Octopus Energy Signs a Memorandum of Understanding With Ampace on Home Batteries
Octopus Energy and Xiamen Ampace Technology, a battery company formed by CATL and Amperex Technology Limited, signed a memorandum of understanding on 3 November to explore next-generation home batteries. It is an agreement to explore, not a product launch, and no models or prices were announced.
What the agreement covers
Octopus says the partners will combine Ampace's battery hardware and chemistry with Octopus's software, smart tariffs and virtual power plant capabilities. The stated aim is batteries that charge when energy is cleanest and cheapest and feed power back at peak times to reduce bills.
Research areas named in the announcement include sodium-ion technology, high-density cells and long-lifecycle systems. The collaboration will start with European markets where Octopus has retail energy operations. Ampace was formed in 2021 as a joint venture between CATL and ATL, according to Solar Power Portal.
How it relates to Nook
Octopus has already announced its Nook battery range for 2027. Solar Power Portal describes it as a 2 kWh plug-in model plus stackable wall-mounted units of 5 kWh or 10 kWh, and says the cell technology has not been disclosed. We could not confirm whether the Ampace work is linked to Nook or is aimed at later products. Our earlier report covers what was announced for Nook.
Octopus and CATL have a separate earlier project on battery swapping for heavy-duty vehicles in Europe, which the new agreement builds on.
What to take from it
An MoU is not binding on product timing. Sodium-ion batteries in particular are described as a research area, so do not expect them in homes soon. The practical point for buyers is the direction: suppliers want to tie hardware closely to their own tariffs and software.
That can be convenient, but it also means checking what happens to a battery if you switch supplier. Ask that before signing. In Britain, plug-in batteries are also not yet covered by the plug-in solar rules, so check the legal position for any socket-connected product. Our plug-in batteries page and guide on choosing an installed battery are good places to start.
Sources
- Octopus Energy: Battery giant CATL and Ampace team up with Octopus Energy to develop next-generation smart home batteries
- Solar Power Portal: Octopus in MoU with CATL-Amperex JV Ampace for home battery systems
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