New battery tech coming to market

Xerotech’s Hibernian battery system

Technology company Xerotech has launched a modular battery platform, which could potentially be used across an entire range of electrically-powered construction equipment.

Combining seven variants of modules with a choice of battery cell chemistry, the Hibernium system can range in power from 15kWh up to 300kWh, rising in 5kWh increments.

This, says Xerotech, allows for use in a range of equipment, from light utility vehicles up to 400 tonne dump trucks.

When on the market, the Hibernium platform is also expected to be cheaper than current battery options and boast reduced lead times (between one and three months, on average), due to its component commonality.

Designed to suit harsh duty cycles of construction equipment, the system uses a proprietary liquid thermal management and safety technology called Xerotherm, which prevents overheating during extended use.

Currently, Xerotech batteries are undergoing public trials within European mining and construction operations. This summer, the company says further trials will take place on battery-powered loaders, drilling jumbos and shotcrete spraying equipment.

Xerotech recently opened an R&D centre on the west coast of Ireland and has announced plans to scale up its manufacturing process to fully automated serial production.