DGAP-Adhoc: Leclanche and EPFL innovate to store solar energy
Leclanché SA / Key word(s): Alliance
01.09.2014 07:09
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR
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Joint Press Release
Leclanche and EPFL innovate to store solar energy
A research project conducted by Leclanché S.A., the Ecole Polytechnique
Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Romande Energie and with the financial support
of the Canton of Vaud could bring a real added value in the development of
renewable energies.
Lausanne, on 29th August 2014 - As part of its "100 millions pour les
énergies renouvelables et l'efficacité énergétique" programme, the Canton
of Vaud allocates about two million francs to the Distributed electrical
systems laboratory of Professor Mario Paolone of the EPFL, in order to
implement a comprehensive system of energy storage.
Scientists want to study innovative solutions of industrial type for
storing solar energy and subsequently be able to distribute it in an
optimal way at times of peak consumption during the day. The heart of the
device developed by Leclanché will be based on an innovative titanate
Lithium-ion battery, which uses titanate instead of the traditional
graphite. It will operate in conjunction with the Romande Energie solar
park at the EPFL, one of the largest solar electric plants in the French
speaking part of Switzerland. This pilot project brings together the Ecole
Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss
Exchange:LECN), Romande Energie and the Canton of Vaud.
"The storage of electrical energy through the use of high-capacity and long
life batteries is a challenge that determines the massive integration of
renewable energy for the power generation. This partnership will allow us
to validate the technologies used in order to store solar energy on an
industrial scale, explains Professor Paolone. The issue is, therefore, very
important".
A campus-based laboratory
About the size of a shipping container, the Leclanché storage device will
be connected to the solar cells grid installed by the EPFL and Romande
Energie over an area of 15,000 m2. The container will be equipped with
Leclanché's high performance Lithium-ion titanate batteries which have a
very long life, with approximately 15,000 charge-discharge cycles, compared
to the usual 3,000. To increase the safety of the device, a ceramic
separator patented by Leclanché will be one of the key elements. This would
be complemented by a sophisticated management system.
"We welcome this collaboration, adds Fabrizio Marzolini, Manager of the
development of energy storage systems at Leclanché SA. This is the best way
to share the high technology developed at Leclanché and scientific research
to enable us to remain at the forefront of innovations that serve the vital
energy transition". State Councillor Jacqueline de Quattro, Head of the
Department of territorial planning and environment, welcomes the fact that
public funds are being invested in an innovative project meeting the
strategic lines of the government renewable energies policy.
As a true testing ground, the storage unit of industrial size can store up
to 500kWh, equivalent to the production of 2,500 square metres of
electricity from solar panels in one hour or the consumption of a hundred
households over one day, whilst managing variations in power related to
sunlight.
"This joint research will help develop the contribution of solar cells to
the Swiss energy supply, concludes Christian Frère, Manager of the Energy
business unit at Romande Energie".
Research related to the container will last 23 months and will help to
optimise the operation of the various components.
About the Laboratory of the Distributed Electrical Systems of the EPFL
The research activities of the Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory
are focused on finding new solutions for the management of power grids that
take into account their increasing and inherent complexity in the growing
integration of renewable energy sources and in the production and storage
of distributed electrical energy.
Additional information: http://desl-pwrs.epfl.ch
About Leclanché
The strategy of Leclanché is to strengthen its position as one of Europe's
leading manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries, and as an energy storage
solution provider for renewable energy in Europe. Its strategic priorities
are the development and sale of stationary products related to electrical
energy storage for both private individuals and industrial markets and
applications in networks. Added to this is the expansion of its current
business including the development of portable energy storage solutions for
military, medical and industrial applications, as well as offering
professional energy storage systems to a diverse clientele. By
participating in research consortiums focusing on applications for hybrid
systems and E-mobility, Leclanché is positioning itself to take advantage
of the new market opportunities.
Thanks to a patented ceramic separator technology and its lithium-ion
batteries technology with lithium oxide titanate anode, Leclanché
manufactures large size lithium-ion batteries for which safety and service
life have been optimised, as part of a fully automated production process.
The new production line has an annual installed capacity of one million
batteries or 76 MWh.
Leclanché was founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains. Through the absorption
of a "spin-off" of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 2006, the company has grown
from being a traditional battery manufacturer to becoming a leader in the
development and production of lithium-ion batteries. Leclanché currently
has over 100 employees and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LECN). The
head office is in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland) and the company also has
a production and development site in Willstätt (Germany).
Additional information: www.leclanche.com
About Romande Energie Group
Romande Energie Group is the leading electricity distributor in Western
Switzerland. Through its subsidiary Romande Energie Commerce, it supplies
more than 300,000 end-customers directly in approximately 300
municipalities in the cantons of Vaud, Valais, Fribourg and Geneva. Its
core business lines are the generation, distribution and marketing of
power, alongside energy services.
Priorities are liaising with customers to ensure high-quality services in
line with expectations; guaranteeing a reliable, sustainable and
competitive supply of energy; developing proprietary power generation
through priority investments in renewable energy; promoting innovative
energy-efficiency solutions.
Romande Energie's corporate social responsibility policy systematically
guides its approach to business.
Additional information: www.romande-energie.ch
About the "100 millions pour les énergies renouvelables et l'efficacité
énergétique" programme
Launched in January 2012 by the Vaud State Council, this program aims at a
double target. First, initiate the energy transition rendered mandatory by
developments in this work area. Second, provide a financial support to the
Vaud economic environment. It includes many elements, such as subsidies for
high performance building renovations exceeding the usual requirements,
incentives to produce photovoltaic current or supports for energy supply
sources such as wood or biomass. This program is also established in a
forward-looking vision supporting EPFL, HEIG-VD and UNIL R&D teams.
Additional information: www.vd.ch/100-millions
Media contacts
EPFL
Prof. Mario Paolone, +41 21 693 26 62, mario.paolone@epfl.ch
Leclanché SA
Christophe Lamps, Dynamics Group S.A., +41 79 476 26 87,
cla@dynamicsgroup.ch
Romande Energie
Laurie Shann, +41 21 802 95 74, laurie.shann@romande-energie.ch
Canton of Vaud
Laurent Balsiger, Director of Energy (DGE-DIREN), +41 21 316 35 19,
laurent.balsiger@vd.ch
Reservations
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to
the business activity of Leclanché, identified by terminology such as:
"strategic", "proposes", "introduce", "will be", "planned", " expected ",
"commitment", "expects", "defined", "preparation", "plans", "estimates",
"targets", "should", " potential", "expected", "estimated", "proposal", or
similar expressions, or by expressed or implied assertions regarding
forecasts of production capacity of Leclanché, potential applications for
existing products, or relating to a number of potential future business
matters from these types of products, or potential future sales or earnings
of Leclanché or of one of its business units. These statements should not
be regarded as absolutely reliable. They in fact reflect the current view
of Leclanché about the future, and involve known and unknown risks and
other factors that may cause actual real results that are different from
future results, performances or achievements, expressed or implied by these
statements. There is no guarantee that the Leclanché products will deliver
any level of turnover. Nor that there is any guarantee that Leclanché or
any of its business units will achieve any particular financial results.
01.09.2014 News transmitted by EQS Schweiz AG.
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Language: English
Company: Leclanché SA
Av. des Sports 42
1400 Yverdon-les-Bains
Switzerland
Phone: +41 (24) 424 65-00
Fax: +41 (24) 424 65-20
E-mail: investors@leclanche.com
Internet: www.leclanche.com
ISIN: CH0110303119, CH0016271550
Valor: A1CUUB, 812950
Listed: SIX
End of Announcement EQS Group News-Service
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