Boosting research into sustainable batteries in Europe

Made in Europe: The EU’s proposed new batteries regulation includes plans for more sustainable battery value chains. Research hub the Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) is leading a collaborative project bringing together leading universities, battery manufacturers and the automotive industry to develop next generation advanced lead batteries 

All battery technologies will have a key role to play as Europes moves up a gear to deliver a greener model of clean mobility.

By 2030 it is forecast that more than 80% of Europe’s car sales will be micro-hybrids. These cleaner vehicles, which utilise advanced lead batteries for vital on-board functions and start-stop functionality, deliver up to 10% in fuel savings and reductions in carbon emissions.

Innovative batteries are crucial for the continued growth of this key transition technology, with continuous demand enhanced performance and longer life.

The research that CBI is pioneering with Ford, Fraunhofer, TU Berlin and Moll will perform a series of experiments on lead battery test cells to deliver Dynamic Charge Acceptance (DCA) performance enhancements. The 18-month project will provide a thorough exploration of cell practices by exploring additive effects on DCA and high-temperature durability.

One of the most important technical parameters for batteries used in micro-hybrid vehicles is DCA, which is the ability of a battery to capture energy through instantaneous braking. Improving DCA is one of the central goals in CBI’s technical roadmap, and a chief focus for the lead battery industry.

The information generated from this project is not only applicable to the automotive field, it lso provides insights for batteries for utility and renewable energy storage applications. This really highlights the essential role lead batteries play in delivering clean mobility and energy storage, and ultimately a low carbon future.

Europe relies on lead batteries supporting various types of energy storage demand, from 16 MW frequency regulation installations providing stability to national electricity grids to small-scale microgrids powering Europe’s islands. The research underway with the team led by Ford will deliver vital insights into cycle life, a critical technical parameter for these applications.

Ford Research and Innovation Center Aachen

Read more for an outlook for batteries in 2021.

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