The Non Primary Power System (NPS 1160) is modeled on International Battery’s large format Iron Phosphate cells and Battery Management System (BMS) technology manufactured in the U.S. The goal of this program is to test and deliver prototypes aimed at creating increased power in military combat and silent watch vehicles.
The potential for this technology is very significant in both size and growth in these modular systems. With the added rolling Silent Watch requirements and tight space claims within the military, these systems offer the scalability and modularity to fit multiple platforms.
International Battery’s U.S. based manufacturing facility will offer several advantages in the rapid development of Iron Phosphate batteries including: clean and environmentally safe setting through the use of its water based manufacturing process; higher energy density and longer life cycle than those achieved from current conventional lead-acid batteries.
"Congressman Dent has been a great advocate for International Battery and our innovative battery manufacturing technology," said International Battery’s CEO, Ake Almgren. "We’re honored by the recognition of Congressman Dent and the Department of Defense for our capabilities to help enhance our country’s security and provide increased operational effectiveness for our troops in the field."
International Battery’s award is among an initial base contract with several options to follow that will allow a path for International Battery’s strength of engineering and manufacturing to lead Silent Watch technologies into the future. The total funding package will help to create International Battery’s future capability of adding more high-paying jobs in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This technology footprint represents additional market growth capability for the commercial markets, such as trucks, buses and future stationary power applications.
"With companies like International Battery, our region is leading the way in the development of advanced, innovative technology for use by the military," Congressman Dent stated. "The rollout of this important technology will also help provide a model for commercial uses. This is an important investment toward meeting our nation’s overall goal of replacing petroleum as our primary energy source in the transportation sector."
International Battery Introduces High-Power Modular Packaging for its Ultra-Large-Format Lithium Batteries
International Battery, developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries, announced the introduction of three classes of standardized modules for its ultra-large-format lithium batteries – Nested, Slim and Wide – to accommodate various customer-specific geometries. Each module can supply up to 4 kilowatt-hours of storage.
These new modules create an energy storage system that incorporates eight large format International Battery cells connected in series. Each cell has a unique recognizable Battery Management System (BMS) board. Modules can be connected in series or parallel configurations to meet the desired voltage and energy requirements. The system can accommodate 30 modules for a maximum voltage of 760 Volts and can incorporate any of the company’s cells ranging from 40 to 200 Ah capacity per cell.
“These modules are well-suited for customers seeking highly configurable, large energy storage systems in formats suitable for rapid integration,” said International Battery CEO Ake Almgren.
The cells are monitored and balanced by the BMS and provide information to a controller directly or through a systems’ control board that International Battery can provide. The BMS has sufficient intelligence to determine any pre-determined safety or operational non-conformance and provide for reliable implementation of a latchable interlock system.
International Battery presently offers six cell models in two chemistries, where the basic (pre-packaged) cells offer performance at or beyond industry standards, achieving energy densities of:
* 154 Wh/kg and 278 Wh/Liter in the 740 Wh 200 Ah lithium nickel cobalt manganese cell, or
* 107 Wh/kg and 192 Wh/Liter in the 512 Wh 160 Ah lithium iron phosphate cell.
The company’s innovative modules and batteries will be on display at this week’s Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC) in Long Beach, Calif., in booth number 801.
The company’s Allentown, Pa., factory is the first purpose-built commercial manufacturer of next-generation large-format lithium ion batteries in the United States, and is helping to reverse the offshore flow of manufacturing capability. The company’s technology was originally based on an exclusive license from an established leading-edge Chinese battery manufacturing company. International Battery has subsequently further developed both the cell design and fabrication processes.
Battery Chemistry
As battery technology continues to advance, International Battery (IB) is at the forefront of renewable energy, delivering low cost, high energy lithium-ion batteries. IB manufactures two types of lithium-ion chemistries: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NiCoMax) in a variety of sizes. The IB product lines offer safe and reliable solutions for a wide variety of applications including transportation, stationary/energy storage, and military.
As with all types of energy storage, safety is our number one concern. Safety is engineered in at the chemical level – from electrolyte design through to electrode material selection and electrode materials processing. The large-format, prismatic cell design by itself provides a safe and robust package. Safety is also engineered in at the system level through 100% monitoring of cell voltages and temperatures, as well as through individual cell balancing and fail-safe systems-level protection. Safety testing has included short circuit, overcharge, over discharge, abusive heating, thermal shock, vibration and bullet penetration.
Battery Manufacturing
Environmental stewardship is key to International Battery’s operations. IB takes enormous pride in our ‘green’ cell manufacturing. IB’s lithium-ion electrode coating processes replace environmentally burdensome organic solvents with water – no solvent evaporation, no solvent burning or complex solvent recovery processes.
Battery Format
Large energy storage applications require a very large number of cells or a much smaller number of large cells. Most of the world’s lithium batteries are produced as small cylindrical cells; the largest typical size is ~ 3 Ah per cell. Large “pouch” type prismatic cells have emerged at up to 10 Ah per cell. International Battery is one of the few global companies with the ability to produce single large prismatic lithium-ion cells that are 50 Ah and larger.
IB’s lithium-ion batteries can be implemented in wide range of uses:
Propulsion Applications: Electric and Series Electric Vehicles such as Autos, Buses, Delivery Vehicles, Trains, Cranes, Boats, Trucks, and Off Road Work Vehicles.
Stationary Applications: Man Portable Military Auxiliary Power Units (APU), Military Non-Primary Power Sources (NPS), and Cable and Telecom backup power systems.
About International Battery
Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
