Romeo Power Technology’s new factory is slated to produce 1 GWh by the end of 2017 and will quadruple capacity to 4 GWh by 2018. Spearheaded by Romeo’s Chief Production Officer Mark Schwager who previously oversaw Tesla’s gigafactory development and design, the new facility now manufactures what the company claims is the most powerful and energy-dense battery packs in the world.
All Romeo lithium-ion battery packs for EVs and stationary applications are designed, engineered, tested and produced on site, and the facility features the only research and development and testing lab on the West Coast. The battery packs are designed and optimized based on specific power and energy density needs, ranging in size from 1 kWh to 1 MWh.
“Our people aren’t assemblers, they’re problem-solvers, forging the way to a sustainable future,” said Schwager. “Our mission to advance energy technology has never been more critical.”
The battery packs produced by Romeo are the most energy dense on the market. According to Romeo, “They charge faster and go farther than the current packs in some of the most popular electric vehicles on the road.”
Romeo is also helping businesses reduce their utility bills with stationary energy storage solutions that change the way energy is consumed. By harvesting electricity at night when it’s cheaper, businesses can save money and reduce demand at peak times, helping the grid remain stable.
Today, there are more than 1 billion people on the planet who lack access to safe and affordable electricity. When the sun goes down they live in darkness. And when they cook they’re forced to use fuels that pollute the air they breathe in their homes.
“The success of the products we make right here in Vernon will help fund our efforts to provide more affordable and sustainable products to the people in developing nations,” said Romeo co-founder and CEO Michael Patterson. “There’s a lot of work ahead, and 2023 is not that far off. But today we prove that hard work, passion, and vision pay off. Today we celebrate the hard work that got us here, and the people behind it."
Photo: L-R: Chief Production Officer Mark Schwager, CEO Mike Patterson, Vernon Mayor Melissa Ybarra