Batteries Europe— a technology and innovation platform “to drive research and innovation, knowledge transfer and competitiveness across the European battery value chain”— has been launched by the European Commission.
The move aims to “spur development of battery projects at both pan-EU and national levels”.
The €1 million (US$1.13m) project will be operated on behalf of the Commission by sustainable energy investment firm InnoEnergy, in cooperation with the EuropeanEnergy Research Alliance (EERA) and the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE), and supported by project partners Zabala and Clerens Consulting.
Batteries Europe will, over the next three years, “facilitate the coordination of efforts undertaken by public and private partners and other initiatives involved in the battery research and innovation activities”.
Diego Pavia (pictured), CEO of InnoEnergy, said: “Energy storage is the linchpin technology for the clean energy system for the future. Batteries Europe will bring about a step-change in the way we collaborate, from mining, refining, design and manufacture, to digitalisation and recycling.”
Last October, the European Union pledged to throw additional cash at projects that support plans for an EU-wide battery cell manufacturing industry to compete with Asia.