Lithium-ion battery Pilot Plant
The KKU Lithium-ion cell battery manufacturing pilot plant operates under the concept of utilizing rice husks and rice husk ash to produce suitable nano-silicon for use as anodes in Li-ion batteries. This makes lithium-ion batteries more efficient, store more energy per unit weight, and so that they can be fast charged.
The KKU pilot plant has a production capacity of approximately 2 MWh/year, which is equivalent to the production of the batteries used in 1000 electric motorcycles. Rice husks are used as the starting material for the production of nano-silicon, which can be used as anode components of batteries. Furthermore, nano-silica can be used in other industrial applications.
Additionally, the technology relies on rice husks and rice husk ash as a starting material. As such, it can also enhance the value and value chain of rice in Thailand because nanosilicon and nanosilica are high-value materials. To achieve maximum benefit, KKU will purchase rice husks from a network of farmers who produce organic or chemical-free rice in Khon Kaen and nearby provinces. This will generate higher income for farmers than selling paddy rice in the traditional way. It also encourages farmers to grow rice that reduces the use of harmful chemicals.
