In a noteworthy stride towards advancing battery technologies, Jiangxi Judian New Energy Technology Co Ltd, a relatively lesser-known entity, marked a significant milestone by initiating a substantial 10 GWh annual capacity solid-state lithium battery project in Ganzhou, Jiangxi.
Shenzhen Fuxin Industrial Technology Co Ltd, the controlling shareholder of Jiangxi Judian, unveiled this pivotal development in an official announcement on August 8. The project’s comprehensive scope is underpinned by an impressive total investment of RMB 10 billion ($1.3 billion), earmarked for the production of solid-state battery cells, pack systems, and energy storage systems.
The undertaking has been thoughtfully segmented into two distinct phases. The primary phase, with an investment outlay of RMB 1.68 billion, is set to accommodate an annual capacity of 2 GWh for solid-state battery cells and an additional 2 GWh for pack systems.
Encompassing a sprawling land area of around 600 mu (equivalent to 0.4 square kilometers), the project allocation designates approximately 320 mu for the inaugural phase. This phase is projected to include a substantial building area of 72,000 square meters, as detailed in the official statement.
It is worth noting that the announcement furnished limited specifics, refraining from divulging intricate details about the newly developed solid-state battery technology itself.
Shenzhen Fuxin, established in 2019, has emerged as a pivotal provider of energy storage systems. Intriguingly, it holds an indirect stake in Jiangxi Judian.
Currently, the domain of new energy vehicles (NEVs) predominantly relies on liquid lithium batteries. However, the foreseeable challenges associated with energy density have propelled the industry’s interest towards solid-state battery technologies. These innovative solutions are hailed as having the potential to surmount the existing energy density limitations.
The spotlight on solid-state batteries intensified when Nio introduced the Nio ET7, its flagship sedan, during the Nio Day 2020 event held on January 9, 2021. This unveiling included a groundbreaking 150-kWh semi-solid-state battery, touted to confer a remarkable vehicle range exceeding 1,000 kilometers.
Following this watershed moment, the realm of solid-state batteries garnered widespread recognition as a transformative technological breakthrough.
According to a recent report by market research firm TrendForce, the structural stability of solid-state electrolytes makes them inherently more secure against short-circuiting, rendering them an optimal solution for striking a balance between safety and energy density.
Given the automotive industry’s escalating investments and intensified research and development in the field of solid-state batteries, the report anticipates that all-solid-state batteries featuring high-activity materials will commence mass production between the years 2030 and 2035.