– The state has said that they will facilitate battery production, and this is the biggest green investment in central Norway. That’s what Arne Fredrik Lånke, general manager of Elinor Batteries says. From the offices at Sluppen in Trondheim, they are now making plans for the establishment of a giant battery factory near Orkanger. The fact that a lack of power and a valuable moorland present challenges does not dampen enthusiasm. Recently, they were able to celebrate that the first large battery cell was ready. – It is incredibly important to us that Sintef has built up a battery lab and a prototype line in Trondheim. This means that we have quickly started developing the battery technology we want to build on. Managing director Arne Fredrik Lånke at Elinor Batteries and Dorte Solvang, managing director at Norwegian Industrial Development are working hard to realize the plans for a battery factory in Orkland. Photo: Bent Lindsetmo / news Built in several phases Elinor Batteries is owned by Valinor, a family-owned investment company in Stavanger, which invests in the renewables sector. The Gigafactory, which could cost up to NOK 30 billion, will be built in several phases. The aim is to have an investment decision ready at the end of 2024, and for the first batteries to be in production during 2027. – We have said that we will produce 10 GWh in 2027. That corresponds to a turnover of NOK 10 billion, says Lånke. The factory will initially employ 700 people. In the long term, they envision having 1,500 in cell production. The state administrator in Trøndelag has objections to the establishment of a large battery factory in the middle of a vulnerable moorland. Photo: Elinor Batteries Myr can overturn the plans The factory is to be established on the Eiktyr industrial area, which is under development near Orkanger. – We have proposed to re-regulate an area of well over 6,600 acres. It has been a lot of work, but we are satisfied with the progress. That’s what Dorte Solvang, general manager of Norwegian Industrial Development, says. A company that is also owned by Valinor. – We have a good collaboration with Orkland municipality, and hope that the zoning plan will be finalized shortly. The state administrator has had several objections to the plans. Line Lund Fjellvær is county environmental protection manager at the State Administrator in Trøndelag. Photo: Private – The factory is planned to be located in marsh and forest areas which are of great importance for vulnerable plant and animal species. Also, it is huge. It roughly corresponds to the stretch from Munkholmen to Sluppen. That’s what county environmental protection manager Line Lund Fjellvær says at the State Administrator in Trøndelag. Three out of nine objections have been met by Orkland municipality. New feedback has just arrived, which the State Administrator will now assess. The Eiktyr industrial area, which is under development, is close to the traditional industrial site of Orkanger. Photo: Elinor Batteries – Isn’t it important for the State Administrator to facilitate green industrial workplaces? – It is absolutely important, and part of the green shift. It is expected, through the document “Road map for green industrial promotion” from the government, that we will contribute to the establishment of green industry such as a battery factory. At the same time, the industry must not have a significant negative impact on important natural diversity, and our task is also to ensure that climate and environmental considerations are taken into account in spatial planning. Dorte Solvang says they are working on answering the objections from the State Administrator. – The area must go through thorough investigations and impact assessments, then the municipality must do a good job of dealing with this. Researcher Francis Kinyanjui and research manager Paul Inge Dahl at Sintef have collaborated with Elinor to develop the battery cell, which consists of lithium, iron phosphate and graphite. Photo: Bent Lindsetmo / news Unique collaboration The close collaboration with Elinor Batteries is unique for the researchers at Sintef. – This is the first time we have made real battery cells of a certain size in our new lab on behalf of an industrial customer. This means that we are building up a completely new competence, which we have not had before in Norway. That’s what research leader Paul Inge Dahl at Sintef says. He hopes the laboratory will be of great help to Norwegian industry. – On a worldwide basis, it is a big investment, and Europe is trying to get on board. It will create many jobs and mean a lot to the Norwegian economy if battery production is successful on a large scale. Here a model of a type of batteries that Elinor Batteries plans to produce. Photo: Bent Lindsetmo / news Less dependent on Asia Asia dominates battery production today. The EU is working to make Europe less dependent on imports from Asia, and is facilitating increased sustainable battery production to make Europe more self-sufficient. – We believe that Europe should be able to rise to take a much stronger position, says Lånke. Elinor is focusing on battery systems for stationary storage of electricity, which will relieve the grid and store excess energy. – This is a market that is growing explosively in Europe now. Especially because of the rapid introduction of renewable energy, such as wind power and solar cells. But the electrification of society in general also creates a need for electricity in many places in the network. The batteries are also becoming important as large charging stations for heavy transport and ships are established. Lack of power Another major challenge for the battery factory is the lack of power in the region. Many industrial companies in central Norway are ahead of Elinor Batteries in the queue at Statnett, and have already reserved capacity for increased electricity consumption. Power consumption in the region is generally increasing, and according to Statnett, new power generation is absolutely necessary to cover the need. But for now, there are no plans for new power generation. Elinor wants 100 megawatts. The electrification of the fields Draugen and Njord outside central Norway is promised 80 megawatts. – We expect the authority to deliver, and that new forward-looking industry that provides many jobs is given access to the necessary power, says Lånke. – What happens if you are not prioritized? – We don’t have time to wait for new power to be developed in the region here. Other measures must be taken to secure this type of industry. Otherwise, nothing will come of it.
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Has the battery cell ready – an important milestone for the Norwegian battery industry – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
