Elinor Batteries hires VP of Technology
One of the country's leading battery technologists, Fengliu Lou, steps in as VP Technology at Elinor Batteries. With this hiring, Elinor Batteries has secured a technology leader with a unique combination of academic depth and experience in commercial development of batteries.
NEW EMPLOYEE: Fengliu Lou is the new technology director at Elinor Batteries. Photo: Geir Mogen
“Norway can play a crucial role in driving the global electrification and energy transition by successfully commercializing the production of sustainable battery cells, and in my opinion, Elinor Batteries has the best prerequisites to succeed internationally. I look forward to contributing my expertise as the technology director in the company," says Fengliu Lou.
The CEO of Elinor Batteries, Arne Fredrik Lånke, is very pleased with the new addition to the Elinor-team.
"Fengliu Lou is the person I know in Norway who has the deepest competence and understanding of how to design modern lithium batteries, at the same time as he has worked with commercialization and product development towards a global market since the early days of the Norwegian battery industry. Therefore, he has a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed internationally. He will be a key figure in the development of Elinor Batteries going forward," says Lånke.
Unique experience
Fengliu Lou starts as the technology director at Elinor Batteries on November 1, 2023. He comes from the position as the leader of research and development at Beyonder, a Norwegian battery technology company, and he has more than 15 years of experience with lithium-ion batteries, product development, and design of production processes.
"He brings specialized expertise in a technology area that is crucial for us. With his background, a PhD from NTNU, he knows the technology arena in Trondheim well, which will be very helpful as we work closely with SINTEF and NTNU. He will also be key to the recruitment of professionals going forward, as we know that the best talents often want to work with leaders who have the unique combination of academic depth and industrial experience that Fengliu brings," says Lånke.
Elinor Batteries plans build a battery factory in Orkland municipality, outside Trondheim. The battery factory will be established in Eiktyr Industrial Park, a large industrial area planned outside of Orkanger. Here, Elinor Batteries will produce batteries for stationary energy storage, a market that is growing tremendously internationally in the wake of comprehensive electrification and renewable construction all over the world.
"Three good reasons"
Fengliu believes there are three reasons why Elinor Batteries has a good chance of succeeding internationally.
"The first involves geography and location. The location in Central Norway ensures both low electricity prices and a safe and stable supply of renewable energy, and with Trondheim's heavy research and competence environments nearby, recruiting highly educated labor will be easier than for others. The climate in the region ensures lower temperatures and humidity, which also means that energy consumption will be lower than in other projects," Fengliu explains.
"The next two reasons concern who is behind Elinor. Our owner is the experienced investment company Valinor, which is a security in a capital-intensive industry such as the production of lithium-ion batteries. At the same time, Valinor has a broad portfolio of successful investments in various renewable industries, and the understanding they have of both the market and what future customers will demand gives us a very solid foundation," summarizes the new CTO.
From Orkland to Asia
Arne Fredrik Lånke says the developments in Elinor Batteries are now progressing rapidly, with activities ranging from Orkanger via Europe to Asia.
"We have traveled a lot to meet potential partners, both in Europe and Asia, and there is a great interest in our unique offer," says Lånke, and continues:
"It represents a tremendous opportunity, but we need to be quick. Therefore, it is so crucial that we manage to keep the pace up. Recruiting key personnel like Fengliu Lou is part of this picture," says Lånke.