[Lithium Battery: Times BAIC Battery Factory's First Cell Rolls Off Production Line]

On June 11, Lithium Ionic announced that it has placed the first long-lead equipment order for its Bandeira lithium project, located in the Lithium Valley region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The order covers a 138/13.8 kV main power transformer for the project’s internal substation. The equipment will be supplied by Brazilian manufacturer Blutrafos. According to the company, the transformer is a critical-path item that must be secured in advance of construction. The order marks the formal commencement of long-lead equipment procurement and indicates that the Bandeira project is gradually progressing from the engineering phase toward construction readiness. Lithium Ionic stated that overall engineering progress at Bandeira has reached approximately 65%. To support detailed engineering and construction planning, the company has completed 1,352 metres of geotechnical drilling across the project area. The capital expenditure estimate is also being updated based on the latest engineering work, while additional long-lead equipment packages are expected to move forward through tendering and procurement. The Bandeira project is 100% owned by Lithium Ionic and is located in Minas Gerais, one of Brazil’s key lithium-producing regions.

On June 9, the second phase of the China Southern Power Grid Shenzhen Guangming Hongqiao Park Flash Charging Demonstration Station was officially put into operation, with the addition of 14 new V2G (vehicle-to-grid) charging piles. This station has become the largest single-station megawatt-level vehicle-to-grid flash charging demonstration station in the country. The maximum single charge/discharge power capacity of this demonstration station reaches 4.21 megawatts, capable of simultaneously accommodating 61 new energy vehicles for charging and discharging operations. Additionally, it is the first flash charging station under China Southern Power Grid to integrate an electric power inspection drone nest.

On June 9 local time, General Motors and US grid energy storage company Peak Energy announced that they would jointly develop and deploy next-generation sodium-ion battery cells purpose-built for grid energy storage. Under the agreement, General Motors will be responsible for sodium-ion cell R&D at its battery lab in Michigan and retain exclusive manufacturing rights for the cells; Peak Energy will integrate these cells into its proprietary energy storage systems.