Non-lithium-based batteries have the potential to provide solutions for integration of renewables by providing energy storage solutions, either stand-alone, or as part of larger grid. Proposals are invited for projects which advance the development of non-Li battery systems, show their potential to be manufactured at scale at a cost the market will bear, and which meet regulatory requirements (including regulations for the recycling/re-use of batteries).
Projects may target any stationary storage applications, from a few kWh in small-scale domestic behind-the-meter units, to many MWh in large utility-scale front-of-meter installations.
Whilst stationary storage packaging constraints may not be as stringent as mobile applications in terms of volume and mass, total cost (€/kWh/cycle) and safety are critical to proving technological and commercial viability. Safety concerns become especially prominent as installation sizes increase due to the huge amount of stored chemical energy.
This topic is open to all non-lithium battery chemistries.
Projects are expected to:

• Develop and demonstrate sustainable and safe non-lithium battery solutions from abundant, non-toxic raw materials, capable of deployment in a large share of stationary energy-storage markets aligning the safety and sustainability assessment with the Commission Recommendation on safe and sustainable by design chemicals and materials[1].
• Develop and demonstrate an innovative non-lithium battery technology with energy density and power metrics suited to stationary energy storage applications; and
• Prove the battery system’s sustainability and compatibility with a European supply chain.
• Risks will be demonstrably managed to the lowest possible level and within standard acceptable societal limits for toxicity and safety.

Projects are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:

• A European economic base which is stronger, more resilient, competitive and fit for the green and digital transitions, by reducing strategic dependencies for critical raw materials.
• Development of post-lithium cell chemistries with target cell- and system-level cost, safety, energy density and power metrics suitable for the selected stationary energy storage markets.
• Credible projected storage costs of less than 0.05 €/kWh/cycle by 2030, particularly for applications with a (minimum) storage durations of up to 8 hours.
• Set out a clear route to a feasible, European-based supply chain that reduces reliance on critical raw materials, substituting with abundant, non-toxic, inherently safe raw materials and minimises the impact of possible international trade disruptions and customs tariffs, taking account of the requirements for a range of stationary storage use cases.
• Demonstration of system operated in end-user conditions for at least 3,000 hours.
• Projected product cycling life 5,000 cycles in conditions operating conditions typical of the selected application.
• A battery storage solution that works safely and efficiently across a wide range of ambient conditions.
• A defined concept for demonstrable, highly sustainable, circular manufacturing for the selected battery type, with sustainability measured in terms of recognised economic, environmental, social and ethical metrics.

It covers the following impact areas:

• Industrial leadership in key and emerging technologies that work for people
• Affordable and clean energy
• Smart and sustainable transport