Battery Development

WLF Energy made its public market debut at the Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart. The company plans to establish a vertically integrated clean energy platform. This platform is designed to combine energy generation, storage, management, digital optimization, and trading into a single system. The goal is to eventually provide Europe with clean electricity for less than 0.10 euros per kilowatt-hour.  Battery technology lies at the heart of this strategy. Through vertical integration, WLF Energy aims to reduce the complexity of battery storage systems, eliminate inefficiencies in the value chain, and thereby enable drastically lower energy costs for consumers. The platform is designed for utility projects, as well as industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Acquisitions and partnerships aim to pool expertise A significant step is the acquisition of Cellovate GmbH and PEM Motion’s BMS business unit. PEM Motion intends to focus more strongly on battery testing, compliance, battery analysis, engineering services, training, and operations in the future. Through this acquisition, WLF Energy is acquiring expertise in the field of battery management systems. Additionally, WLF Energy announced a strategic partnership with Farasis Energy.  The storage platform is designed to form the technical core of WLF’s corporate strategy with safety, lifespan, and total cost of ownership in mind. Specifically, the company highlights batteries with more than 25,000 cycles, discharge rates up to 50C, AI-supported condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance. First grid connection expected in 2027 In terms of its commercial activities, WLF Energy has project pipelines in the renewable energy sector in the Nordic countries, as well as battery storage projects. The company has also signed a letter of intent to supply battery packs to a U.S. company that manufactures electric motorcycles. The first grid feed-ins are expected in the first quarter of 2027. Sources:https://de.finance.yahoo.com/nachrichten/wlf-energy-startet-europas-schneller-113000987.htmlhttps://www.pem-motion.com/de/post/wlf-energy-integrates-pem-motions-bms-business-unit-into-european-clean-energy-value-chain-platform

General Motors and Peak Energy plan to develop sodium-ion battery cells for stationary grid storage. This initiative is based on a strategic partnership that includes an investment by GM Ventures in Peak Energy. The goal is to deploy the cells in large-scale energy storage systems. The technology is expected to be ready for mass production in 2028 at the earliest. As part of the collaboration, GM will develop the sodium-ion cell in its Michigan battery laboratories. The company will also retain exclusive manufacturing rights. Peak Energy will then integrate the cells into its own energy storage systems. Passively Cooled Storage as a Cost Advantage According to Peak Energy, the company is focusing on passively cooled storage systems. These systems are designed to operate without the energy-intensive active cooling common in many lithium iron phosphate systems. Peak Energy claims its sodium-ion systems could reduce storage costs by 20 percent compared to conventional systems. GM Seeks Additional Uses for Battery Investments For GM, this move comes during a period of weaker electric vehicle sales in the U.S. The NYT reports that GM and other manufacturers have scaled back production of electric cars. Reasons for this include the expiration of tax incentives and heavy losses from previous investments in electric cars. Stationary storage systems could help automakers leverage their existing battery expertise more broadly. Tesla has been selling such systems since 2015, and Ford is planning large-scale battery storage projects as well. Sources:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/business/energy-environment/general-motors-storage-batteries-electric-vehicles.htmlhttps://peakenergy.com/news/latest/gm-partnership

The Nissan Technical Centre Europe, the University of Oxford, and Gelion are launching a three-year development project to create lithium-sulfur-based solid-state batteries. The project, called “CoRe-SoLiS,” aims to develop a more cost-effective and robust battery chemistry for electric vehicles. According to the participants, the total project cost is £3.4 million. Of this amount, £2.4 million comes from the UK Battery Innovation Program. Gelion’s British subsidiary will receive £1.6 million. Sulfur replaces nickel and cobalt The focus is on Gelion’s Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur, or NES for short. This material is intended for use as a cathode component in future solid-state batteries. With this approach, Gelion aims to replace the nickel and cobalt currently used in lithium-ion cathodes. In the context of the project, sulfur is considered a cheaper, more widely available raw material. Gelion also states that NES can be incorporated into existing production lines. The project is geared toward automotive applications. Their goal is to develop a battery pack with high power, fast charging and discharging capabilities, high energy density, and a long service life. Nissan is contributing requirements regarding performance, safety, and manufacturability. The University of Oxford is contributing anode materials and cell expertise. Nissan links the project to its electrification strategy in Europe and its Sunderland facility. For Gelion, the project’s outcome is intended to support future scaling, manufacturing, and commercialization efforts. Source:https://gelion.com/news/nissan-collaboration/

Matthews Engineering has fully opened its new development center in Vreden. According to the company, its “MEODEO” line has been made available for demonstrations and testing. With this addition, the center can now facilitate processes for batteries and energy storage systems from the laboratory scale to industrial production. The 1,000-square-meter center was first opened in May 2025. It is designed for development, testing, and process optimization in the field of energy storage. The company says the facility is intended to bridge the gap between laboratory validation, pilot trials, and industrial production. MEODEO as a 1:1 Test Production Line Matthews describes the MEODEO facility as a full-scale demonstration and test line for developing and manufacturing dry battery electrodes. Customers are expected to gather process data there that can be transferred to their own production lines. The company states that the system is commercially available for Gigafactory environments. It can be customized in terms of the number of rolls, roll hardness, operating speed, winding concept, and other factors. The multi-roll calender can process electrode widths of up to 850 millimeters. Matthews cites an operating speed of up to 150 meters per minute.  Test Environment for Multiple Process Steps The company states that its development center combines laboratory, pilot, and production facilities. In addition to dry electrodes, Matthews cites separator foils, bipolar plate embossing, and membrane coating as application areas. Dry rooms with less than one percent relative humidity and cleanroom conditions enable testing of moisture-sensitive materials. The center is also integrated into a larger development network. This network includes capabilities for coatings and separator foils. Source:https://matthews-engineering.com/insights/press-releases/development-center-vreden-meodeo/

The Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has opened a new energy storage testing and validation center in Xiamen. According to the company, the ten-hectare facility cost approximately three billion yuan, equivalent to about 440 million U.S. dollars. CATL describes the center as the largest testing platform of its kind worldwide. The center is designed to test stationary battery storage systems under realistic conditions prior to delivery. It is CATL’s response to a well-known industry problem: many storage projects fail to perform as expected once operational. The company reports that nearly one in five large-scale storage facilities worldwide is operating below capacity. Additionally, 46.5 percent of the systems experience grid connection delays of more than two months. Focus on Grid Connection, Safety, and Extreme Conditions At the heart of the facility are five laboratories. These will test grid connection behavior, high-voltage safety, thermal risks, environmental durability, and electromagnetic compatibility, among other things. CATL cites a 35-kV/100-MVA grid simulator, the ability to test up to 500 kV, and a fire test hall with a 20-MW calorimeter as key features of the facility. It is designed to test full 40-foot containers under high-performance conditions. This move aligns with the company’s strategic direction. According to Reuters, CATL expects energy storage to account for half of its global revenue by 2030. Currently, that share stands at about 25 percent, up from two percent just five years ago. Batteries for electric vehicles remain the core business and currently account for about three-quarters of sales. Sources:https://www.catl.com/en/news/6815.htmlhttps://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chinese-battery-maker-catl-expects-energy-storage-make-up-half-global-sales-by-2026-06-04/

The Spanish battery developer Basquevolt has unveiled its first standardized battery cell, the BQV400L. According to the company, the cell has a gravimetric energy density of 402 Wh/kg and a capacity of 27 Ah. The cell uses NMC lithium-metal chemistry, enabling a pulse power of 8.9 C. It is produced in Spain, with about 75 percent of its components sourced from Europe. Polymer Electrolyte as the Technical Core According to Basquevolt, the BQV400L is the first standardized cell product to utilize the company’s proprietary polymer electrolyte technology. This technology is reportedly suitable for industrial applications in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aviation, and stationary energy storage. Basquevolt presents the cell as a drop-in solution compatible with existing Gigafactory infrastructure. Therefore, no significant additional manufacturing investments are necessary. The market launch follows an agreement with Ampere, the electric vehicle and software unit of the Renault Group. In February, the two companies announced their intention to develop lithium-metal batteries for future electric vehicles and validate them under real-world automotive conditions. Basquevolt views the BQV400L as an intermediate step toward the industrialization of its solid-state battery technology. Source:https://basquevolt.com/en/news/news/BASQUEVOLT_Launches_BQV400L

The Chinese lithium producer Ganfeng Lithium has started producing solid-state batteries with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg on a small scale. This information was released by the Chinese company on Wednesday in minutes from an investor meeting. The cell has a capacity of 10 Ah and, according to Ganfeng, will be the first solid-state product of this size to reach 500 Wh/kg. 400 Wh/kg cell reportedly completes validation In parallel, Ganfeng reports progress on a solid-state cell with 400 Wh/kg. It reportedly exceeded 1,100 charge cycles in testing. Furthermore, technical validation has been completed. The company sees potential for larger-scale applications. The Chinese lithium group is pursuing two development paths for solid-state batteries. In addition to lithium-metal anodes, Ganfeng is working on silicon-carbon anodes. The goal is to overcome hurdles in industrialization and accelerate the mass production of high-energy density batteries.  Progress is also being made with silicon-based anodes. Ganfeng cites a product range of 320 to 480 Wh/kg for these anodes. A 320-Wh/kg cell has reportedly achieved over 1,000 cycles. The company claims that the technology of the 480-Wh/kg cells is at the forefront of the industry. Ganfeng identifies high-end electric vehicles, the low-altitude economy, robotics, and consumer electronics as target markets. These high-energy batteries are already being used in Aerofugia Technology’s AE200-100, Geely’s eVTOL division. Sources:https://cnevpost.com/2026/05/21/ganfeng-starts-small-scale-production-500-wh-kg-solid-state-batteries/https://static.cninfo.com.cn/finalpage/2026-05-20/1225321744.PDF

BYD Energy Storage and the Norwegian Corvus Energy have signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Their goal is to develop and promote the use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems for maritime applications. The agreement was signed at the 18th China International Battery Fair in Shenzhen. According to the companies, the agreement aims to advance the research, development, certification, and market launch of their joint battery systems. Specifically, they will focus on high-performance LFP systems for use on ships. The partners plan to combine BYD’s cell technology with Corvus Energy’s maritime energy storage system expertise. Corvus Energy states that the new agreement follows a December 2025 memorandum of understanding that established a long-term framework for collaboration on maritime battery technologies. The recently signed agreement formalizes the next phase of this cooperation. Corvus Energy is headquartered in Bergen, Norway. Founded in Canada in 2009, the company develops energy storage systems for maritime, offshore, and port applications. The company reports that more than 1,350 projects have been implemented across various maritime segments. Additionally, Corvus Energy systems are reportedly used by more than 50 percent of ships equipped with zero-emission technology. Source:https://corvusenergy.com/news/corvus-energy-and-byd-energy-storag-strengthen-partnership-with-strategic-cooperation-agreement-to-advance-next-generation-maritime-battery-technology

The PEM of RWTH Aachen University and its research and industry partners officially launched the “Fast Battery Customization” (FastBat) research cluster in Aachen today. The project aims to establish a regional value chain for battery and recycling technologies in Germany’s Rhenish mining region while accelerating the development of new battery systems. According to the partners involved, the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space is providing a total of €50 million in funding over a three-year period. The cluster is part of Germany’s structural transformation program for former coal-mining regions. Its objective is to transfer research results into industrial applications more quickly while creating new economic opportunities in the region. The focus lies on shortening development cycles, enabling flexible manufacturing processes, and developing battery systems for specialized applications such as agriculture and aviation. At the same time, the research cluster directly aligns with the German government’s High-Tech Agenda Germany, which defines the expansion of battery technology in Europe as a strategic priority. FastBat aims to establish an independent and competitive value chain for battery and battery recycling technologies in the Rhenish region while accelerating the transfer of innovations into industrial applications. In addition, the cluster is intended to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty in battery technology and reduce dependencies across global supply chains. Its emphasis on local value creation, recycling, and scalable manufacturing processes addresses key industrial and energy-policy challenges facing Europe. Guests from Industry, Research and Politics LtR: Prof. Dr. Achim Kampker, Dr. Henrik Born, Parliamentary State Secretary Matthias Hauer, Minister Ina Brandes, Mayor Dr. Ralf Otten, Dean Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schröder Among those attending the official project launch in Aachen were numerous industry and research partners, as well as Ina Brandes, Parliamentary State Secretary Matthias Hauer, and Aachen Mayor Ralf Otten. Together, the participants emphasized the central role of batteries as a key technology for the digitalization and electrification of numerous industries. They also highlighted the importance of transferring technological excellence and innovations into industrial-scale applications more rapidly in order to secure long-term international competitiveness. “Current development cycles are far too lengthy,” said Achim Kampker, Head of the PEM Chair at RWTH Aachen, during the opening ceremony. “Battery research has so far focused primarily on product and process innovations with low technology readiness levels, rather than reducing time-to-market and increasing the flexibility of production systems.” According to Kampker, both aspects are essential, as an increasing number of applications with high product diversity and highly specific requirements are becoming electrified — including agriculture, aviation, mining, and defense applications. During a guided tour of the exhibition booths representing the individual research centers, guests also received detailed insights into the planned activities, research approaches, and objectives of the cluster. Among the topics presented were new concepts for battery development and production, recycling, digitalization, and industrial scaling. Research on Production, Recycling, and Battery Management Center V: “Implementation” FastBat is structured into five research areas. These focus on topics including data-driven simulations, artificial intelligence, and new testing methods aimed at reducing development times. Additional research priorities include solid-state and sodium-ion batteries, energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and recycling technologies for battery materials. Another major focus is the transfer of research results into industrial applications. This includes qualification and training programs, real-world laboratories, and support programs for start-ups. The partner network includes several RWTH-Institutes, the Fraunhofer-FFB, the University Münster, and companies such as PEM Motion, Accure and Cellovate. Sources:PEM of RWTH Aachen University

German company CMblu Energy has completed an initial close of its €50 million Series C funding round, surpassing a valuation of €1 billion. The company is now positioning its technology for data center and AI infrastructure applications. Focus on baseload energy solutions CMblu develops organic flow batteries that do not rely on lithium, cobalt, or nickel and are designed for long-duration, stable energy supply. The company aims to provide baseload infrastructure to support the growing energy demand of data centers and digital applications. SourceCMBlu