The electric vehicle trend is clear. But it highlights a more general issue: energy storage. We are headed for a world of smart-everything materials, which means cloud-this-and-that, portable digital reality, carbon-neutral barriers to investment, and a constant need to be connected, mobile, and cloud-driven.
The entire equation rests on a foundation of batteries. The one thing all of it has in common is a reliance on power divorced from cords and crude oil.
That means, ultimately, that power is generated from some sustainable collection method – sunlight, wind, water, hydrogen, fission, or some other similarly carbon-neutral or carbon-negative process. That power then needs to be stored in some kind of chamber that is portable (a battery). And then that power needs to be of a form such that it can be efficiently accessed and used to drive our activities without much deterioration in potency.
No cords. No crude. No coal. No harmful waste.
According to a report by the U.S. Department of Energy, analysts believe the mobility storage demands in 2030 will reach 0.8 to 3.0 TWh, driven by light EVs. That suggests innovators in the battery space represent one of the most promising and exciting investment opportunities going, which points to stocks such as KULR Technology Group Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:KULR), Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB), Quantumscape Corp (NYSE:QS), and Romeo Power Inc (NYSE:RMO).
KULR Technology Group Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:KULR) develops, manufactures and licenses next-generation carbon fiber thermal management technologies for batteries and electronic systems. One might see it as something like a hedge for L-Ion battery technology by removing downside risk for EV manufacturers through beneficially shifting the probability of negative battery events. That makes it a very interesting player in the space because it has a universally viable niche with almost no real competition.
The company offers lithium-ion battery thermal runaway shields; fiber thermal interface materials; phase change material heatsinks; HYDRA TRS battery storage bags; internal short circuit device; and CRUX cathodes. Its technologies are used in electric vehicles and autonomous driving systems, artificial intelligence and cloud computing, and energy storage and 5G communication technologies. It developed some of its technology solutions as part of its partnership with NASA.
KULR Technology Group Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:KULR) most recently announced the agenda and registration information for the Company’s Inaugural 2021 KULR Battery Solutions Day. The virtual event will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT.
According to the company’s release, this event is designed to provide a more complete picture of the Company’s technology, as well as addressable market opportunities, to both shareholders and customers. KULR plans to announce and exhibit customer demonstrations at the event, in addition to highlighting its suite of products. Over the summer, the Company expects its customers will make their own public announcements of KULR’s products ranging from Energy Storage Solutions to Drone Battery Packs to Battery Recycling. Hence Battery Solutions Day provides the ideal platform to demonstrate the Company’s products along with showcasing its new developments in battery intelligence software and analytics, and new battery design architecture, to the general public. At the end of the Company’s presentation, through an interactive Q&A, participants can engage with a panel of KULR Technology Group executives.
“As product launch announcements continue for the rest of 2021, early Fall will be a great time to geek out with our shareholders on the technology part of our business,” said KULR CEO Michael Mo. “KULR’s Battery Solutions Day can be a great platform for us to really connect with our core base of shareholders and customers who are enthusiastic about our technologies.”
KULR Technology Group Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:KULR) shares have been moving higher over recent weeks as investors start to discover the name. The stock was recently upgraded to the NYSE marketplace and was awarded a key patent. It has top tech developed in partnership with NASA. It is a stock to watch now that investors above the OTC level finally have a chance to appraise it.
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) is a battery player on the materials side. The company operates in three segments: Lithium, Bromine Specialties, and Catalysts.
The Lithium segment offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and value-added lithium specialties, as well as reagents, such as butyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride for applications in lithium batteries for consumer electronics and electric vehicles, high performance greases, thermoplastic elastomers for car tires, rubber soles, plastic bottles, catalysts for chemical reactions, organic synthesis processes, life science, pharmaceutical, and other markets.
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) recently announced today the release of its annual global Sustainability Report. This year’s report lays out meaningful and achievable targets for greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
“Albemarle is a values-driven organization that is committed to doing the right things the right way, and sustainability is a key to our success,” said Kent Masters, Albemarle CEO. “Our 2020 report illustrates the progress we made with our sustainability initiatives and incorporates our new targets, which are aimed at reducing energy and water use. Our new climate strategy also outlines how we intend to work with our key stakeholders and actively pursue operational efficiencies to help create a safer and more sustainable world.”
Even in light of this news, ALB hasn’t really done much of anything over the past week, with shares logging no net movement over that period.
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) generated sales of $829.3M, according to information released in the company’s most recent quarterly financial report. That adds up to a sequential quarter-over-quarter growth rate of -5.7% on the top line. In addition, the company is battling some balance sheet hurdles, with cash levels struggling to keep up with current liabilities ($569.9M against $953.3M, respectively).
QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS) bills itself as a leader in developing next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for use in electric vehicles.
The company’s mission is to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future.
QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS) recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. to select the location of their joint-venture solid-state battery pilot-line facility by the end of 2021. The companies currently contemplate Salzgitter, Germany for the location. The pilot-line facility, QS-1, will initially be a 1-gigawatt hour (GWh) battery cell commercial production plant for electric vehicle batteries. QuantumScape and Volkswagen intend to expand production capacity by a further 20 GWh at the same location.
“Our goal has been to bring our solid-state lithium-metal batteries to market as soon as possible,” said Jagdeep Singh, CEO and co-founder of QuantumScape. “This joint venture brings together QuantumScape’s core battery technology with Volkswagen’s deep understanding of high-volume, high-quality production, and maximizes our ability to bring this technology into industrial production.”
And the stock has been acting well over recent days, up something like 5% in that time. Shares of the stock have powered higher over the past month, rallying roughly 19% in that time on strong overall action.
QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE:QS) had no reported sales in its last quarterly financial data. In addition, the company has a strong balance sheet, with cash levels far exceeding current liabilities ($1.5B against $21.4M).
Romeo Power Inc (NYSE:RMO) bills itself as “an energy technology leader delivering large-scale electrification solutions for complex commercial applications.”
It’s a SPAC deal in the EV supply space that makes battery packs for class 4-8 trucks and buses and high-performance vehicles, along with other commercial vehicles.
Romeo Power Inc (NYSE:RMO) recently announced the appointment of seasoned executive leader Kerry A. Shiba to the role of Chief Financial Officer, effective July 6, 2021. Mr. Shiba brings more than 30 years of financial expertise to the Romeo Power team including extensive public company management experience. In connection with this appointment, current CFO Lauren Webb will transition to a new role as Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer where she will develop, implement, and manage Romeo Power’s corporate strategy and business development efforts.
“We are all thrilled to welcome Kerry to our team of leaders at Romeo Power,” said Lionel Selwood, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Romeo Power. “Kerry’s impressive career and his track record of optimizing financial performance and operations at billion dollar public companies stood out to us as we considered adding to our executive team. With Kerry’s financial leadership, I am confident Romeo Power can successfully scale our operations as we continue to transform the commercial and industrial transportation industry.”
Even in light of this news, RMO hasn’t really done much of anything over the past week, with shares logging no net movement over that period. Shares of the stock have powered higher over the past month, rallying roughly 15% in that time on strong overall action.
Romeo Power Inc (NYSE:RMO) had no reported sales in its last quarterly financial data. In addition, the company has a strong balance sheet, with cash levels far exceeding current liabilities ($287.5M against $19.7M).
