Base year costs for utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are based on a bottom-up cost model using the data and methodology for utility-scale BESS in (Ramasamy et al.
Where will lithium batteries be made in Buenos Aires?
State company Y-TEC, the tech arm of YPF, will open the first lithium battery cell factory in September, in La Plata, the capital of Buenos Aires province. Another plant, five times bigger, will kick off in Santiago del Estero in 2024.
If Argentina manages to bring all of projects to production, the country would produce up to 1.5 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent per year, exporting around US$30 billion. This scenario could be achieved by 2040, according to Dreizzen's estimates.
Argentina Lithium & Energy is also a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management team that is a pioneer in the mineral exploration industry of Argentina and has operated there since 1993. The Grosso Group's primary focus is on creating investor value by fostering the growth of its publicly listed member companies.
Why is Argentina launching a lithium battery plant?
A testament to this forward-thinking approach is the imminent launch of its premier lithium battery plant. This venture, realized in partnership with the U.S.-based Livent Corp, underscores Argentina's ambition to be a comprehensive player in the global lithium ecosystem.
In the case of lithium, Y-TEC signed a contract with American company Livent, which extracts the mineral in Catamarca and, for the first time, sold part of its production in Argentina. According to Salvarezza, for industrialization to grow in scale, part of the production ought to be sold on the local market.
Does Argentina have a future beyond just extracting raw lithium?
Argentina envisions a future beyond just extracting raw lithium. With a focus on adding value at every step, the country is rapidly advancing in lithium processing and manufacturing sectors. A testament to this forward-thinking approach is the imminent launch of its premier lithium battery plant.