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					</table>Boston-area startup <a href="https://www.alsym.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alsym Energy</a> has raised $78 million in new funding to increase headcount and ramp up prototyping of its non-flammable rechargeable battery technology.
The Series B round was led by Indian conglomerate <a href="https://www.tata.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tata Limited</a> and venture capital <a href="https://www.generalcatalyst.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">General Catalyst</a>, with additional investment from <a href="https://thrivecap.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thrive Capital</a>, <a href="https://www.thomvest.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thomvest</a>, and prior backer <a href="https://dradscapital.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Drads Capital</a>.
The company claims its metal oxide batteries are made without lithium or cobalt. They can be used for any discharge duration between four and 110 hours and recharge in as few as four hours.
The funding will also allow Alsym to expand the pilot production lines of its first commercial battery product, Alsym Green. The battery is designed for grid-scale energy storage and offers better energy density than other non-flammable chemistries while operating safely at high temperatures.
Battery energy storage systems help stabilize the grid by storing renewable energy, which is intermittent, for later use. Power developers and project owners could <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/us-43-gw-solar-30-gw-battery-eia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">add</a> utility-scale battery storage capacity of up to 30 GW in the U.S. by 2025. The surge in variable solar and wind capacity in states like California and Texas is driving the growth of battery storage capacity.
&#8220;As the clean energy transition accelerates, it&#8217;s becoming more apparent that a single battery technology is not ideal for every use case,&#8221; said Mukesh Chatter, Alsym&#8217;s CEO and co-founder. &#8220;This funding represents a vote of confidence in our approach to developing new, non-flammable battery chemistries that combine high performance and low cost with a high level of safety.&#8221;
In addition to grid storage products, Alsym plans future battery offerings for marine shipping, electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and passenger vehicles.
&#8220;Alsym batteries are ideally suited to both temperate and warming climates, as well as infrastructure and industrial applications including data centers, steel mills, and chemical plants,&#8221; said Kripa Varanasi, Co-Founder and professor of mechanical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Global venture capital funding in the energy storage sector reached a record $9.2 billion in 2023, up 59% from last year. The numbers were revealed in Mercom Capital Group&#8217;s <a href="https://mercomcapital.com/product/annual-q4-2023-funding-ma-report-storage-grid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Annual and Q4 2023 Funding and M&amp;A Report for Storage &amp; Grid.</a>

Tata Invests in Lithium-Free Battery Startup Alsym in Boston

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					</table>After surpassing Australia last year to become the world&#8217;s second-largest cobalt producer, trailing behind the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia&#8217;s global cobalt output share is estimated to rise from 3% in 2022 to 19% by 2030, according to <a href="https://about.bnef.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BloombergNEF</a>.
With the rising demand for cobalt driven by the electric vehicle (EV) industry&#8217;s need for batteries, Indonesia is projected to increase its production and maintain its second position throughout the next decade.
Indonesia&#8217;s cobalt production is primarily a by-product of nickel mining. The country has seen a surge in plans and announcements in recent years, leading to tangible increases in cobalt supply.
Projects like Lygend&#8217;s Obi Island HPAL, Huayou&#8217;s joint venture in Morowali, and additional capacity from Tsingshan and other nickel matte producers have commenced operations earlier than expected, despite some delays typically associated with such endeavors.
<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-55461 size-full" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Picture1-2.jpg" alt="" width="100%" height="100%" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Picture1-2.jpg 602w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Picture1-2-300x190.jpg 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Picture1-2-600x380.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px" />
Indonesia&#8217;s upstream success in the cobalt industry hinges on its abundant nickel resources, stringent restrictions on unprocessed mineral exports, and the mandatory establishment of processing plants to access nickel for the steel sector.
The government has also streamlined the permitting system, facilitating the industry&#8217;s growth.
Building upon this success, Indonesia aims to replicate its effective policies in nickel and cobalt to achieve similar outcomes in the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle supply chain. Encouragingly, the country has already witnessed early progress with the emergence of various partnerships and plans for battery manufacturing investments.
However, given the substantial differences between the stainless steel and battery sectors, there are challenges to overcome in achieving Indonesia&#8217;s goals. Unlike steel, batteries are closer to their end-use markets due to the complexities and high cost of transporting cells.
Consequently, enforcing a policy that permits the export of only cells or batteries becomes difficult without corresponding local demand for these products.
Merely implementing an export ban is insufficient to incentivize the development of a downstream manufacturing industry without a conducive business environment that fosters sustainable battery and electric vehicle production.
Cobalt supply faces difficulties in adapting to changing market dynamics. As automakers and battery manufacturers respond to cobalt risks by adjusting demand, the outlook for cobalt consumption has consistently been revised downward.
This poses challenges for producers in adjusting their supply plans since cobalt is typically not a primary commodity in mining operations.
These challenges are further reflected in the peculiar behavior of cobalt prices, which have experienced significant declines despite events that should have led to lower supply.
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Despite downward revisions in cobalt demand forecasts, BNEF anticipates cobalt will continue playing a crucial role in the battery metals industry.
Nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistries are expected to maintain their dominance, and the importance of cobalt in stabilizing these systems for safety cannot be underestimated.
Recently, another report by BNEF <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/electric-vehicle-700-million-2040" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that EVs are set to exceed 100 million by 2026 and reach 700 million by 2040. These estimates represent a significant surge from the 27 million EVs registered at the beginning of this year.
 In February this year, BNEF <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/electric-vehicle-chargers-hit-200-billion-2026-bnef" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forecasted</a> that the total investment in electric vehicle chargers is set to cross $100 billion in 2023, and the next $100 billion of spending is expected to be achieved within the next three years.

Indonesia Capitalizes on the Rising Cobalt Demand for EVs: Report

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					</table>Demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries will increase from the current 340 GWh to over 3,500 GWh by 2030. The findings were published in the International Energy Agency’s (<a href="https://www.iea.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IEA</a>) report, ‘Global Supply Chains of EV Batteries.’
While all EV battery supply chain stages must scale up, IEA emphasizes that extraction and processing are particularly critical due to long lead times. The agency states governments must leverage private investment in sustainable mining and ensure precise and rapid permitting procedures to avoid potential supply bottlenecks.
Innovation and alternative chemistries that require smaller quantities of critical minerals and extensive battery recycling can ease demand pressure and avoid bottlenecks. Incentivising battery “rightsizing” and adopting smaller cars can also decrease demand for critical metals.
IEA maintains that governments should strengthen cooperation between producer and consumer countries to facilitate investment, promote environmentally and socially sustainable practices, and encourage knowledge sharing.
The report also suggests that governments should ensure traceability of key EV components and monitor the progress of ambitious environmental and social development goals at every stage of battery and EV supply chains.
Dependence on China
China produces three-quarters of all lithium-ion batteries and is home to 70% of production capacity for cathodes and 85% for anodes—both key components of batteries. Over half of lithium, cobalt, and graphite processing and refining capacity is in China.
Europe is responsible for over one-quarter of global EV assembly but contributes very little to the supply chain apart from cobalt processing at 20%. The United States has an even smaller role in the global EV battery supply chain, with only 10% of EV production and 7% of battery production capacity.
Korea and Japan have considerable shares of the supply chain downstream of raw material processing, particularly in the highly technical production of cathode and anode material. Korea is responsible for 15% of global cathode material production capacity, while Japan accounts for 14% of cathode and 11% of anode material production. Korean and Japanese companies also produce other battery components such as separators.
Most minerals are mined in resource-rich countries such as Australia, Chile, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and handled by a few major companies. Governments in Europe and the United States have bold public sector initiatives to develop domestic battery supply chains. Still, most of the supply chain will likely remain Chinese through 2030.
Rise in demand
Pressure on the supply of critical materials will continue to mount as road transport electrification expands to meet net-zero ambitions. Demand for EV batteries will increase from around 340 GWh today to over 3,500 GWh by 2030.
Additional investments are needed in the short term, particularly in mining, where lead times are much longer than for other parts of the supply chain. Certain cases require more than a decade from initial feasibility studies to production and then several more years to reach nominal production capacity.
The projected mineral supply until the end of the 2020s is in line with the predicted demand for EV batteries. The supply of minerals like lithium needs to rise by one-third by 2030 to fulfill the demand for EV batteries.
There are other variables affecting the demand for minerals. If current high commodity prices endure, cathode chemistries could shift towards less mineral-intensive options. For example, lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) cathode chemistry does not require nickel or cobalt but comes with a lower energy density and is, therefore, better suited for shorter-range vehicles.
LFP share of global EV battery supply has more than doubled since 2020 because of high mineral prices and technology innovation, primarily driven by increasing uptake in China.
Innovation in new chemistries, such as manganese-rich cathodes or sodium-ion, could further reduce pressure on mining. Recycling can also reduce the demand for minerals. Although the impact between now and 2030 is likely to be small, recycling’s contribution to moderating mineral demand is critical after 2030.
In a recently released report, IEA <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ev-battery-supply-chains-stressed/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> cobalt and nickel prices more than doubled from March 2021 to May 2022, stressing the supply chain as battery demand increased.
In an earlier report, IEA had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/sale-electric-cars-doubled-yoy-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a> that the sale of electric cars more than doubled to 6.6 million in 2021 compared to 3 million in 2020, accounting for 9% of the global car market.

Global Demand for EV Batteries to Rise to 3,500 GWh by 2030: IEA

Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:
In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Union <a href="https://powermin.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minister of Power</a> and New and Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh, provided a list of 24 cities identified to be developed as solar cities. The minister specified that there is no separate program for solar cities, and funds available under different programs are to be utilized to develop solar cities. A few highlighted cities on the list were New Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Bhubaneswar in Odisha, and Ayodhya and Prayag Raj in Uttar Pradesh.
<a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon India</a> and <a href="https://www.sunmobility.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SUN Mobility</a> announced a partnership to expand the deployment of EVs integrated with battery swapping technology for Amazon’s transportation and logistics services. These EVs will contribute to Amazon India’s commitment to adding 10,000 electric vehicles to its India delivery fleet by 2025. SUN Mobility plans to integrate its battery swapping technology with an expanded electric three-wheelers (3W) deployment for Amazon’s transportation and logistics services.
The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in a written <a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1811830" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reply</a> to the Lok Sabha, mentioned that the number of electric vehicles in the country, as of March 25, 2022, is 10,76,420 and a total of 1,742 Public Charging Stations (PCS), as per the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), are operational in the country, as of March 21, 2022. The minister also outlined the various programs implemented in the country to enhance EV infrastructure.
The Ministry of Mines <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1810948" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the creation of a joint venture company named Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) to ensure the mineral security of the nation and to attain self-reliance in the area of critical and strategic minerals. KABIL is mandated to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets of critical and strategic nature, such as Lithium, Cobalt, etc. Under this initiative, India and Australia will collaborate on lithium and cobalt identification projects. A detailed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a collaborative framework was signed between KABIL and the Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) under the Department of Industry, Science, Energy, and Resources (DISER), Government of Australia, on March 10, 2022, for the same.
The U.S. Department of the Interior <a href="https://doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-wind-energy-lease-sale-offshore-carolinas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental review and will hold a wind energy auction for two lease areas offshore the Carolinas on May 11. The lease areas cover 110,091 acres in the Carolina Long Bay area that, if developed, could result in at least 1.3 GW of offshore wind energy, enough to power nearly 500,000 homes. The announcement is part of President Biden’s plan to grow a clean energy economy that harnesses offshore wind projects to strengthen U.S. energy independence, create jobs, and lower energy bills for consumers.
CS Energy, an Australia-based energy company, <a href="https://www.csenergy.com.au/news/chinchilla-battery-to-charge-up-queensland-s-energy-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it would install a grid-scale battery near Chinchilla in Queensland to deliver cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy to the town. The 100 MW/200 MWh battery will be made up of Tesla Megapacks and form part of CS Energy’s energy hub at Kogan Creek. The Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the $150 million project was expected to create up to 80 jobs during construction and ten jobs when operational. Construction is expected to begin later this year after all relevant development approvals have been finalized. The battery is expected to be operational in late 2023.

Daily News Wrap-Up: Ministry Provides a List of 24 Cities to be Developed as Solar Cities

A new research finding at <a href="https://www.research.ibm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IBM Research</a> could help eliminate the use of heavy metals in battery production, and this could lead to a paradigm shift in the long-term sustainability of many elements in our energy ecosystem.
Generally, heavy metals like nickel and cobalt are used in batteries, which pose a serious threat to our environment and are hazardous. Cobalt, which is largely available in Central Africa, has come under some serious fire for exploitative extraction processes.
The research team at IBM Research has come up with a new battery that does not use any heavy metals with sourcing concerns.
The latest innovation in which three new materials have been used has never been combined in a battery before. According to IBM, the materials used for this battery can be extracted from seawater, and there is no need to use other invasive methods for extracting the materials, which makes it a viable alternative as compared to the normal batteries in use.
It’s not just the materials that make the innovation unique. IBM claims that initial tests have proved that it is more efficient and cost-effective than the lithium-ion batteries. It also has faster charging time, higher power, and energy density as compared to the more prevalent lithium-ion batteries.
The composition of the battery consists of cobalt and nickel-free cathode material, as well as a safe liquid electrolyte with a high flash point.
The unique combination of the cathode and electrolyte solution can suppress lithium-ion dendrites during charging leading to less heating, which is considered to be the main drawback of lithium-ion batteries, according to the company.
IBM claims that the battery requires only five minutes to reach 80% of the total charge, and this bodes well for the future of electric mobility.
To take that next step in battery development, IBM Research has joined hands with Mercedes Benz Research and Development, North America; Central Glass, one of the top electrolyte suppliers in the world; and Sidus, a battery manufacturer to develop the complete ecosystem for battery development.
As per the company’s blog, the research team at IBM Research is also using artificial intelligence (AI) called semantic enrichment to further enhance the battery potential by identifying new and high-performance battery materials.
The team at IBM Research has used a multidisciplinary approach combining materials science, molecular chemistry, electrical engineering, advanced battery lab equipment, and computer simulation to come up with this latest innovation in material science that might pave the way for the most powerful battery soon.
Recently, researchers at <a href="https://www.deakin.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deakin University </a><a href="https://mercomindia.com/researchers-extract-silicon-discarded-solar-panels-use-batteries/">came</a> up with an innovative way to extract silicon for discarded solar panels and turn it into nano silicon for batteries. This latest innovation is going to solve one of the biggest problems that are preventing photovoltaic cells from being recycled.
Earlier this year, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other institutions <a href="https://mercomindia.com/electrolyte-boost-efficiency-supercapacitors-energy-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">came</a> out with a new class of liquids that will enhance the efficiency and stability of supercapacitors. They have also developed a method to reduce the flammability of these devices.

IBM Claims to Have Come Up with A Battery that Could Replace Lithium-Ion

Tata Chemicals, a company with interests in chemicals, crop nutrition, and consumer products, has entered the battery recycling industry. The company has started commercial operations to recover active cathode materials from spent lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells or batteries.
Li-ion battery recycling is a process where metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese are recovered. The recovery maintains 99% purity in the levels of yield. The process directly impacts environmental pollution levels. Energy and natural resources are saved as fewer raw materials need to be harnessed from the earth since recycling makes these materials reusable. The minerals recovered in the recycling process are delivered to battery manufacturers to be reused in the production of new batteries. The Li-ion battery recycling process will occur at a unit located near Mumbai, India.
According to the company, this venture is expected to strengthen the energy sciences business undertaken by Tata Chemicals. The recycling operations is a pilot project. The project has been productive until now, and a goal to scale up operations to recycle 500 tons of spent Li-ion batteries is in the pipeline.
In the recently concluded Union <a href="https://mercomindia.com/budget-2019-india-e-mobility-ev/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Budget</a> for the financial year (FY) 2019-20, the finance minister, Nirmala Seetharaman has lent support to the electric vehicle industry by announcing tax incentives to accelerate the adoption of clean mobility in India. In lieu with the guidelines of Make In India policy, the government intends to pioneer a program to attract global companies to set up large-scale manufacturing projects in areas such as Li-ion storage batteries to name a few.
The Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board and <a href="https://mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-2-billion-ev-manufacturing-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Urja</a> Global have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to set up manufacturing units of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles in the country.

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