TU Delft launches e4BatteryDelft. This platform investigates electrochemical storage of renewable energy. An important topic, because a major challenge in the current energy transition is the efficient and flexible storage of renewable energy. Batteries play an important role here.
e4Battery Delft aims to use its research to create a future-proof and sustainable value chain around batteries. Among other things, it focuses on developing new forms of electrochemistry that are both ecologically and economically viable. Value chains should also be established in Europe.
The aim of e4Battery Delft to improve battery performance, reduce dependence on critical raw materials. However, also consider using a circular design and being able to fully use, reuse and recycle batteries. The platform aims to arrive at battery systems that are smart, fully integrable, resilient, safe and economically feasible.
Bringing researchers together
To achieve this goal, e4Battery Delft brings together researchers, research infrastructure and both public and private partners. Within the platform, the parties work together on battery technology and thus aim to contribute to a sustainable future.
e4Battery Delft facilitates researchers in this regard. For instance, it provides an open network for sharing knowledge. It also provides support for the research that researchers carry out. In total, over a hundred researchers connected to eight facilities are involved in the platform. Their knowledge covers the entire battery value chain.
Facilities for testing and validating battery technology
TU Delft has several facilities within its own ecosystem for testing and validating various types of battery technology. As an example, the university cites the Battery Lab for material development, processing, assembly and testing around batteries.
However, consider also the Electrical Sustainable Power lab, which includes one digital twin and several spaces for testing batteries. A third example is the 24/7 autonomous 'living lab' at The Green Village, where TU Delft tests innovative battery systems.
'Research is still in its infancy'
One of the founders of e4Battery Delft is TU Delft professor Marnix Wagemaker. "Battery research has been around for a long time but you could say it is still in its infancy," says Wagemaker.
"A lot is still possible. Now we rely on critical elements such as cobalt, nickel and lithium. There are alternatives, but they don't work very well yet. We are looking at new materials that are less scarce and whose extraction has a lesser impact on the environment, but with equally good performance, so with which the electric car, for example, can drive just as far and charge just as fast. And we are looking at materials that are cheaper for storing wind or solar energy."
'Batteries can do much more than store energy'
Among other things, batteries play an important role in transport and storage of renewable energy. "But a battery can do much more than just store energy, it can also, for example, absorb peaks, or improve voltage quality or help prevent congestion," says Professor of Electrical Sustainable Energy and head of DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S) group Pavol Bauer.
Professor's research projects include looking at the role of batteries within the distribution grid and the battery as a means of improving voltage quality. But also think about making buildings energy-neutral using batteries and the role of battery-powered energy hubs for industry. Bauer: "We are now looking at airports, for example: how we can use batteries to make different vehicles there electric."
Two ways of recycling
University lecturer at the 3mE faculty and recycling expert Shoshan Abrahami is also involved in the research. She investigates the technical side of battery recycling. "Simply put, you have two ways to recycle batteries: the pyrometallurgical route and the hydrometallurgical route. The first (pyro is Greek for fire) involves heat: you melt the material. The second (hydro is Greek for water) goes with water or chemicals: you try to dissolve the material. In a sustainable future of battery recycling, we see an important role for the second route because it allows more raw materials to be recovered. Moreover, it is important that we become less dependent on countries like Russia, China and Congo, where the raw materials now come from, which is another reason why recycling is very important."
Geopolitics could jeopardise supply of raw materials
Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, specialising in critical materials and circular product design David Peck warns of the impact of geopolitical developments, which could jeopardise the supply of critical raw materials. Proprietary, advanced technology is needed to keep Europe prosperous and independent, and protected from external threats, argues Peck. Recycling, he says, is essential in this regard.
"Re-manufactured phones will be in the shop next to brand new phones. But they will be indistinguishable from each other," Peck said. Remanufacturing essentially buys time. "It doesn't solve the crisis around critical materials, but remanufacturing does give you more time to come up with solutions."
Further information is available here.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Dean Simone via Pixabay
