Elinor Batteries and SINTEF: Starting production of the first batteries in Trondheim
Elinor Batteries' battery initiative in Trøndelag is progressing at full speed. Production and testing of the company's first batteries is set to begin in collaboration with SINTEF.
EXCITED: Arne Fredrik Lånke from Elinor Batteries (center) with senior researcher Paul Inge Dahl (left) and research director Rune Bredesen at SINTEF's battery lab in Trondheim.
"This is the first step of showing that we can produce such batteries here in Central Norway. It is a significant milestone for us and everyone working to establish a battery industry in Central Norway," says Arne Fredrik Lånke, CEO of Elinor Batteries.
Elinor has signed an agreement with SINTEF that ensures production and testing of batteries will start in SINTEF's newly established battery lab in Trondheim. The first batteries will be ready by this autumn.
"We are very pleased that Elinor Batteries has chosen to collaborate with SINTEF to establish battery production in Trøndelag. By using our new pilot line for battery cell production, Elinor can efficiently test and adapt their production process on a smaller scale before moving on to industrial production. SINTEF will contribute its extensive battery expertise, and with Elinor, we hope to contribute to many innovations for the company," says Rune Bredesen, Research Director at SINTEF.
SIGNED: Arne Fredrik Lånke from Elinor Batteries and Rune Bredesen from SINTEF have agreed to start test production of batteries in the near future.
"Speed is crucial"
Elinor Batteries is the company planning to build a battery factory in Orkland municipality. The battery factory will be established in Eiktyr Industrial Park, a large industrial area intended to be built outside Orkanger, which is currently under review by Orkland municipality.
In Eiktyr Industrial Park, Elinor Batteries will produce batteries for stationary energy storage. The demand for such batteries will grow rapidly in the coming years, following extensive electrification and renewable energy development worldwide.
Elinor particularly targets the European market, where demand for solutions to store electrical energy has exploded.
"This represents a huge opportunity, but we must act quickly. That's why it's crucial that we maintain our pace, as we are doing now," says Lånke. "We are investing significant resources in this."
Production and testing
In SINTEF's battery lab, extensive production and testing of batteries are now being prepared. One of the key aspects is testing materials from various suppliers that will be used in the batteries, but the formula and performance will also be tested. The work will contribute to Trondheim's battery environment gaining valuable experience with battery production while Elinor quality-tests batteries until they have satisfactorily finished product samples.
"The expertise at SINTEF is one of several advantages in the region. The fact that SINTEF has come so far and established a battery laboratory gives us a good opportunity to enter the market quickly," says Lånke.
TESTING: The battery-lab’s work is a valuable contribution to Trondheim's battery cluster.
From Orkland to Asia
Arne Fredrik Lånke says that development at Elinor Batteries is moving at full speed on all fronts, involving activities ranging from Orkanger to Asia.
In Orkland municipality, Eiktyr Industrial Park plan process is underway. At the same time, the drilling rig is investigating soil conditions as the factory building is being planned. Elinor Batteries is now in contact with many potential partners from various continents.
"We have travelled a lot to meet potential partners, both in Europe and Asia, and we see great interest in what we can offer," Lånke explains, and continues:
"The signals from those we meet are that Europe is strategically important, and they want to gain a foothold in countries with the prerequisites for battery production. Norway is ranked at the very top among countries in Europe and the world in terms of opportunities for battery production."
Unique opportunity
In this respect, the Central Norwegian battery initiative stands out.
"We have low electricity prices, abundant renewable energy, and research and expertise environments in Trondheim to support us. We have a strong labour market region, and we have an area large enough to establish circular and sustainable solutions for logistics and recycling of batteries in connection with the factory."
This collaboration and co-location of various players and links in the battery value chain is something many have pointed out as important for success in a Norwegian battery industry.
"In Central Norway, we have excellent conditions for achieving this. The fact that we are now starting production and testing of batteries together with SINTEF is just another proof that this is a unique opportunity," concludes Lånke.