 70 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. Västra Götaland currently has a shortage of electricity generation, and demand is expected to double by 2030. The Västvind wind power project has the potential to generate 4 to 4.5 terawatt hours of renewable electricity annually, which is equivalent to the current demand of the entire city of Gothenburg. Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2029. Eolus has a 95 percent stake in the project, while the Gothenburg Port Authority owns the remaining 5 percent. Source: https://splash247.com/volvo-signs-up-for-offshore-wind-power/