Next-generation lithium-free energy storage
that runs in extreme heat and remote sites with no HVAC and no fire risk
The PGA battery is a next-generation rechargeable battery that uses no lithium. It resists degradation at high temperatures and does not catch fire or go into thermal runaway, enabling energy storage where lithium-ion batteries struggle: deserts and other extreme environments, unmanned remote sites, solar power plants, EVs, robots and drones.
We are developing technology to produce PGA, the battery's key material, from acetic acid, a common and inexpensive chemical feedstock. Making PGA in-house from readily available raw materials keeps material costs low, and together with a manufacturing process that needs no dry room, it lowers the cost of the whole battery.
No HVAC cooling is needed even in desert heat above 50°C, drastically lowering operating costs (OpEx).
No thermal runaway in nail-penetration or overcharge tests, so it is safe even at unmanned sites without water.
Matches the roughly 25-year life of solar panels, with no battery replacement cost for 20 years.
Full capacity returns on recharge even after complete discharge to 0 V, ideal for sites left idle.
No dehumidified dry room is required, lowering CapEx. Using no scarce lithium, and making the key material PGA from inexpensive acetic acid, keeps it highly cost-competitive.
Cells can take any shape, built into extruded aluminum profiles or housed inside utility-scale solar racks.
| Item | Lithium-ion | PGA Battery | Benefit in Extreme Environments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature | -20°C to 50/60°C (degrades fast in heat) | -20°C to 85°C (weather-resistant, wide range) | No HVAC cooling needed |
| Cycle life | 1,000–6,000 cycles (replace in 5–8 years) | 20,000–30,000 cycles (20+ years) | No battery swaps for 20 years |
| Fire safety | Risk of thermal runaway and fire (hard to extinguish) | Non-flammable (no thermal runaway or explosion) | Zero fire incidents at remote sites |
| 0 V recovery | Permanently damaged (discarded after over-discharge) | 100% recovery (restored by recharging) | Long idle periods and full discharge are fine |
| Manufacturing | Dry room required (high CapEx) | Made in standard factories (lower CapEx) | Strong cost competitiveness |
Combined with aluminum extrusion technology, we propose a new form of energy storage that turns the structure itself, such as racks, chassis and housings, into a battery.
Because no lithium is used, the large dry rooms and strict environmental controls required in lithium-ion factories are unnecessary. Even mid-sized plants can be highly cost-competitive, and we aim for near-zero marginal manufacturing cost.
The PGA battery is developed from a previous-generation rechargeable battery technology that is already in commercial use.
| Operating temperature | -20°C to +85°C |
|---|---|
| Cell EMF / charge voltage | 1.25 V / 1.4 V |
| Standard pack EMF / charge voltage | 3.75 V / 4.2 V |
| Heat resistance | Flame-resistant (melting point 135°C) |
| Charge/discharge time | About half that of lithium batteries |
| Battery control | No BMS needed for small capacities |
| Form | Thermoplastic: curved shapes and large formats (1 m × 10 m) possible |
A third-party safety test (IEC 62133) found no fire, explosion or leakage (previous-generation cells). Curved batteries have been supplied to a research institution for use in prosthetic hands.
We work step by step with partners, from prototypes to mass production and deployment.
We set up a pilot plant and manufacture prototype cells under contract.
Cells are designed to fit racks, frames and other shapes under a joint development agreement (JDA).
A long-term off-take agreement is signed and the batteries are deployed to large desert storage sites and more.
* Performance figures include specifications and test values under development and may change.
We welcome requests for PGA battery evaluation samples, co-development (PoC) and deployment.
Together with Kato Light Metal Industry Co., Ltd., we also support integrated designs with aluminum profiles.