UK-based batterytech pioneer Britishvolt held the promise of becoming the country’s Tesla, poised to fuel an industrial boom in the northeast with thousands of lithium-ion batteries for the automotive industry by 2024. Yet, fate had other plans, leading to its bankruptcy.
Professor Pam Thomas: A call to secure Britain’s battery breakthroughs
Chief Executive of the Faraday Institution, Professor Pam Thomas, advocates for Britain’s self-reliance in breakthrough battery technologies. In a bid to avoid dependence on foreign nations, particularly China, during the net-zero transition, she emphasizes establishing “sovereign capabilities” and domestic supply chains to bolster resilience against geopolitical challenges.
Jaguar Land Rover’s vision: The £4 Billion battery “gigafactory”
Jaguar Land Rover’s ambitious move unveils plans for a £4 billion battery “gigafactory” in Somerset. The goal? To manufacture a substantial 40 gigawatt hours of batteries annually, propelling the UK closer to its 2030 target of 100 gigawatt hours. Despite China’s dominance, Professor Thomas envisions a significant UK role in the industry’s future.
Sodium batteries and the quest for energy independence
Amidst China’s lead in sodium batteries, Professor Thomas champions homegrown solutions for static storage. As renewable energy integration surges, innovative technologies like sodium batteries hold the key to managing grid storage, reducing reliance on external sources.
Tees Valley Lithium gains momentum as Europe’s largest lithium refinery within Teesside Freeport. Aiming to import lithium feedstock from Australia and South America, the refinery sets the stage for producing premium battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate, bolstered by nearby offshore wind farms.
As the energy landscape transforms, Professor Pam Thomas and advocates like Paul Atherley drive the UK to seize its battery destiny. Their vision, encompassing game-changing gigafactories and strategic mineral supply chains, steers the nation toward a leading role in the global battery arena, igniting a sustainable future. Now, let’s explore battery startups securing funding in the UK. Let’s take a look at some of the the battery startups from the country that secured funding:
Addionics
Founded by Dr. Vladimir Yufit, Dr. Moshiel Biton and Farid Tariq in 2016, this London-based battery technology company has developed an innovative Smart 3D Current Collector for enhancing the performance and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. By redesigning the internal structure of batteries, Addionics aims to improve energy density, charging speed, and safety. This technology has the potential to revolutionise energy storage for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and renewable energy systems.
Zenobe Energy
It is a leading energy storage and services provider focusing on integrating battery storage solutions into various sectors, including transportation, renewable energy, and grid management. The London-headquartered company offers a range of services such as electric vehicle (EV) fleet electrification, grid balancing, and demand response. Founded by James Basden and Nicholas Beatty in 2017, Zenobe’s smart energy storage systems contribute to reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy efficiency.
Aceleron
Co-founded by Amrit Chandan and Carlton Cummins, Aceleron is a startup that specialises in sustainable and circular economy solutions for lithium-ion batteries. The company has partnered with Amdaris, a software development company, to develop Battery Management Systems (BMS) and software solutions that enable the repurposing, refurbishing, and recycling of batteries. Aceleron’s approach not only extends the lifespan of batteries but also reduces waste and promotes environmental sustainability.
Field
Field is an innovative battery technology startup that focuses on developing advanced battery materials to enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The company’s research and development efforts are centered around creating next-generation cathode materials that offer higher energy density and longer cycle life. Field’s innovations have the potential to significantly improve the capabilities of batteries used in various applications.
Nexeon
Nexeon is a pioneering battery materials company that specialises in silicon anode technology for lithium-ion batteries. Silicon anodes have the potential to increase energy density and extend battery life. Nexeon’s technology aims to address the limitations of traditional graphite anodes by incorporating silicon to enable higher energy storage capacity. This innovation is particularly valuable for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
Nexeon was founded by Dr. Scott Brown in 2005. Dr. Brown is a pioneer in the field of silicon anode technology and has been instrumental in driving Nexeon’s research and development efforts to create advanced battery materials for lithium-ion batteries.
