The Bonn-based start-up company High Performance Battery has achieved what is believed to be a significant breakthrough in battery and storage technology. A team led by prof. Dr Günther Hambitzer has developed the world's first solid-state battery, with what are said to be outstanding properties, to series production readiness. Its advantages are mainly that no cobalt is required, it has a 10 times longer service life and its electrolyte is non-flammable. Applications range from stationary storage for home and industrial use to charging infrastructures and the mobility segment – such as the automotive industry.
The data and properties measured so far show significantly better values and characteristics compared to the currently dominant lithium-ion batteries. For longevity – conventional lithium-ion batteries have to be replaced after about 1250 charging cycles of hourly charging and discharging while the HPB battery can take at least 12500 charging cycles at a comparable load, and is still going strong. For safety – the HPB electrolyte is non-flammable and therefore safer than the inflammable liquid electrolytes of conventional lithium-ion batteries. In terms of sustainability, the HPB shows a 50 % better environmental balance compared to current lithium-ion technology.
For the automotive industry HPB offers a safe, robust and outstandingly conductive HPB solid-state electrolyte. In terms of conductivity, compared to the liquid electrolytes commonly used today, the HPB solid-state electrolyte has an enormously improved conductivity. The HPB shows higher conductivity at -40 °C than conventional liquid electrolytes show at their optimum 60 °C. These properties have been confirmed by independent partners and research institutes in the temperature range from minus 40 °C to plus 60 °C. This ensures that sufficient power is available even at extreme temperatures, eliminating the need to preheat the batteries in winter.
With the global annual demand for storage, 180 GWh in 2018, expected to exceed 2000 GWh by 2030, the longevity and long service life provides a financially attractive approach compared to conventional lithium-ion technology.
HPB is in contact with a number of potential licensees. Interest is high – the company is holding intensive talks in Germany, Europe and India. And a gigafactory to cover the Swiss market is already being planned.
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