€150 million to sustainable battery research
Horizon Europe, the European Union's research programme, is set to provide up to €220 million funding for projects under Horizon Europe topics for the BATT4EU Partnership an initiative for developing advanced green battery technology. Several of these projects will receive further support by the Battery 2030+ project coordinated by Uppsala University, Sweden, with the goal to make Europe the world leader in the development and production of green batteries.
With global battery demand forecasted to exceed 1700 GWh in 2025 (McKinsey), Battery 2030+ aims to foster sustainable solutions in battery science and technology. The initiative focuses on designing green, efficient, durable, and safe batteries.
Under the leadership of Professor Kristina Edström at Uppsala University, six new Battery 2030+ projects are coordinated under the CSA (Communication and Support Action). These projects will focus on sensors, and mechanisms for self-healing and electrochemical interfaces. An additional ten projects are set to start in the next year thanks to a funding of approximately €60 million, in 2025 nine new projects are anticipated with a funding of €60 million. Some of them will include more applied research areas like production and recycling, some will be more data science driven.
“The ultimate goal is to better understand the dynamic processes within the battery to further advance technological growth in this vital field. EU's commitment to sustainable energy solutions is evident in Horizon Europe's continued support of these trailblazing projects“, says Professor Edström.
Focus on self-healing mechanisms
Three of the projects focus on sensing and self-healing mechanisms for improved battery reliability and performance. These are, Phoenix led by Maitane Berecibar, Vrije universitet i Bryssel (VUB), Salamander led by Yuxiu Lai at the Institute for Energy Technology in Norway (IFE) and Healingbat led by Stefan Palzer at Dortmunds Technical University.
The other three will investigate the complex interfaces between the electrolyte and the electrodes (anode and cathode) in the battery. They are, Opera led by Celia Polop at the University Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Opincharge led by Santhana Eswara at LIST (Luxemburg Institute for Science and Technology) and Ultrabat led by Martin Meedeom Nielsen at DTU (Technical University of Denmark).
Elin Bäckström
Battery 2030+
Battery 2030+ is a pioneering European research initiative making strides to develop the batteries of the future. Their focus is on green, high-performing, and long-lasting batteries instrumental in the transition to a carbon-neutral society.