EP 23 — American Lithium Energy’s William Hadala on Scaling Lithium Battery Production in the US
On this week's episode of the DIB Innovators podcast, David speaks with William Hadala Jr, VP of Strategy at American Lithium Energy. William shares his remarkable journey from serving in the Air Force to becoming a key leader in the lithium battery industry.
He discusses the challenges and strategies involved in scaling battery cell manufacturing in the US, emphasizing the importance of optimizing processes and efficiency. William also addresses the need for honesty and transparency within the industry and the critical role of environmental considerations in energy production.
Topics discussed:
- Responsibilities of a VP of Strategy, including overseeing manufacturing processes and expansion into mega- and gigafactories.
- Strategies for enhancing efficiency, yield, and overall optimization in lithium battery production.
- The challenges and importance of bringing battery cell manufacturing back to the United States.
- Addressing the environmental impact of lithium battery production and the industry's responsibility towards sustainability.
- The importance of integrity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in leadership roles.
- Securing close to $30 million in government programs tied to the Department of Defense.
- Navigating the divide between technological innovation and environmental sustainability within the energy sector.
- Insights into the future of lithium battery technology and its applications in various industries, including military and civilian sectors.
Guest Quotes:
“We're constantly being pushed to provide the next generation technology for the warfighter. And because we've had a historical track record of success and very high energy density, power and safety, we've just been brought in to programs over the years where we've had *extreme success. But beyond the energy density, the powerful cells that we have, we also are safest cells on the market globally.”
“But I'm one of the opponents that are saying that I don't see lithium ion batteries dropping the price completely that become, you know, very low-cost commodity items. I see the opposite.”
“And so as we foster a culture of transparency and, like I call it, open communication and collaborative ideation; this is not about one person. This is not about how great I am and what we're doing in the world. But this is really about making a better future for us all. And batteries are in everything.”
“And so for me, we're heading into a world of space. Our phones, 6G, everyone, is satellite-enabled phones, that's a lot of satellites we're going to be deploying with ground-based segments. So to be involved in that, for me, I feel like a little kid and so blessed to get to do this, but it's a great level of responsibility, especially when I go and speak at places like the Pentagon. It's a, it's an eye opener, and it's humbling at the same time”
Get in touch with William Hadala:
Email: william.hadala@americanlithiumenergy.com
Get in touch with your host, David Graff:
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