CLASS OF 2015
WORLD-GENERATION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 V.27 #1
10
Saft makes nickel-based, primary lithi-
um, lithium-ion and silver-based batteries.
Its batteries-nonrechargeable and recharge-
able-meet customers demands for weight
and size constraints and usage in varying
climatic conditions.
The Industry Battery Group (IBG) man-
ufactures rechargeable batteries for trans-
portation, stationary backup power and ener-
gy storage systems. Nickel-based batteries
represent the traditional expertise of Saft’s
Industry Battery Group, which has devel-
oped lithium-ion technology whose applica-
tions benefit from the smaller lighter, longer-
life and versatile batteries that Li-on offers.
The Specialty Battery Group (SBG)
manufactures primary and rechargeable
batteries for civil and military electronics
activities, space and defense. Saft’s
Specialty Battery Group leads in the
design, development and manufacture of
high-performance primary lithium and lithi-
um-ion battery systems (Li-on).
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is headquartered
in Paris with over 3,800 employees in 18
countries with 14 manufacturing sites and
30 sales offices.
SAFT IN US
World-Gen
was invited to tour the LEED
silver certified, 12 acre, 235,000 sq. ft.
brownfield Jacksonville, FL facility, home to
the world’s most advanced lithium-ion bat-
tery factory. The fully automated plant has
4,340 solar panels generating a third of the
plant’s power requirements.
World-Gen
interviewed Tom Alcide who
shared the “building block process” of the
Jacksonville factory.
“We have the capability to make cylin-
drical or prismatic cells that can be sold or
put into modules,” he said. “Modules can
be multiple voltages for energy or power.”
The process continues when modules are
installed in racking systems that can be put
into containers. He explained the dry room
operation which can be seen on a video on
world-gen.com.
“One of the things we do is work with
our customers to customize the products
they need,” Alcide said in conclusion.
2020 UNDER AB2514
Saft has received three contracts to
deliver 7.5 Mhw in 12 containers for energy
storage systems (ESS) to a utility in
California. California’s investor-owned utili-
ties are required to procure 1.3 GW of ESS
by 2020 under AB2514, and Saft’s well posi-
tioned for the planned 32 percent of distrib-
uted storage.
Under DOE ARRA funding, Saft was
selected to expand the manufacture of
advanced batteries for hybrid and electric
vehicles.
Saft has developed the “Advanced
Deployable Renewable Energy System,”
(ADRES) for the US Army. ADRES will
power mission-critical equipment by storing
energy produced by solar panels and wind
turbines in a 28 V Li-ion battery.
Saft also delivered a 10 MW,ESS for a
PV farm in Puerto Rico including a 10 year
warranty parking package in the summer
of 2014.
Saft is supplying an ESS for 12 MW’s to
Kauai Island Coop in Hawaii. The Saft bat-
tery system will store up to 4.63 Mwh and
provide 6 MW’s of power.
SAFT IN CHINA
Saft Zhuhai batteries for industry has
been serving the Chinese metering and
Electronic Toll Collection markets through
its advanced technology facility in Zhuhai
since 2006. The factory has just passed an
important milestone, as it has just produced
its 100 millionth primary lithium battery.
SAFT SALES
Saft’s 2013 sales were
€
624.2 million
from 4 segments:
Transportation:
back-up power for rail,
aviation and industrial vehicle traction (22%).
Stationary back-up power:
oil and
gas sector, industrial facilities, telecommuni-
cations networks and energy storage (37%).
Civil Activities:
powering utility
meters and electronic toll collection for
example, in space for satellites and space
launchers (25%).
Military Activities:
communications
systems, torpedoes, missiles and military
hybrid vehicles (16%).
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Saft invested
€
55 million in R&D repre-
senting nine percent of sales with 70 per-
cent going to lithium-ion technology now
entering its third and fourth generation.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Saft batteries are designed and made
compliant with environmental responsibili-
ties. Saft was the first battery supplier to
carry out a full Life Cycle Assessment on
primary lithium batteries for metering
devices. Batteries are collected and recy-
cled when possible.
SERVICES
Saft offers not only systems integration,
but also full turnkey solutions that include
installation, commissioning, operation,
training, maintenance and supply of spare
parts for its battery systems.
ABOUTTOM ALCIDE
Thomas Alcide is President of Saft
America, Inc. and has been Director and
General Manager of the SBG division since
2004.
Previously, he was the Director and
General Manager of the group’s lithium bat-
tery division from 2002 to 2004 and was the
Director and General Manager of the
Valdese Plant from 2000 to 2002.
President
Saft America
TOM ALCIDE
