A new testing service is expected boost the operations of South African SMEs involved in the lithium-ion battery industry.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reports that its Indoor Energy Storage Testbed will help set standards for the local industry and improve market knowledge.

The testbed will enable SMEs to test the performance and reliability of their lithium-ion batteries, according to the Engineering News.

‘The facility will provide much-needed testing for the country. It will be used as a service for technology developers or importers who would like to characterise their technologies for market entry,’ says CSIR project leader Renesh Thakoordeen.

The testbed is part of a collaboration agreement between the CSIR and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research.

It features a temperature chamber that can generate data on battery use in harsh climates such as in the Northern Cape, where temperatures can affect battery performance.

4 April 2023
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