US-headquartered energy storage manufacturing startup KORE Power has announced that its supply partner in China has resumed operations in mid-march “and is presently working to meet KORE Power’s customer orders”. The company is partnered with Do-Fluoride Chemicals Co., Ltd. which develops, produces and sells cryolite, aluminum fluoride and inorganic fluoride compound products; the company’s products include anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, industrial hydrofluric acid, ammonium bifluoride, and potassium fluoride.
KORE Power has designed a 110.7kWh battery storage rack based around high-power nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells. Launch of the rack, branded “Mark 1”, is scheduled for the second quarter of this year.
KORE Power also announced that its Mark 1™ battery cells have passed the following testing and factory audit requirements. KORE Power remains on course to fulfill global customer orders for Mark 1™ battery cells this quarter.
• UN 38.3; Requirements for Transportation of Batteries Containing Lithium
• UL 1973; Batteries for Use in Stationary, Vehicle Auxiliary Power and LER Applications
• IEC 62619; Secondary Cells and Batteries Containing Alkaline or Other Non-acid Electrolytes – Safety Requirements for Secondary Lithium Cells and Batteries, for use in Industrial Applications
According to the company, KORE Power will now focus its efforts on evaluating the Mark 1™ module and rack, in order to conform to UL 1973, UL 1998, UL 991, UN 38.3, and IEC 62619. These tests are related to battery usage in stationary energy storage, the battery management software and transportation of lithium-ion batteries.
Targeting to commence in April 2020, KORE Power is in the final stage to select an accredited certification body or laboratory to complete testing of the Mark 1™ module and rack per UL 9540A; Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems, which helps manufacturers prove compliance with the latest regulations for fire safety and building codes. The Company will also begin shipping modules and racks that do not require UL 9540A to regions including the U.S., Europe, India and Australia. The first shipments will be to existing customers and partners, which will enable them to begin testing the Mark 1™ cells, modules and racks for stationary energy storage applications.
“Successful completion of this first round of product certification testing represents a major growth milestone for KORE Power. We’ve promoted the safety, efficacy and density of KORE Power’s Mark 1™ battery cell, and now we’re able to prove these benefits and fulfill orders for Mark 1™ battery cell for integration into large scale energy storage systems across the globe,” said Lindsay Gorrill, CEO of KORE Power. “Further, we recognize the importance of UL 9540A testing, particularly with the industry’s push and efforts to enhance safety around battery technologies. We’re pleased to be a part of the industry’s shift to supply safer battery products.”