HE3DA: Battery factory construction in Horní Suchá, Czechia

A Saturday trip on the topic: „What is the status of construction of the HE3DA battery factory at the site of the former František mine in Horní Suchá?“

In the discussion below my article on energy storage on oEnergetice, the subject of HE3DA batteries developed by Mr Jan Procházka came up. He is planning to build a large “Magna Energy Storage” (MES) factory in Horní Suchá for his batteries. These are lithium batteries based on 3D spatial electrodes using lithium nanomaterials.

The question arose as to how I view this issue and the prospects for the project. My answer was that I would very much like it to become a reality. Not least because Horní Suchá is near Havířov, my hometown. Moreover, successful businesses are greatly needed in a region struggling with the decline of mining. On the other hand, based on the information available on the project, I remain rather sceptical for now.

I am not an expert in battery systems, and even such an expert would need access to the specific equipment and the opportunity to thoroughly examine and analyse it, as well as the relevant test equipment and operations, in order to make an informed assessment of the HE3DA system. Moreover, even excellent equipment does not necessarily mean that the project will succeed from an investment, management and economic perspective.

My sceptical view is based on a review of the company’s website and other available information. I would expect to find an overview of experience from battery tests and their trial use in various applications, including references. Such data would be ideal advertising for future users and should be available before the factory starts up. Before the large factory itself, I would also expect a pilot facility already producing commercial batteries. Future major customers could then test them on a small scale. I would also expect the company website to provide information about other collaborators, what they do and what results they have achieved. Above all, there should be various details about various tests. There are not many of these; one is, for example, an article here.

In the discussion, there was a request for someone living nearby to investigate the situation at the construction site of the future battery factory. Coincidentally, this Wednesday I gave a lecture on developments in particle physics in the universe and at the LHC accelerator at the Ostrava Planetarium. I therefore took leave for the following working days and went to visit my father in Havířov. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. It rained on Friday, so I did not make my walking trip to the site of the former František mine in Horní Suchá, now a technology centre, until Saturday 15 September.

The latest photos I found online from the site were from June. Compared with them, there was not much visible progress at first glance on 15 September. However, the company has just announced the completion of the roof, and a number of necessary works were certainly carried out inside and are not immediately visible. Very positively, work was continuing on the hall even on Saturday, although there were only a few workers. This, however, corresponds to the construction commencement notice posted at the site. It says that there will be a maximum of 25 workers there. As mentioned, construction work is now also largely taking place inside. Construction began on 19 March 2018, and the assembly hall with its administrative section should be completed by 15 March 2019. In my opinion, the state of work corresponds to this deadline. Installation of the interior equipment, namely the battery production lines and robots, can then begin. Although I remain sceptical about the project, construction work on the factory hall and buildings is proceeding roughly according to the declared schedule. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that things will continue in a similar way.

Series of photographs of the MES factory (source: V. Wagner):

Featured photograph: The information board also shows that I am at the construction site of the MES (Magna Energy Storage) factory (source: V. Wagner).