The Spanish research institute CIDETEC Energy Storage will lead a consortium of 16 partners under the Horizon Europe program to deploy Gen4b solid-state batteries for mobility applications on a large scale. A research project with high hopes, as competition from the Asian battery market grows ever stronger.
Liquid electrolyte-based lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are considered the most well-established technology for transport electrification and are likely to remain the preferred option in the coming years. However, it is projected that the improvements in this technology will gradually decelerate towards the end of the decade when they approach their theoretical energy density limits. Therefore, it is imperative to diversify the battery technology offer along with the materials used for its production to reinforce Europe’s battery industrial backbone.
In this sense, solid-state batteries (SSB) with Li metal anode (LiM-SSB, Gen4b) are considered the next major milestone in the industry by policymakers and mobility original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) due to their enhanced intrinsic safety, durability, their potential to improve fast-charging capability and extending driving range through higher energy density.
SOLVE aims to overcome the obstacles to the large-scale deployment of Gen4b solid-state batteries for mobility applications. Over the next 48 months, the project will be supported by a consortium of 16 stakeholders across the entire battery value chain, with a special focus on:
- Achieving high-performing, cost-effective, and safe Gen4b solid-state batteries (Li-metal and anode-free) with nominal capacity of 20 Ah.
- Developing advanced materials and cell components with improved electrochemical performance and enhanced safety.
- Demonstrating highly sustainable, circular manufacturing for the selected advanced materials at Gigafactory scale, in accordance with EU Battery Regulation.
- Reaching an improvement in safety at representative 10-20 Ah cell level and 0.25 kWh mini-module level suitable for mobility applications.
- Disseminating the obtained results and creating training activities contributing to the EU Battery landscape.
The project will be led by 16 organisations (companies, universities, research institutes, associations) from 8 European countries: CIDETEC Energy Storage (ES), SAFT (FR), Arkema (FR), Centro Ricerche Fiat (IT), Pipistrel (SI), CEA (FR), Pulsedeon (FI), Accurec recycling (DE), Delfort (AT), Politecnico Di Torino (IT), Tampere Korkeakoulusaati (FI), Fraunhofer IKTS (DE), EMPA (CH), Oerlikon (CH), LOMARTOV(ES), Tenerrdis (FR).
