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.