FAQ

If Alsym isn't making lithium-ion batteries, what kind of battery chemistry are you using?

We’ve developed a new battery chemistry that’s unrelated to anything currently on the market. Our metal-oxide battery chemistry leverages a mechanism analogous to the one found in lithium-ion batteries, with the working ion shuttling between the anode and cathode.

But while Alsym and lithium-ion cells work in a similar way and our cells may look similar, we take advantage of inherently non-flammable and non-toxic materials, and our electrolyte is water-based. As such, Alsym cells are inherently dendrite-free and immune to conditions that could lead to thermal runaway and the catastrophic impact this has.

How does Alsym Green differ from traditional lithium-ion batteries?

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, Alsym Green uses sustainable, non-toxic materials, reducing environmental impact and supply chain risks. It also offers more flexible storage durations, from as short as 2 hours to as long as 110 hours, making it adaptable for various energy storage needs. And it is high performance in terms of round trip efficiency (RTE), power output and charging speed. Finally, its levelized cost of storage is comparable to or lower than lithium-ion for stationary storage solutions.

Is Alsym Green a safe alternative to lithium-ion batteries?

Yes, Alsym Green is a safe and non-toxic alternative. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which can pose fire hazards, Alsym Green is designed to avoid these risks, offering a safer solution for residential and commercial applications.

How does Alsym Green compare to other non-lithium battery chemistries for stationary storage?

Compared to other non-lithium batteries, Alsym Green has 2-10X higher energy density, making it a more space-efficient and powerful solution for 20′ containerized DC blocks. Further, it has best in class round trip efficiency (RTE) of 92%, fast charge (C/4), low self-discharge (<0.25% per day), and configurable discharge durations from 2-110 hrs. Overall, it has a performance profile that no other non-lithium battery can match. Other non-lithium battery chemistries commonly used for stationary energy storage are:

• Zinc-Bromine Batteries: While zinc-based batteries are known for their safety and low cost, they generally offer lower energy density and higher self-discharge compared to Alsym Green. Zinc-bromine systems are primarily focused on short- to medium-duration storage, whereas Alsym Green can support both short and long-duration storage (from 2 to 110 hours), offering greater flexibility for diverse applications.
• Iron-Air Batteries: Iron-air batteries are designed for multi-day storage, but they are bulky, far less efficient (RTE = 42.5%) and extremely limited in use (can only discharge at one fixed rate : 1% of capacity per hour). Alsym Green provides a more versatile solution, capable of both short-duration (as little as 2 hours) and long-duration (up to 110 hours) storage with high round-trip efficiency. This makes Alsym Green a much higher ROI solution for LDES developers and operators.
• Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries: Nickel-hydrogen batteries are reliable and have a long cycle life but come at a higher cost and have lower energy density compared to Alsym Green. They also use pressurized hydrogen, which introduces safety and complexity concerns. Alsym Green is not only cost-competitive but also avoids the safety risks associated with high-pressure hydrogen systems, making it a safer and more cost-effective choice for residential and commercial installations.
• Vanadium Flow Batteries: Vanadium flow batteries are designed for large-scale, long-duration storage due to their ability to scale independently between power and energy. However, they are expensive, require large footprints, and rely on liquid electrolytes that need careful management and maintenance which drives higher operating costs. Alsym Green, by contrast, offers a more compact design with solid-state materials, lower costs, and less maintenance, while still delivering flexible long-duration storage.

What can Alsym Green be used for?

Alsym Green is an advanced battery solution designed for stationary storage applications, addressing the safety, supply chain, and performance limitations of lithium-ion systems. Featuring a novel chemistry with nonflammable, nontoxic materials and a water-based electrolyte, Alsym Green is free from lithium, cobalt, and conflict metals. Offering two to ten times the energy density of competing non-lithium batteries, it provides flexible long-duration energy storage, high round-trip efficiency, and low self-discharge.

With its unparalleled safety profile, flexible, wide-duration storage capabilities and competitive costs, Alsym Green batteries are ideal for every stationary storage application, including utility-scale energy storage, micro-grid applications, commercial and industrial energy storage, and residential energy storage systems.

Is Alsym Green suitable for defense applications?

Alsym Green’s unique characteristics provide several advantages for energy storage in defense settings. It’s ideal for defense operations where safety and reliability are paramount but space optimization is still important, especially in harsh or high-risk environments with a wide range of environmental conditions. This ensures that they can be deployed in various defense scenarios, from remote military bases to field operations.

Alsym Green’s ability to be stored at a zero state of charge (SoC) for extended periods provides significant advantages for forward positioning applications. In these settings, batteries may not always be in constant use but need to be ready for deployment at a moment’s notice. Alsym Green can remain in storage at zero SoC without degradation, allowing assets to be stored for long periods and rapidly charged when needed, ensuring operational readiness.

You describe your battery chemistry as aqueous. Does that mean you're making flow batteries?

Alsym Green is not a flow battery chemistry. Alsym Green’s electrolyte is water-based and non-flammable compared to the organic solvents used in lithium-ion batteries. This significantly reduces the risk of fires or explosions, especially under extreme conditions like high temperatures, overcharging, or physical damage.

Our batteries operate much like lithium-ion batteries. In fact, our batteries take advantage of form factors and manufacturing processes used for lithium-ion batteries. As such, our cells are nearly identical when it comes to appearance and functionality. In comparison, flow batteries require large tanks of liquid electrolyte to store energy and a series of pumps and tubing for operation.

How much energy can a 20’ BESS container store?

In a 20′ Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) container, a system using Alsym Green can store up to 1.7 MWh of energy. This high storage capacity makes Alsym Green an ideal solution for a variety of applications, from utility-scale energy storage to commercial and industrial uses, where maximizing energy capacity in limited space is crucial.

Can Alsym Green BESS containers be stacked?

Yes, BESS containers incorporating Alsym Green batteries can be stacked two high. This is a significant advantage over lithium-ion systems, which typically cannot be stacked due to fire risk and safety concerns. Because Alsym Green batteries are made from non-flammable and non-toxic materials, they do not pose the same fire hazards as lithium-ion batteries, making them safer for compact storage configurations.

The ability to stack containers allows for more efficient use of space, especially in installations where maximizing energy storage per square foot is critical, such as in urban environments, industrial sites, or utility-scale projects. This stacking capability can lead to lower installation costs and more efficient deployment of large-scale energy storage systems.

How long does it take to charge and discharge the Alsym Green battery?

Alsym Green can fully charge in 4 hours. Discharge times are flexible, ranging from 2 to 110 hours depending on the specific use case and customer needs.

What is the round-trip efficiency of Alsym Green batteries?

Alsym Green batteries offer a 92% round-trip efficiency (RTE) at the DC level, which means they retain a high percentage of energy during the charge-discharge cycle, making them highly efficient for stationary energy storage applications.

What is the levelized cost of storage (LCOS) for Alsym Green compared to other technologies?

Alsym Green’s LCOS is comparable to lithium-ion batteries and significantly lower than other non-lithium alternatives in the market. This makes it a competitive solution for stationary energy storage.

What is the self-discharge rate of Alsym Green batteries?

Alsym Green batteries have a self-discharge rate <0.25% per day day, allowing them to retain most of their stored energy over time. This low self-discharge rate makes them ideal for long-duration energy storage applications where energy retention is critical.

Is Alsym Green a good solution for hot environments?

Yes, Alsym Green batteries are designed to perform efficiently in a wide range of temperatures, including hot environments. Because Alsym Green does not use flammable materials, it is inherently safer in hot environments compared to lithium-ion batteries, which can be prone to overheating and fire hazards in extreme conditions.

What are the environmental benefits of using Alsym Green batteries?

Alsym Green batteries are made with non-toxic, abundant materials, which help reduce the environmental impact associated with mining rare earth elements used in traditional lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, their sustainable design supports the transition to greener, renewable energy systems.

What is the expected lifespan of an Alsym Green battery?

The expected lifespan of Alsym Green batteries is designed to meet or exceed typical industry standards for stationary energy storage, providing long-lasting performance with minimal degradation over time.

How scalable is Alsym Green technology?

Alsym Green technology is highly scalable and can be deployed across various applications, from small-scale residential systems to large utility-scale storage projects. The flexibility in discharge duration allows it to serve a wide range of energy storage needs.

Can Alsym Green batteries be used with renewable energy sources like solar and wind?

Yes, Alsym Green batteries are an excellent match for renewable energy storage. Their ability to store energy for long durations makes them ideal for pairing with intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, ensuring energy availability even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

What certifications do Alsym Green batteries hold?

Alsym Green batteries are in the process of undergoing industry-standard certifications for safety, performance, and environmental compliance. With our inherent chemistry advantages, we expect to achieve certifications with the most stringent standards (UL 9540a, etc.). Please check back for updates on specific certifications as they are achieved.

How does Alsym Green contribute to grid resilience?

Alsym Green batteries can help stabilize the grid by providing reliable energy storage that can be dispatched when needed, smoothing out fluctuations from renewable energy sources and improving overall grid resilience.

Is Alsym Green affected by temperature fluctuations?

Alsym Green batteries are designed to operate efficiently across a range of temperatures, making them suitable for a variety of climates and reducing the need for expensive cooling systems often required for lithium-ion batteries.

Are your batteries available for sale now? How can I buy them?

We are currently working with early customers and partners for testing in 2025. If you would like to be one of these early partners, please contact us.

If you are developing a storage project and are interested in the sample specifications & performance capabilities of Alsym Green batteries, please contact us.

My organization is interested in deploying storage systems with Alsym Green. Can we work with you directly?

Please contact us. We’d be happy to talk.

Can Alsym Green help my organization take advantage of benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)?

Alsym Green is manufactured in the USA, with metals and components sourced from domestic suppliers or U.S. free trade partners. This allows entities to qualify for tax credits and other financial incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which prioritizes energy technologies that are domestically manufactured or sourced from approved countries.

Since Alsym Green uses materials from domestic sources and U.S. free trade partners, projects may qualify for additional incentives under the IRA that support secure, sustainable supply chains, reducing dependency on materials from politically sensitive regions.

The IRA incentivizes the deployment of energy storage systems, particularly those capable of supporting grid resilience and integrating renewable energy. Alsym Green’s flexibility in discharge durations (2 to 110 hours) makes it an ideal solution for energy storage projects seeking IRA-related benefits.

Alsym Green also supports the IRA’s broader goal of transitioning to a cleaner energy grid by offering a sustainable, non-toxic battery solution. Entities utilizing Alsym Green can benefit from tax credits related to emissions reduction and renewable energy integration.

When will samples be available for testing?

We are currently working with early customers and partners for testing in 2025. If you would like to be one of these early partners, please contact us.

Will you be selling complete storage systems?

We will be selling cells /modules to storage integrators / OEMs and not directly to developers / operators. If you are a storage integrator / OEM and interested in our batteries, please contact us.

Can I be a tester for Alsym Green?

We are currently working with early customers and partners for testing in 2025. If you would like to be one of these early partners, please contact us.

Does Alsym Green face any supply chain complications?

Unlike lithium-ion batteries, which rely on materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium—often sourced from regions with geopolitical risks—Alsym Green batteries are made from abundant, non-toxic materials that are readily available from domestic sources and U.S. free trade partners. This strategic sourcing approach ensures that Alsym Green is not affected by the same supply chain vulnerabilities related to conflict metals, rare earth elements, or materials concentrated in specific regions. As a result, Alsym Energy can offer a more reliable and ethically responsible solution, reducing supply chain risks and promoting sustainability.

Is Alsym Energy open to partnerships for RFPs and grant proposals?

Yes, we’re actively interested in partnering with other companies as a participant in requests for proposals (RFPs) and grant proposals. By leveraging Alsym Green’s innovative, non-lithium battery technology, partners can enhance their projects with a cost-effective, sustainable energy storage solution. Whether the focus is on renewable energy integration, grid resilience, or defense and infrastructure projects, Alsym Energy brings valuable expertise and technology to help secure funding and meet project goals. For partnership inquiries, please contact us to explore how we can collaborate on upcoming opportunities.

Can I invest in Alsym Energy? What is your stock ticker?

We are not a publicly-traded company, and have not announced any plans to go public.

If you are institutional investor, we have an excellent group of exciting investors but would be happy to talk about additional investment. Please contact us.

I have a storage application that’s not listed on this website. Can we talk?

We’re always open to discussing new and innovative applications for our technology. If you have a storage application that isn’t listed on our website, we’d love to explore how Alsym Green can meet your specific needs. Please contact us to start a conversation about your project.

Are you hiring? How can I join the Alsym Energy team?

We’re always looking for people who want to make a direct impact by helping us build the world’s first low-cost, high-performance, non-flammable and non-toxic rechargeable battery. You can find our current job openings on LinkedIn.