Kyocera, 24M Develop Worlds 1st SemoiSolid Li-ion Storage System

Kyocera has launched its residential energy storage system, Enerezza, the world’s first system built using 24M’s SemiSolid electrode manufacturing process

Kyocera Corporation and 24M have announced that Kyocera has formally launched its residential energy storage system, Enerezza, the world’s first system built using 24M’s novel SemiSolid electrode manufacturing process. In addition, Kyocera has extended its commitment to 24M’s unique manufacturing platform with plans to start full-scale mass production in the fall of 2020.

In June 2019, Kyocera began pilot production of 24M’s SemiSolid battery technology to validate its use in residential energy storage systems in the Japanese market. Based on the successful pilot, Kyocera recently rolled out its full Enerezza product line — a 24M-based residential energy storage system available in 5 kWh, 10 kWh, and 15 kWh capacities designed to meet diverse customer needs.

“Kyocera and our customers benefit from long battery life, unparalleled safety, and the low-cost approach enabled by 24M’s unique manufacturing process,” said Toshihide Koyano, deputy general manager of Corporate Solar Energy Group at Kyocera. “We believe that 24M’s SemiSolid technology is the emerging standard for lithium-ion battery manufacturing. We are delighted to be the first company to deliver residential energy storage products using 24M’s novel process.”

The innovative manufacturing process delivers market-leading price-performance. SemiSolid electrodes use no binder, mixing electrolyte with active materials to form a clay-like slurry with unique attributes. As a result, the firms’ process eliminates the need for a significant amount of inactive materials and capital-intensive processes like drying and electrolyte filling, thus dramatically reducing manufacturing cost.

“Kyocera’s launch of the Enerezza residential energy storage product line marks a significant milestone for 24M,” said Naoki Ota, President and Chief Technical Officer of 24M. “After many years of hard work, our technology is commercially available thanks to our dedicated partner Kyocera.”

Recently, we had reported that IBM Research had unveiled a new battery that could help eliminate the need for heavy metals in production and surpass the capabilities of Li-ion batteries. Using three new and different proprietary materials, which have never before been recorded as being combined in a battery, the team at IBM Research has discovered chemistry for a new battery that does not use heavy metals or other substances with sourcing concerns.