SimpliPhi: Replace cobalt-containing lithium batteries with lithium iron phosphate batteries, making it the main energy storage electrochemistry in the United States

SimpliPhi has been committed to providing low-cost, safe, and efficient energy to global users for more than ten years. The CEO of the company, Catherine von Berg, wants to provide energy for everyone. First, she wants to replace cobalt-based lithium-ion batteries and make them the main energy storage chemical in the United States and other regions. Von Berg believes that despite safety concerns about cobalt-containing batteries, one of the most important reasons for their widespread use is the deep-rooted supply chain and its cost advantages. "Now, we are constantly closing the gap between the price per kilowatt-hour (cobalt-free lithium battery) and the price of NMC and NCA batteries." Von Berg co-founded SimpliPhi in 2010 with Stewart Lennox, which began developing mobile portable batteries for the film industry. Lennox’s modules developed for the film industry replaced large lead-acid batteries and diesel generators, “because you can’t shoot in scenes with diesel noise, pollution, and everything else.” At the same time, it became a company developed for the military. Model. When the military learned about SimpliPhi, the military banned lithium-ion electrochemistry, but later learned that the company used lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemical substances. In the end, under the certification of the Ministry of Defense, lithium iron phosphate The batteries were deployed to forward operating bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. Von Berg said: "Creating these mobile portable systems so that soldiers can carry them with them when performing missions. Therefore, we can help remove the bullseye and significantly reduce the number of fuel convoys." The company plans to expand these mobile and portable systems to the global residential and commercial fields to truly solve energy problems and change people’s perceptions about energy. They can become their own power plants, generate foldable solar panels and small wind turbines, and can even be used for optimization. Diesel generators. Von Berg believes that due to multiple examples of battery fires, people are increasingly worried about the safety of traditional lithium-ion systems, but many people in the industry still cannot distinguish lithium-ion chemicals. She also said that cobalt is harmful, and lithium No, although some measures have been taken to reduce the risks of cobalt-based lithium-ion batteries, when there is an opportunity to use low-risk LFP batteries, why should we devote ourselves to unnecessary research and development to reduce the risks of high-risk batteries? "We want to simplify the entire process, without the need for thermal monitoring, mitigation, liquid polymer cooling, and all other toxic elements that can be used to cool cobalt-based batteries, but spend more to maintain a narrow thermal environment temperature." In this way, SimpliPhi's system also has risks. "There is danger where there is electricity. But fundamentally speaking, the non-toxicity of chemical substances is very important." In addition, compared with typical cobalt-based lithium batteries, LFP batteries have a longer cycle life, a deeper depth of discharge, and a faster charge and discharge rate. SimpliPhi also has competitors in the LFP field, including BYD and Sonnen. Although the latter does not design or manufacture batteries but has developed a software platform to buy batteries from other manufacturers to compete in the residential market. Von Berg mentioned a project announced with Pepco in Maryland last week. It consists of a 70.2 kW rooftop photovoltaic and a 46 kW/56 kWh battery system, which is the resilient center of grid interruption. Now SimpliPhi products are sold to the United States and 43 other countries. SimpliPhi will look for partners in areas such as operating capital and project development this year. Forberg said that these companies may include "some large companies from natural gas to oil, they are looking for full integration." Currently, SimpliPhi has been approached by several large multinational companies. Von Berg put forward his own views on the battery field: technology is constantly being updated, we always pay attention to different chemical batteries, but we do not have to live in fear of new technologies, because our platform will enable us not only to integrate and Innovation. When a more economical, more efficient, and more durable energy storage technology emerges, we will also gladly accept it. We are now using LFP batteries because we believe this is the best choice at the moment.