The vanguard battery technologies project NEXTBAT is making substantial progress towards its mission of speeding up a safe and sustainable electrification of transport and mobile applications in the EU.
Coordinated by VTT, one of Europe’s leading research institutions, the project has successfully rolled out its initiatives since it was launched in June 2023 and has initiated steps towards prototyping next-generation battery technologies. This momentum underscores NEXTBAT’s commitment to driving innovation and propelling advancements in sustainable electrification.
“There is a need for a battery industry to bring down the costs and, at the same time, increase performance. Simultaneously, we’re witnessing the rise of new technologies and materials. This scenario poses multiple challenges, prompting us to explore optimal ways to leverage them” notes Mikko Pihlatie, Research Professor at VTT and project coordinator.
One of these challenges is the demand for high-performance, safe battery systems. NEXTBAT technologies will enhance battery performance, including a 30-50% increase in energy density and a 25% reduction in battery weight using innovative lightweight materials. Additionally, battery management systems (BMS) will extend battery lifetime by up to 20% at an 80% state of health through innovative electronic sensing and actuating systems.
Prototyping next-generation battery technologies
Within the project, two prototypes will be manufactured: “The first prototype will focus on innovations aimed at increasing the energy density of battery designs, while the second emphasizes innovations to increase power density. Through joint analysis, our ambition is to conclude, combine design features, and align them with the diverse requirements of our targeted uses and applications” explains Mikko Pihlatie. Furthermore, safety guidelines and methodologies will be established through testing campaigns conducted by certified laboratories and end-users. The assessment of dismantling and reuse of BMS parts will be conducted alongside life cycle analysis.
A collaborative endeavor
Collaboration between industry players and research institutions is a pivotal aspect of NEXTBAT. “The project is in the middle of the technology readiness scale, that’s where research and industry need to meet to bridge the gap from research towards applications”, emphasizes the coordinator.
NEXTBAT gathers a strong consortium that brings together the experience and expertise from renowned research centers and SMEs. The partners involved represent six distinct EU countries – Finland, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, and Sweden – and are complemented by an associated partner from Switzerland.
Stay tuned for updates on NEXTBAT’s progress as it shapes the future of sustainable battery systems in our official social media profiles: LinkedIn and X.