KORE Power Gains UN, UL and IEC Certifications, Aims for 10GWh Factory

KORE Power announced that its Mark 1™ battery cells have passed the testing and factory audit process required for certification under UN, UL and IEC regulations. With these certifications complete, KORE Power remains on course to fulfill global customer orders for Mark 1™ battery cells this quarter.

The company also recently announced its intentions to build a lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in the U.S. to support global growth efforts for its Mark 1™ Energy Storage System.  The new facility will produce systems that are made in the USA and will stimulate economic growth with 2,000 U.S.-based manufacturing jobs.

The new one million square foot facility will be used to manufacture and produce the company’s Mark 1™ Energy Storage System using state-of-the-art, fully automated battery assembly lines and processes. Once completed, the plant will have 10GWh of highly scalable manufacturing capacity that will meet the rapidly growing market demand for customized industrial battery solutions.

The following certifications have been awarded to KORE Power’s Mark 1™ battery cells:

• UN 38.3; Requirements for Transportation of Batteries Containing Lithium (The UN 38.3 certification is required for the distribution of lithium battery cells globally.‎).
• UL 1973; Batteries for Use in Stationary, Vehicle Auxiliary Power and LER Applications. (The UL 1973 certification confirms the suitability of lithium battery cells for battery systems used in ‎stationary energy storage applications.)
• IEC 62619; Secondary Cells and Batteries Containing Alkaline or Other Non-acid Electrolytes - Safety Requirements for Secondary Lithium Cells and Batteries, for use in Industrial Applications. (The IEC 62619 certification confirms the safe operation of secondary lithium cells and batteries in ‎industrial applications.‎)

Additional Certifications

KORE Power will now focus its efforts on evaluating the Mark 1™ module and rack, with testing beginning early February for UL 1973, UL 1998, UL 991, UN 38.3, and IEC 62619 certifications. These certifications are related to battery usage in stationary energy storage, electric vehicles, the battery management software and transportation of lithium-ion batteries.

In April 2020, KORE Power will commence UL 9540A testing of the Mark 1™ module and rack. The testing for UL 9540A; Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems, helps manufacturers prove compliance with new regulations for fire safety and building codes.

The Company will also begin shipping modules and racks that do not require UL 9540A to regions including the U.S., Europe, India and Australia. The first shipments will be to existing customers and partners, which will enable them to begin testing the Mark 1™ cells, modules and racks for E-Mobility and stationary energy storage applications.

Upon the completion of additional testing and certifications, KORE Power expects to ramp up Mark 1™ Energy Storage System production to participate in large installations in 2020.

"Receiving this first round of certifications represents the completion of a major growth milestone for KORE Power. We’ve promoted the safety, efficacy and density of KORE Power’s Mark 1™ battery cell, and now we’re able to prove these benefits and fulfill orders for Mark 1™ battery cell for integration into large scale energy storage systems across the globe," said Lindsay Gorrill, CEO of KORE Power. "Further, we recognize the importance of obtaining UL 9540A testing, particularly with the industry’s push and efforts to enhance safety around battery technologies and are pleased to be queued in UL's testing lineup. We’re pleased to be a part of the industry’s shift to supply safer battery products."

Production Plans

Currently, KORE Power is reviewing specific potential sites in a handful of states within the U.S. as part of its process to select the best location for the construction of its manufacturing plant. KORE Power has narrowed the search down to sites with broad access to labor and logistics hubs. Once established, KORE Power’s manufacturing plant will create over 2,000 new jobs in a variety of business segments including production, shipping & logistics, customer service and more.

“We pride ourselves on being a U.S.-based energy storage solution-provider. As a result of being based in the U.S., we are able to deliver local, personalized service for the growing energy market,” said Gorrill. “This new manufacturing plant is another step in our mission to increase our capacity to supply North American markets, and also to grow our international presence by offering proven and reliable solutions that are cost-effective and readily available. We are looking forward to selecting a location to construct a sustainable, state-side energy storage manufacturing plant – something we believe the U.S. market desperately needs.”

The assembly lines and processes for battery manufacturing will be based on those already being used for the Mark 1™ Energy Storage System production at a plant in Jiaozuo, China, which is owned by KORE Power’s manufacturing partner, Do Fluoride Chemicals (DFD). The existence and use of DFD’s testing and development production lines will minimize the time and risks often associated with the construction and design of new facilities. KORE Power’s U.S. plant will augment the 6GWh of battery production capacity that KORE Power will have available at DFD’s plant in late Q1 2020.