QuantumScape Corporation and Fluence Energy Inc. announced a multi-year agreement to introduce solid-state lithium-metal battery technology to stationary energy storage applications. The strategic relationship brings together two companies leading in technology innovation focused on accelerating clean energy adoption and reducing global carbon emissions. The companies will collaborate on what they believe to be a first-of-its kind solution to incorporate QuantumScape’s battery technology into Fluence stationary energy storage products as specific technical and commercial milestones are met.
The transition to cleaner energy systems will require cost-effective technologies that increase energy reliability and grid resilience
Stationary energy storage installations are expected to grow by more than 2,000% from 2020 to 2030, representing a $385 billion* global market opportunity. The transition to cleaner energy systems will require cost-effective technologies that increase energy reliability and grid resilience, and better manage demand to cover deficits and prevent power outages. As a leader in stationary storage, Fluence has consistently pioneered new applications for battery-based storage on the electric grid, from replacing natural gas peaker plants to enhancing transmission networks.
QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium-metal technology has the potential to improve these solutions by offering higher energy density battery cells that can store more energy in less space than today’s leading lithium-ion batteries. “Fluence and QuantumScape share the same mission to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions through innovation and adoption of energy storage technologies, so our collaboration is a natural fit,” said Jagdeep Singh, co-founder and CEO of QuantumScape. “While we have historically focused on automotive applications, we believe our battery technology is broadly applicable and can play a role in other sectors contributing to a lower-carbon future.”
“We are delighted to work with QuantumScape to bring the benefits of solid-state lithium-metal batteries to the stationary storage space,” said Manuel Perez Dubuc, CEO of Fluence. “As the team that invented battery-based energy storage on electric grids, it's no surprise that Fluence is working with QuantumScape, the clear leader in the solid-state battery space, to bring its innovation to the power grid. Fluence’s technology agnostic platform is also particularly suited to early adoption of next-gen technologies like this that have the potential to increase the adoption of stationary storage.”
Revolutionizing energy storage and enabling a lower-carbon future
Along with the agreement, which reserves batteries produced by QuantumScape’s pre-pilot production facility, QS-0, the companies will work together to validate and test QuantumScape solid-state battery cells for use in Fluence’s proprietary stationary storage products. The companies expect to enter into a large-scale supply agreement in the course of the collaboration.
QuantumScape is on a mission to revolutionize energy storage and enable a lower-carbon future. The Fluence relationship is the first non automotive agreement announced by the company. QuantumScape has announced three partnerships with major global automotive manufacturers, including the Volkswagen Group. Over the last six months, QuantumScape has also unveiled several significant technological advancements that have led to increased interest from automotive manufacturers and companies in other industries looking for high-performing next-generation energy storage.
*UBS (Jan 2022). Q-Series Redux: Energy storage – an accelerator of net zero target with US$385bn market potential in 2030.
