CellMap: How different parameters influence cost and performance of battery cells from material to the final cell

Asian manufacturers already supply the majority of the world with inexpensive and high-volume batteries. However, in recent years, a number of initiatives have evolved in Europe and Norway to supply alternatives, with the goal of making Europe energy independent. Norway's modern manufacturing sector aspires to reap the benefits of the country's environmentally friendly electricity. Norway's battery industry has the potential to supply cells and materials with a far smaller carbon footprint than its rivals. However, Norway's practical competency is still behind that of countries with established battery businesses. CellMap's mission is to bolster Norway's budding battery sector by hastening the development of relevant skills on a national scale. In particular, we'll be making use of NABALA's cell pilot line infrastructure to chart out the entire manufacturing of cells. One of the most important aspects in deciding the success or failure of a production-based business is the speed with which new materials, information, and methods can be transferred from the laboratory bench to the factory floor, where they may be put to use. When building new cell factories and production lines, having a thorough comprehension of each step of the process and how it can be scaled up will save waste and speed up the integration of new materials.

Today’s battery industry is dominated by Asia-based companies, already delivering batteries in large volumes and at low cost. However, several European and Norwegian initiatives have recently emerged to provide alternative supply, aiming to establish European energy independence. Modern Norwegian industry aims to capitalize on the advantage of clean, environmentally friendly electricity. Battery production in Norway has the scope to deliver cells and materials with a considerably lower CO2 footprint compared to competitors. Practical competence in Norway, however, still lags behind countries with existing battery industries. The goal of CellMap is to strengthen the position of the emerging Norwegian battery industry by accelerating the growth of the required competences at national level. Specifically, we will use the National Advanced Battery Laboratory (NABALA) cell pilot line infrastructure to map every stage of the cell production process. This will increase the rate at which we can transfer materials, knowledge and methods from the laboratory bench to the factory, bringing industrial processes up to optimal yield faster—one of the key factors determining success or failure for a production-based business. Clear understanding of all the stages of cell production and how they can be scaled-up will reduce the scrap rate when new cell factories and production lines are built and accelerate integration of new materials into existing production processes.