Fluidic Energy

Fluidic Energy, founded in 2006 and later rebranded as NantEnergy in 2018, specializes in the development and manufacturing of rechargeable zinc-air battery technology. The company emerged from research conducted at Arizona State University by co-founder Cody Friesen, an associate professor of materials science and engineering. Friesen's work aimed to overcome the historical limitations of zinc-air batteries, specifically by solving issues related to dendrite formation and developing stable, non-water-based electrolytes to make the batteries rechargeable.

The firm's core product is a long-duration energy storage system built around its proprietary zinc-air batteries. This technology utilizes oxygen from the atmosphere as an oxidant, which allows for a high energy density at a potentially lower cost compared to traditional batteries. The system is a vertically integrated solution, encompassing the battery, electronics, software, and packaging to provide remote monitoring and site management. It is engineered to deliver backup power for extended periods, from 4 to 24 hours or more, making it a viable alternative to diesel generators and lead-acid batteries, particularly in harsh environments and areas with unreliable grids.

Fluidic Energy's business model targets markets where consistent power is critical but unavailable. Key client sectors include telecommunications for backup power at cell sites and rural electrification through microgrids. The company has focused on deploying its systems in Southeast Asia and Latin America, with Indonesia being a significant market where it partnered on a large-scale rural electrification project to power remote islands. Revenue is generated through the sale of these energy storage systems and an "Energy-as-a-Service" model. Significant milestones include a strategic partnership with Caterpillar in 2015 to collaborate on microgrid solutions, which included an equity investment. By early 2018, the company had deployed thousands of systems globally. In January 2018, a majority stake was acquired by billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong's Nant Capital, leading to the rebranding as NantEnergy. Following the acquisition, the company's assets were later acquired by Form Energy in 2021 after NantEnergy was shut down.

Keywords: zinc-air battery, energy storage, microgrids, rural electrification, long-duration storage, backup power, renewable energy, telecommunications infrastructure, off-grid power, clean technology, battery technology, sustainable energy, distributed energy, NantEnergy, Cody Friesen, rechargeable batteries, grid solutions, energy-as-a-service, energy security, emerging markets