ONE To Invest $1.6 20 GWh In Michigan Cell Factory

Michigan-based energy storage technology company Our Next Energy (ONE) will be investing $1.6 billion in a new battery cell manufacturing plant, called ONE Circle, in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Once operational it will have an annual full capacity of 20 GWh by the end of 2027 which will be equivalent to 200,000 electric vehicle battery packs annually.

“ONE is thrilled to select Michigan for our first cell factory, due to the state’s unique combination of battery talent, proximity to material supply and access to low-cost energy,” said Mujeeb Ijaz, founder and CEO of ONE while applauding the efforts of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the MEDC team.

ONE already has strategic partnerships with DTE Energy, Van Buren Township, and Wayne County to step up clean tech manufacturing in Michigan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer mentioned that $1.6 billion investment by ONE would create over 2,100 jobs in Van Buren Township and secure the future of mobility and electrification in the state. He added, “With this new gigafactory, we will continue bringing the supply chain of electric vehicles, chips, and batteries home to Michigan and the USA while creating a sustainable, clean energy economy.”

ONE said that its inclusive workforce development program will begin in 2024 at ONE Circle. The company will partner with Detroit-based Focus: HOPE and Walker-Miller Energy Services to help transition Michigan’s talented automotive workforce with emphasis on equitable economic development.

Jerry Norcia, DTE Energy Chairman and CEO, said, “ONE will bring new, high-tech jobs to Southeast Michigan, supporting further EV deployment and the possibility of integrated, high-capacity energy storage for the electric grid in the future.”

The Virtuous Cycle of ONE

By 2028, ONE Circle will drive down carbon emissions by 45% by on-shoring its supply chain and integrating materials refinement with its Massachusetts-based partner 6K Energy into its manufacturing processes, while leveraging renewable energy for 50% of its power needs.

The company is also partnering with a North American battery recycler to be able to bring recycled materials back into its LFP and Anode-Free cells. This more sustainable approach to cell manufacturing is further supported by ONE’s partnership with DTE Energy to operate a grid-tied factory with utility-scale energy storage.

ONE Circle will act as a giant battery in its Gigafactory-to-Grid model to help stabilize the local power grid and provide renewable energy to the surrounding community in partnership with DTE Energy.

ONE said that it will take possession of the newly constructed facility in January 2023 and begin upgrades and equipment installation. The facility is being leased from Ashley Capital.