Expansion of the battery market in Brazil heats up the industry and accelerates investments

The energy storage market is experiencing a period of accelerated expansion in Brazil, driven by the need to integrate renewable sources, the search for greater stability in the electrical system and the reduction of operating costs in different sectors of the economy. 

In this scenario, companies that already operated in providing critical solutions for sectors such as telecommunications, data centers, hospitals and industries began to direct their efforts towards also meeting the growing demand in the solar, commercial, industrial and agricultural energy markets. 

This is the case of Powersafe, one of the main Brazilian battery manufacturers, which in recent years has been expanding its portfolio and production capacity to serve the market. energy storage.

To understand how the company has positioned itself in this new scenario, what its strategies are, technologies used and growth expectations, Canal Solar spoke with André Ribeiro, Operations and Renewables Manager at Powersafe, who detailed the manufacturer's main movements and his vision for the future of the sector in Brazil.

What is the company's current battery production capacity in Brazil?

Powersafe Baterias Especiais is a Brazilian company with over 20 years of experience in the energy storage sector, standing out as one of the largest industries and distributors of batteries for special applications in South America, including data centers, hospitals and health centers, banking system, telecommunications and property security, among others. 

With operating units in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Goiás, the company has a diversified portfolio of over 400 products, serving various sectors, including telecommunications, finance, industry and, more recently, the solar energy market. In São Paulo, it has an administrative and commercial office and a distribution center of over 2.500 m², with capacity for 1.150 pallet positions.

In Santa Rita do Sapucaí (MG), it has a manufacturing plant together with a distribution center totaling more than 4.000 m², with capacity for 1.800 pallet positions and the possibility of expansion for new battery assembly lines. 

The company has been planning constant investments in 2025 to expand production capacity and research and development projects, aiming to meet the growing demand for energy storage systems. 

The company currently processes and introduces an average volume of 222 thousand kilos of batteries per month, which represents an average of 750 thousand batteries per year. It also has a stock of approximately 300 thousand batteries for immediate service to its customers in all areas of operation. These facilities allow Powersafe to meet national demand quickly and efficiently, in addition to enabling the expansion of its production capacity according to market needs.

How does the company see the increase in battery adoption since last year and what is the growth expectation?

In 2024, Powersafe announced its solid entry into the renewable energy market, developing a specific area focused on the sector, focusing on a portfolio of highly technological products for the most diverse types of projects and applications, which combine photovoltaic generation with storage systems. 

The manufacturer has a sales, marketing, engineering and services team to operate in the renewable energy sector, with the aim of increasing the representation of this segment in its revenue from 3% to 20% by 2026. This strategy includes investments in innovation, expansion of production capacity, research and development, testing and certification infrastructure, market training and qualification, in addition to strategic partnerships. 

The company is positioning itself in all the main events in the sector in 2025, with highlights including the Intersolar Nordeste fairs, which presented excellent results, Intersolar São Paulo, which will have a stand of over 100 m², and the Energy Storage and Green Hydrogen congress conceived by ABSOLAR in São Paulo in the second half of the year, in which Powersafe is the anchor sponsor of the event.

Powersafe is also an official sponsor of the Distributed Generation and Storage studies and research carried out by the consultancy Greener, which specializes in the renewable energy sector.

What are the technologies (lead acid, lithium, etc.) and what production steps are carried out by the company?

Powersafe offers a variety of battery technologies to meet different market needs, with over 400 products in its portfolio, which serve the most varied market sectors, such as telecommunications, hospitals, banking, data centers, technology, security and renewable energy. Among them, the main technologies used are:

• Lithium-Ion (LiFePO₄): High energy density, long service life of over 15 years, with a capacity of 6.000 cycles, low self-discharge rate and lower environmental impact;
• Lead-Acid: traditional technology widely used in various applications;
• Pure Lead: offers high reliability and performance in critical applications;
• Pure Carbon Lead: offers high reliability and superior performance in critical applications, as it contains added carbon in its composition, making recharging faster in operation.

The company owns the Getpower brand, which specializes in storage solutions with lithium, VRLA and ventilated batteries. It has models certified by Inmetro and approved by ANATEL, meeting the highest quality standards. In addition, it is the largest distributor in Brazil of the Freedom line, also with models certified by Inmetro.

What are the links in the storage battery segment chain?

Powersafe operates in several stages of the energy storage segment value chain:

• Manufacturing and Assembly: production of batteries of the most diverse technologies and application sectors;
• Testing and inspection laboratories: Powersafe has technical testing, inspection and training laboratories in its São Paulo and Minas Gerais units, with the most advanced product analysis equipment and professionals with the most advanced market know-how in the battery market;
• Distribution: distribution centers strategically located to serve the national market;
• Technical Services: engineering studies, battery bank sizing, installation, preventive and corrective maintenance, as well as laboratory tests.

The company also relies on the ECOSAFE program, the group's environmental arm focused on managing battery waste, in accordance with Conama Resolution No. 401/2008, demonstrating its commitment and concern for sustainability.

What types of batteries does the company have in its portfolio and for what needs? Does the company already offer BESS as a service in the country?

Powersafe's portfolio includes more than 400 products, meeting a variety of needs:

• Residential: storage systems for solar energy, ensuring autonomy and energy security;
• Commercial and Industrial: solutions for demand management, energy backup and integration with renewable sources, main application areas for BESS systems;
• Agro: the company has a portfolio and know-how to include storage solutions for the national agricultural sector, supporting the need for system backups and greater network stability;
• Specific Sectors: applications in telecommunications, data centers, hospital systems, non-automotive electric vehicles, among others.

The company also offers modular and scalable solutions, adaptable as energy demand grows.

The operation has been intensifying its presence in the retail market through a network of approved distributors. In addition, it already has a strategic partner focused on entering the BESS as a Service segment in a relevant way, expanding its presence in the energy storage market.

It is also worth noting that Powersafe is a pioneer in the market together with BV bank, as the first battery manufacturer in Brazil to have a credit line available for applications in renewable energy storage projects.

What are the main drivers for the adoption of storage systems?

The main factors driving the adoption of storage systems include:

• Energy Reliability: guarantee of continuous supply in areas with instability in the electrical grid;
• Integration of Renewables: facilitating the insertion of intermittent sources, such as solar and wind, into the energy matrix;
• Cost Reduction: savings on energy tariffs and consumption optimization;
• Sustainability: contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Powersafe recognizes these drivers and seeks to meet market demands with innovative and sustainable solutions.

What is the role of applications for the electrical sector in the company's demand? What are the next opportunities?

Powersafe recognizes the potential of its solutions in several applications in the electrical sector, including:

• Ancillary Services: support for the stability and reliability of the electrical grid;
• Demand Peak Management: Reduction of overloads and the need for infrastructure expansion;
• Integration with Renewable Sources: storage of generated energy for later use.

The company is also exploring opportunities in shared generation projects and in the agricultural, commercial and industrial sectors, where it sees potential for the implementation of photovoltaic systems integrated with battery banks.

Is the company participating in discussions on battery regulation in the electricity sector and on the capacity reserve auction?

Yes, the company is interested in expanding its operations in the energy market, aligning itself with the trends and needs of the sector. As such, the renewable energy team is constantly present at meetings, debates and events that discuss best practices for executing the capacity reserve auction.

Today the company is associated with organizations such as ABSOLAR (Brazilian Association of Photovoltaic Solar Energy) and ABSAE (Brazilian Association of Energy Storage), main discussion groups and monitoring of discussions on the topic in the energy sector.

On the 28th, the team was present in Brasília, at the ABSAE Global Summit, an event that was attended by the largest storage companies in Brazil and the world, relevant professionals in the sector and public bodies from Brazil, Chile, the United Kingdom and Australia, discussing the progress and trends for the market.

What positions does the company defend in these debates? What is needed to make these applications viable?

A company takes a collaborative stance in all initiatives aimed at advancing the regulation of the storage market in Brazil. It understands that well-structured regulation will bring benefits to all agents directly or indirectly linked to the energy sector, in addition to providing cost reduction to the end consumer, enabling a technological, safe product with high potential for economic and sustainable impact.

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