Novonix Limited (ASX: NVX) has entered a partnership with Emera Technologies to develop and manufacture energy storage systems, targeting significant market opportunities throughout North America. Novonix will be participating in the partnership through its wholly owned subsidiary, Novonix Battery Technology Solutions, based in Halifax, Canada.
Emera Technologies launched its microgrid power and battery business, BlockEnergy in 2020 as the first utility-owned community microgrid platform. Emera Technologies is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a multinational energy holding company based in Nova Scotia with more than C$32 billion in assets in 2019.
The Emera Technologies and Novonix teams have been working to develop a battery pack including innovative designs, custom manufacturing and control systems to support the BlockEnergy microgrid requirements.
The BlockEnergy project is a great example of applying our technology to real life projects and developing systems with specifications not available currently in commercial products, and that have tangible downstream applications,” said Dr. Chris Burns, co-founder and Chief Executive of Novonix.
“This project brings the opportunity to partner on not only the development but also manufacturing of new battery systems with significant market opportunities. The target market is not limited to the United States but will also include a focus on opportunities and customers here in Canada,” said Dr. Burns.
Novonix was born out of work by Dr Jeff Dahn’s Research Group at Dalhousie University that focuses on lithium-ion battery research and currently works exclusively with Tesla. Dr Dahn will join Novonix on July 1, 2021 as its Chief Scientific Advisor.
“Partnerships like Novonix and Emera Technologies help take battery technology advancements to the real world, in this case powering individual residential homes,” said Dr Dahn.
Emera Technologies and Novonix plan to field test the first demo units in 2021 which will help inform final decisions around system specifics and design.