Q & A

In July , we received a news release about Stryten Energy LLC , a U . S . -based manufacturer of energy storage solutions . The company announced a strategic partnership with Dragonfly Energy Holdings Corp ., a company in green energy storage , to license Dragonfly Energy ’ s Battle Born brand of lithium-ion batteries . In the agreement , estimated at potentially more than $ 30 million , Stryten gets exclusive licensing rights to market and distribute Dragonfly Energy ’ s Battle Born Batteries globally in most business-to-business markets and provide domestic contract manufacturing of Battle Born Batteries products for sale by Stryten Energy .

“ Stryten Energy is investing in domestic lithium battery assembly to support its next-generation lithium battery production for military , essential power and industrial applications ,” said Mike Judd , CEO and President of Stryten . “ This partnership creates a path for Stryten to incorporate Dragonfly Energy ’ s future production of lithium battery cells in North America into batteries assembled in our facilities , a critical component to establishing a strong industrial base and achieving our country ’ s energy independence and sustainability goals .”

We wanted to learn more about these companies and their battery design and manufacturing . So we asked .

OPE +: When developing batteries , how does a manufacturer consider the specific power needs of outdoor power equipment , like chain saws or leaf blowers or lawn mowers ? Dragonfly Energy : While each piece of equipment is different and will require different levels of power , the beauty of a lithium battery is that it has high power density , meaning it can deliver a lot of energy in the high bursts of power that these types of products demand . Plus , they can store a large amount of power in a relatively small and lightweight battery unit . This means customers can use these products for longer periods of time between charging , making them efficient and an added convenience where recharging or access to power may not be readily available . We also consider weight , lifecycle and maintenance , charge time , and of course safety . In order to achieve all of these parameters , we look at different battery cell form factors and chemistries to ensure we have the right fit for the right application .

( Editor ’ s note : Comparing the “ energy density ” of gasoline to batteries is complicated , considering the different production of the materials . To oversimplify , gasoline

has a much higher energy density than a lithium battery , while electric motors have far greater operational efficiency than internal combustion engines .)

OPE +: It ’ s not just about power output , but safety and durability too . Do you work on that as well , the entire packaging of a “ battery ” product ? Or is that more up to the equipment brand ? Dragonfly Energy : Safety and durability are paramount in battery design . We oversee the entire process , from the core chemistry to the final packaging . We prioritize stringent quality control during pack assembly , which takes place entirely in the U . S ., allowing us complete oversight . Our in-house battery lab conducts extensive research to optimize battery performance and safety . We then partner with thirdparty labs for testing and certification to ensure our products meet the standards .

Dragonfly Energy uses LiFePO4 ( lithium iron phosphate ) chemistry , which has better thermal stability than other lithium-ion batteries . LiFePO4 batteries can also with-

30 OPE + October 2024 www . OPE-Plus . com