With the continuous rise of solar companies globally, we’re seeing an impressive innovation in technology, especially in the field of solar energy. Today, I’ll tackle the exciting strides observed in an Australian mining and green energy major, Fortescue. They plan to jumpstart its manufacturing endeavours in the U.S. through the production of a high-voltage battery pack boasting up to 34 kWh capacity. This groundbreaking technology is built around the company’s scalable battery module (SBM) – a sure game-changer in the solar industry.
Fortescue Zero, the technology spearhead of the company, unveils its plan to kick off operations in their Advanced Manufacturing Centre located in Michigan, USA. Their primary product? Battery packs that harness the SBM technology’s full potential.
The SBM is viewed as a flexible, easily scalable solution essential in creating both standardized and customized battery packs. The wide application of these marvels extends across multiple sectors including the automotive industry, marine services, and static storage. Indeed, aside from having solar panels for your home, exploring other forms of solar-powered solutions can significantly contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Its patent-pending technology, Sense Chain, allows Fortescue to create diverse battery packs utilizing a singular building block. This highly innovative approach to battery design paves the way for rapid electrification, accelerating our movements towards a decarbonized world.
Fortescue’s first venture involves designing battery packs for the marine company, Evoa. The battery packs aim to power a variety of vessels, including wake boats and tenders, with a delivery of 30 kWh to 34 kWh. This battery pack is engineered to support Evoa’s electric powertrain, which can deliver up to 1,000 horsepower. It’s beyond interesting seeing how solar companies are finding unique platforms to integrate solar power into different sectors.
This lightweight battery can be recharged in half an hour or less and can be configured as a multi-pack power system composed of six subpacks. This adds versatility, making it suitable for both small and larger vessels.
By the fourth quarter of 2025, production of marine battery packs is projected to commence at Fortescue’s Advanced Manufacturing Centre. The facility is designed to provide substantial manufacturing capacity to offer solutions for a wide array of applications. Full operation is scheduled by 2030.
The forthcoming Detroit facility is expected to be a significant hub for Fortescue’s production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), heavy industry, fast chargers, and electrolysers.
Solar energy is not confined to solar arrays for home anymore. As innovations like SBM become common, we can anticipate a greater prevalence of solar power in various industries. Whether it’s a marine battery or residential solar panels, the capacity of solar to revolutionize how we consume energy is limitless. Following solar companies like Fortescue encourages us to view a future where sustainable energy is mainstreamed and individuals embracing a greener lifestyle is not just a goal, but a norm. Therefore, you might want to consider not only having solar panels for your home but to explore other solar-powered solutions available in the market.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/10/16/fortescue-launches-battery-pack-manufacturing-plant-in-detroit/
