BATTERY 2030+ allocates 40.5M Euro for most visionary battery research program

The European research initiative BATTERY 2030+, of which RECHARGE is a core partner, is now getting going. The ambition is to make Europe a world-leader in the development and production of the batteries of the future. These batteries need to store more energy, have a longer life, and be safer and more environmentally friendly than today’s batteries in order to facilitate the transition to a more climate-neutral society. The project is led from Uppsala University. “We’re finally up and running! This is an important long-term research investment in the field of batteries that will strengthen Europe’s research position and contribute to having an industry that can manufacture the batteries of the future,” says Professor Kristina Edström, Uppsala University, who is the coordinator of BATTERY 2030+. “We have been working for several years with the roadmap on which we base our research efforts, and which we presented in March this year. Now the various research projects are starting and we are making sure that our ideas result in new knowledge and new products – and of course in better batteries.” Starting on 1 September, this major initiative consists of seven projects with a total budget of EUR 40.5 million from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. BATTERY 2030+ is a large research environment, with Sweden and Uppsala University coordinating the overall activities. The goal is to create more environmentally friendly and safer batteries with better performance, greater storage options and longer life. The current research projects are operating in three different areas:

1. Development of a European infrastructure platform to combine large-scale calculations and experimental studies to map the complex reactions that take place in a battery.
2. Development and integration of sensors that examine and report on the battery’s health in real time.
3. Development of self-healing components that extend battery life and improve safety.

Facts about the projects: BIG-MAP (www.big-map.eu), led by Professor Tejs Vegge, Technical University of Denmark, is a project that will develop AI-assisted methods to accelerate the discovery of new materials and battery concepts. It is based on creating new computational models and experimental methods that can go hand in hand towards an understanding of the complex reactions that take place within the battery. It seeks to understand which electrode materials and electrolytes can be best combined to get a battery to store as much energy as possible or to be able to charge quickly in different situations. The list of partners includes academic and industrial leaders, as well as large-scale research infrastructures in Europe, such as synchrotrons and neutron facilities as well as high-performance computer centres. INSTABAT, led by Dr. Maud Priour, CEA France, where four embedded physical sensors (optical fibers with Fiber Bragg Grating and luminescence probes, reference electrode and photo-acoustic gas sensor) and two virtual sensors (based on electro-chemical and thermal reduced models) will be developed to perform reliable in operando monitoring of battery cell key parameters. SENSIBAT, led by Jon Crego, Ikerlan in Spain, will create sensors that measure batteries’ internal temperature, pressure, conductivity, and impedance. Such sensors will be integrated in a battery system and will allow the development of advanced battery state algorithms. The results will be used to achieve more accurate control and increased performances of the battery throughout its lifetime. SPARTACUS, led by Gerhard Domann, Fraunhofer ISC, Germany, will develop integrated acousto-mechanical and thermal sensors and combine them with advanced impedance spectroscopy to detect and understand reactions that lead to battery degradation. This comprehensive sensor solution will enable advanced battery management that allows for fast charging of battery modules without any substantial negative impact on lifetime and safety. BAT4EVER, led by Dr. Maitane Berecibar, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, aims to develop and study a new type of Li-ion batteries that integrates self-healing polymers in silicon anodes, core-shell structured cathodes and electrolytes. The self-healing batteries of BAT4EVER will tolerate the micro damages and compensate for element loses during multiple recharging cycles. They will be safer and more durable as well as store and retain more energy than today’s batteries by introducing sophisticated healing mechanisms. HIDDEN is led by Dr Marja Vilkman, VTT, Finland. The project will study new types of electrolytes and separators with ‘self-healing’ properties. The challenge is to make solid-phase batteries with lithium metal as the negative electrode, to increase the battery’s capacity. All projects will run for three years starting 1 September this year. The total budget is EUR 40.5 million. More projects – which will thus expand the project portfolio – are currently being planned within Horizon Europe at the EU level. View the BATTERY 2030+ roadmap: “Inventing the Sustainable Batteries of the Future – Research Needs and Future Actions”.