Australian portable battery survives -76°F to 140°F to power US troops anywhere

Australian battery and electrification company 3ME Technology has been selected by the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit to demonstrate a portable battery system designed to provide power for military equipment in demanding field conditions. The firm will deliver its EdgeVOLT portable energy storage system under the Portable Resilient Integrated Storage Module (PRISM) program. The prototype effort is aimed at developing deployable power systems that can support defense operations without relying as heavily on conventional fuel-based generators. EdgeVOLT is a rugged, modular battery system designed to provide portable power for communications equipment, sensors, field infrastructure, autonomous platforms and other mission equipment. Its scalable design allows power to be deployed where it is needed in remote or difficult operating environments. The PRISM effort will include the standard EdgeVOLT configuration and a cold-weather version using battery cells from South 8 Technologies. The LiGas cells are designed to operate across a temperature range of -76°F to 140°F, giving the system a wide operating envelope for extreme environments. Battery tackles extreme temperatures The cold-weather variant is aimed at one of the practical problems faced by portable power systems: maintaining reliable performance when temperatures move far outside normal operating conditions. South 8’s LiGas technology uses liquefied-gas electrolytes, which the companies say are engineered for operation in extreme temperatures. Integrated into EdgeVOLT, the cells will be tested as part of the PRISM prototype program rather than simply demonstrated as a standalone battery technology. For military users, portable energy storage can support equipment that needs electricity away from fixed infrastructure. Communications systems, sensors and autonomous platforms can all require continuous power while operating far from conventional electrical grids. “This award is an important opportunity for 3ME Technology to demonstrate how Australian-developed energy systems can help address power and endurance challenges for defense users,” said Justin Bain, CEO at 3ME Technology. “We are proud to support the Defense Innovation Unit program and to contribute our experience in mission-ready power solutions to this rapid prototype to production effort.” Portable power for missions The EdgeVOLT system is also intended for emergency response and remote industrial applications, where fuel-based generators can be difficult to transport, operate, or resupply. The PRISM selection gives the battery system an opportunity to move from an existing commercial technology toward a defense-focused prototype. The program is being conducted through the Defense Innovation Unit, which works with commercial technology companies to accelerate capabilities for U.S. national security applications. 3ME Technology is an Australian-owned battery and electrification company headquartered in Newcastle, New South Wales. Its participation also reflects the technology-sharing goals of AUKUS Pillar II, which focuses on cooperation among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States on advanced defense capabilities. The company said the EdgeVOLT architecture is designed to improve energy resilience and operational endurance by allowing users to deploy stored electricity directly where it is required. For the PRISM program, the key test will be whether the system can deliver dependable portable power across the harsh conditions and demanding missions it is designed to support.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.