LIB Libertine Holdings Plc

12 March 2024

RNS Reach

Libertine Holdings PLC

("Libertine" the "Company" or the "Group")

Libertine announce Strategic Partnership Agreement with BASEBATT

Libertine Holdings PLC (LSE AIM: LIB), a developer of linear generator technology, has entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement with BASEBATT Ltd ("BASEBATT"), a developer of battery storage solutions, to create factory-configurable, fuel-flexible containerised hybrid renewable power systems.

The purpose of the Strategic Partnership Agreement is to secure partner commitments to form one or more demonstration programmes in response to a trio of new enquiries from a leading US containerised power generator company, a waste-to-energy technology company and a global data centre energy services company.

The nature of the Strategic Partnership Agreement is largely non-binding and any revenue generating activities would be subject to further agreement in the form of a binding Joint Development Agreement or Contractual Framework Agreement and Statements of Work.

Under the terms of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, Libertine and BASEBATT intend to collaborate on business development, technical development and pilot programme formation activities to create prototype demonstration units for intensive energy users such as data centres, warehousing and logistics, and manufacturing operations in the UK and globally.

The containerised power system will incorporate linear generators, which combine the efficiency of fuels cells with the durability and power density of conventional generators to produce clean, dispatchable¹ power from renewable fuels. Libertine's intelliGEN platform is the foundation for a battery-like Linear Generator product architecture that combines individual Linear Power System 'cells' into modules and packs. 

BASEBATT is a developer and supplier of modular battery energy storage systems for stationary power applications. BASEBATT's technology provides a configurable, robust, future-proof platform for energy storage, management and deployment into a wide range of sectors.

The rapidly growing global demand for data centres and other energy intensive site operations is constrained by grid infrastructure and often relies on conventional internal combustion engine generators using fossil fuels for dispatchable power generation. Containerised hybrid power systems combining linear generator and battery technology would provide a more efficient, more effective, fossil free solution.

Sam Cockerill, Chief Executive of Libertine, said: "Grid infrastructure in both developed and developing markets is insufficient to support the growing demand for energy services, especially as the use of intermittent renewables increases. Libertine's linear generator technology complements BASEBATT's battery storage technology to provide a solution.

"Containerised hybrid power systems will help balance power supply and demand within micro-grids² and behind-the-meter³ solutions by storing intermittent renewable power when there is a surplus and providing dispatchable clean power from renewable fuels when the battery storage is depleted.

Richie Frost, Chief Executive of BASEBATT, said: "We are delighted to be working with Libertine to develop this new hybrid power system product architecture, addressing significant current challenges with grid infrastructure. The hybrid power system we intend to develop would provide a modular solution that can be factory-configured for individual business requirements, ensuring that both battery and generator capacity provided is optimally sized in a single container, and reducing the total system CAPEX and on-site installation costs.

"The combination of clean power generation from Libertine's linear generator technology with battery storage of intermittent on-site renewable power will support continued growth of energy use in data centres and other energy intensive industries whilst delivering an economic path to net zero."

Editors Notes

1 "Dispatchable" means flexible power generation that can immediately respond to changes in grid or site demand.

2 "Micro-grids" are small-scale power grids that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main power grid. They consist of localized sources of energy, such as linear generators, along with energy storage devices and control systems to manage supply and demand within a specific area.

3 "Behind-the-meter" refers to energy systems or devices that are located on the customer's side of the utility meter. This includes power generation sources and energy storage systems used to meet the customer's energy needs without interacting directly with the utility grid.

For more information, please visit www.libertine.co.uk or contact:

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About Libertine

Founded in 2009, Libertine provides technology platform solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs"), enabling efficient and clean power generation from renewable fuels, and more effective energy storage devices and gas compressor systems. Libertine was admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2021. 

Libertine has created two technology platforms, each using the same core technology elements, which the Company provides to its OEM customers for their development of Linear Generator and Linear Motor products:

-       The intelliGEN™ platform enables the creation of clean, highly efficient and fuel-flexible Linear Generator products including:

•      Heavy-duty hybrid powertrains of trucks, buses, tractors, construction and mining equipment;

•      Medium and light-duty hybrid powertrains of commercial vehicles operating over longer distances;

•      A proportion of the passenger automotive market where vehicle use and recharging constraints are a barrier to battery electrification; and

•      A wide range of off-grid, portable power and distributed power generation applications.

-       The HEXAGEN™ platform enables more effective energy storage, thermal power generation, waste heat recovery and gas compression products including:

•      Stirling Engine power generators and thermal energy storage systems;

•      Linear motor reciprocating compressor (LMRC) systems for hydrogen refuelling stations; and

•      Organic Rankine Cycle waste heat recovery systems.

These two platforms are a result of over a decade of development and performance validation of Libertine's proprietary core technology elements including its linear electrical machines, controls and developer tools.

The potential market for Linear Generator products goes well beyond the distributed power generation applications where Linear Generators are already in commercial use today, complementing intermittent renewable power with clean, on-demand power generation. Linear Generators also have the potential to complement battery electrification in hybrid powertrains, providing on-board power generation to address the practical and economic barriers to rapid adoption of clean electric propulsion using battery electric powertrain technology alone.

Working with OEMs from an early stage in the development cycle ensures Libertine's technology is effectively integrated into OEM products, maximising the performance and economic benefits provided by Libertine's platform technology. Libertine has developed a portfolio of over 30 granted patents in addition to a significant body of technical know-how generated since the Company's formation. The Company's senior management team and board includes executives with decades of deep technical experience in the automotive and energy industries.

About BASEBATT

BASEBATT Ltd is a new company that has been formed to create containerized energy storage systems, providing innovative solutions for storing and distributing energy, drawing on the technology and engineering resources of the GATTECHA group of companies. BASEBATT integrates advanced battery storage systems with modular design, allowing unprecedented flexibility in capacity and configuration to meet various energy needs, as well as easy deployment and integration into existing infrastructure, making it ideal for both on-grid and off-grid applications.  

BASEBATT aims to provide customized, full turn-key electrification and energy storage solutions to businesses that are looking to transform their existing operations to optimize utilization, improve efficiency, and achieve long-term cost savings.  BASEBATT works closely with customers to understand their challenges and goals, conduct thorough analysis of energy usage and management processes, and provides comprehensive solutions that include electrification of fleets, charging infrastructure deployment, energy storage systems & management tools.

With innovation, flexibility, and reliability in mind, BASEBATT's cell-agnostic products and solutions are designed to be future-proof and to integrate seamlessly with different battery cell technologies, allowing our customers to take advantage of emerging technologies and improve performance without significant retrofitting costs. Our energy storage systems can also be used in conjunction with generators or fuel cells to further enhance efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in various applications with the following benefits:

·      Peak-shaving and load-balancing: during periods of high electricity demand, the energy storage systems can discharge stored energy to supplement the power output from the generator or fuel cell, reducing the load on the generator and optimizing fuel efficiency.

·      Reduced emissions: integrating energy storage systems with generators or fuel cells allows for the optimization of energy usage and power generation, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

·      Transient response improvement: energy storage systems provide fast response times and high-power capabilities, making them ideal for improving the transient response of generators and fuel cells, as well as enhanced stability and system reliability.

·      Backup power and resilience: energy storage systems provide backup power during startup / shutdown sequences, or in the event of generator or fuel cells failure. By seamlessly transitioning to stored energy during transient periods or emergencies, our energy storage systems enhance resilience, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and minimizing downtime.

·      Renewable energy integration: our energy storage systems can be paired with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, along with generators or fuel cells, to create hybrid power systems. These systems combine the intermittent generation of renewable energy with the reliability of generators or fuel cells, and the flexibility of energy storage, enabling round-the-clock power supply with minimal reliance on fossil fuel.