It has been three years since the first Horizon Europe projects started and a large part of them are entering their last year of duration. The projects working on battery R&I under the BATT4EU/BEPA umbrella are making important progress and delivering innovative results across the battery value chain.

To showcase their work and celebrate the success stories, BEPA will be hosting a series of webinars featuring all these projects, called BATT4EU Success Stories.

The first edition will focus on projects working on battery recycling, taking place on June 3rd from 10 to 11:30. The featured projects will be: RHINOCEROS, RESPECT, FREE4LIB, and BATRAW.

Join us to discover more on the achievements of the European battery R&I ecosystem.

Register HERE

As Europe increases its reliance on renewable energy sources, battery storage is playing an essential role in ensuring grid stability, energy security, and efficient use of renewable energy sources. This webinar will explore how battery technologies are being developed and deployed to support the energy transition, with insights from leading stakeholders across the European battery ecosystem.

The webinar will cover:

Whether you are part of the battery value chain, an energy systems expert, or a policy stakeholder, this session will provide valuable perspectives on the future of stationary battery storage in Europe.

See the draft AGENDA HERE

REGISTER HERE

Join our monthly lunch-time webinars and listen to 5 startups developing technologies and innovations in the battery space. Learn about their product(s), their needs, and explore new potential collaborations with key stakeholders evolving in the battery sector.

Whether you are a corporate shark looking for the next innovation to boost your products, an investor hungry for your next big opportunity, or a researcher curious about new developing technologies, join our Battery Startup Lunch to discover, exchange, and build.

Read the agenda HERE

Register HERE

4 APRIL

STARTING UP

Result of BEPA Survey On Battery Startups & Scaleups

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INSIGHTS

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REPORT AND ANALYSIS

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS

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11 APRIL

SUPPLY CHAIN

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INVESTING IN CLEAN TECH

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NA: NAY OR YAY

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MEMBERS NEWS

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19 APRIL

MANUFACTURING STUDIES

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EV DEMANDS

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INSIGHTS

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LONG DURATION STUDIES

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MEDIA

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25 APRIL

INSIGHTS

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EU INNOVATION POLICY

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NEW DEVELOPMENTS

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EVENTS

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Current State Aid rules of the European Union for cleantech manufacturing are characterized by being project-specific, relying on complex negotiations based on funding gaps, often lacking transparency, favoring incumbents over newcomers, and failing to directly address the higher production costs in Europe compared to global competitors.

An update of the State Aid rules is necessary to keep Europe competitive in cleantech manufacturing like battery cell production. To ensure a swift and secure increase in battery manufacturing capacity, battery components production and their associated critical raw materials, BEPA calls for the CISAF (Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework) to allow for output-based production support.

Output-based production support is the missing piece in the proposed CISAF and this must be fixed to allow support of the ramping-up and the scaling-up at battery producers as well as producers of battery components (cathode active materials and precursors, anode active materials, separators, electrolytes …) and the associated battery-grade critical raw materials.

A lack of output-based production support will stifle innovation in Europe directly, as projects will have fewer mechanisms to upscale innovative solutions, and also indirectly, as fewer innovators will be attracted to innovate in Europe, if upscaling their innovations is not supported.

Furthermore, the currently proposed rule to only facilitate State Aid if related works are not already started will lead to investment delays, investment rationalization, investment leakage… further hindering Europe’s ability to remain relevant on the global battery map. Lowering the maximum amount of state aid below TCTF level is also not the right way to go if we are serious about keeping Europe on the global battery map.

In addition to closing the innovation gap, output-based production support approach offers the following key benefits, fixing the shortcomings in the existing State Aid framework(s):

1.Output-based production support directly tackles higher production costs:

Output-based support, such as a per-unit credit (X €/kWh for battery cells for instance), directly reduces the marginal cost of battery cell / components / critical raw materials production. Current state aid, often provided as a lump sum based on funding gaps, does not guarantee a reduction in marginal cost. The credit could be modulated to decrease in value as cumulated production increases. The credit could also be modulated upon intensity of local content, possibility of tech transfer, ESG criteria … where / when relevant.

2. Output-based production support limits risks to taxpayers:

State aid is only disbursed for successful production output. This moves the risk of project failure to the company and its investors, rather than relying on projections and funding gap calculations. The current system, based on anticipated costs and revenues, can lead to subsidies being granted even if the project underperforms.

3.Output-based production support reduces ambiguity and facilitates negotiation:

Clear pre-defined criteria for output-based production support minimize the potential for favoring some industry players over others. It may also greatly reduce potential corruption associated with lengthy and complex negotiations over funding gaps and business cases. The current case-by-case approach, sometimes dependent on political negotiation, can also lead to unpredictable outcomes

4.Output-based production support means increased bankability for industry:

A predictable revenue stream associated with actual production makes projects more attractive to investors since it allows companies to integrate the expected production support into their business plans. The current system, based on proving funding gaps with the risk of claw backs, hurts bankability

5. Output-based production support allows for enhanced transparency:

Payments are directly linked to a well-defined measurable output. This makes it easy for companies and administrations to track the effectiveness and recipients of the aid. The current lack of transparency in approval and disbursement processes comes at the expense of public scrutiny

6.Output-based production support creates a level playing field for newcomers:

Removing the need to prove complex business cases and incentive effects, encourages participation from new and smaller companies such as startups and scaleups. Smaller companies often lack the resources to navigate the complex application processes.

7.Output-based production support rewards efficiency:

Companies will be encouraged to improve their production processes and become more efficient by innovating since they will directly benefit from increased output and reduced costs. Traditional cost-based subsidies can unintentionally reward less cost-efficient projects by covering larger funding gaps

8. Output-based production support avoids artificial processes

The need to prove incentive effects to calculate funding gaps in this rapidly evolving market may be eliminated. This ends up streamlining the process and cutting down on administrative paperwork for players with a  sound business case.

In essence, BEPA calls for a shift from supporting projects based on predicted financial viability to supporting the actual production of desired battery technologies, their enabling battery components and associated critical raw materials. Doing so, via CISAF, should lead to a more transparent, predictable, and effective system. This is the approach we do need now in Europe to directly enhance the global competitiveness of cleantech manufacturing by tackling the fundamental issue of high production costs associated with ramping up and scaling up.

AUTHOR:  BEPA – The Batteries European Partnership Association is the voice of European innovation across the battery value chain. BEPA promotes the creation of the best funding & financing support for innovation & industrialization along the battery value chain. BEPA represents the private-side of the European public-private partnership for battery innovation (BATT4EU) in EU’s Horizon Europe.

 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Over three days, the conference will feature talks, panel sessions, open discussions, networking breaks, a poster session, a conference dinner and a local site visit.

The International Flow Battery Forum (IFBF) is the leading event for the flow battery community. The IFBF promotes the most recent developments in the science, technology and commercialisation of flow batteries. Their conferences cover a broad range of interests in the research and commercial aspects of flow batteries.

The programme

Commissioner David Hochshild, Chair of the California Energy Commission, will address the IFBF this year. He will be explaining the background to California’s Long Duration Energy Storage initiative and the need to have diversity in energy storage systems, with 6 different non-lithium long duration technologies under development and demonstration. Under the CEC’s guidance, California has one of the boldest programmes in the world for supporting new energy technologies.

There will be also a keynote address from Viktor Horváth, Deputy State Secretary for the Energy Transition of Hungary, on the topic of diverse energy storage technologies for the energy transition.

Users and operators of storage including Verbund, Energie Burgenland, EDF and EDP Renewables will talk on the role of flow batteries and energy storage in their operations, and Rongke Power will speak on the challenges and operational performance of their multi 100 MWh flow batteries in China. Going back to Europe, Flexbase, will expand on their plans for a 100 MW plus flow battery in Switzerland.

The event will close with a report on flow batteries in space by Fraunhofer UMSICHT, and the news of a programme funded by the German Space Agency.

Book your ticket HERE

REGISTER HERE

This 30-minute workshop on InvestEU and the Enterprise Europe Network, taked place on 24 April at 14:00.

This session will give startups a practical overview of how EU programmes can support your growth journey. You’ll learn about funding opportunities, free support services, and how to tap into EU networks and initiatives to scale your business across Europe and beyond. With new funds and programmes being proposed for the next EU mandate, support for startups is only set to grow. Now is the time to get ahead and position yourself to benefit early.

​Perfect for anyone looking to navigate EU resources more effectively.

​Speakers: 

​InvestEU is the European Union’s flagship investment programme, aimed at mobilising public and private financing for projects that support innovation, sustainability, and job creation across Europe. It consolidates various EU financial instruments under one umbrella to make funding more accessible and efficient. ​The programme seeks to mobilise over €372 billion in investment between 2021 and 2027, with a focus on areas such as the green transition, digital transformation, social impact, and support for startups.

​The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. Backed by the European Commission, it helps businesses innovate, grow, and expand into new markets.

​The Network offers tailored advice and services on EU funding, market access, regulatory guidance, and international partnerships, connecting businesses across more than 60 countries.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT HERE

 

Under one hour, the webinar will aim to equip the audience with all the knowledge needed to best judge the added value IPCEIs could bring for industrial & innovation objectives. The webinar will offer a detailed description of the IPCEI instrument by one of Europe’s leading experts in the field.

The webinar will feature a presentation on IPCEIs by Dr Marc Isabelle from the company “european economics” which will be then followed by a Q&A session.

ABOUT

IPCEIs allow EU Member States to jointly support strategic industrial projects with state aid. The supported projects must significantly contribute to EU goals like economic growth, competitiveness, and innovation. These projects are built by several Member States together and require co-financing from private companies. The typical IPCEI projects consist of ambitious R&D going beyond the state of the art, which is followed by first industrial deployment and later industrialization. IPCEIs, to comply with EU rules, must address major market failures and meet criteria set out in the European Communication on State Aid.

Why is it important for the battery sector?

With the possibility of a future IPCEI on Circular Advanced Materials, BEPA believes that this could bring funding possibilities for the battery sector, most certainly focussing on Advanced Materials enabling battery technologies. With some Member States gearing up for a future opening of a call for interest, it is timely that the battery community is best informed to assess what the IPCEI instrument could mean to their industrial & innovation objectives.

Register in the Members Area.

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