Introduction

Ever since the inception of renewable energy technology, the biggest challenge faced has been the efficient and effective storage of power. The West Midlands is leading the way in the research, testing, manufacture and recycling of batteries for deployment within energy systems and new transportation.

The £130 million UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) is a pioneering concept in the race to develop battery technology for the transition to a greener future. The unique facility provides the missing link between battery technology, which has proved promising at laboratory or prototype scale, and successful mass production. Based in Coventry, the facility welcomes manufacturers, entrepreneurs, researchers and educators, and can be accessed by any organisation with existing or new battery technology if that technology will bring green jobs and prosperity to the UK.

The Univeristy of Birmingham are involved in the Re-LiB project (Reuse & Recycling of Lithium Ion Batteries), part of the Faraday Institute’s Battery Challenge looking into the sustainable management of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries in the automotive industry.

HORIBA MIRA’s comprehensive battery development centre, enables end-to-end engineering and test solutions for cell, modules and complete battery packs. Its state-of-the-art facilities include a new £1.5m battery development facility, featuring a large Climatic Vibration Laboratory and the UK’s first Battery Abuse Facility – enabling battery charging and discharging whilst in use.

Aceleron is a Birmingham-based developer of sustainable and reusable batteries. They manufacture lithium ion batteries that are fully serviceable, upgradeable and recyclable, negating the challenge of waste from lithium-ion batteries. This circular economy approach could be vital in tackling the anticipated 11 million tonnes of battery wasted over the next 20 years globally. Aceleron are also advancing research into ‘end-of-life’ battery cell and module repurposing, whilst offering immediate reuse opportunities for waste battery packs to help reduce carbon emissions and underpin the clean energy revolution.