The Netherlands Gears up to Supply the World with Circular Battery Technologies and Superior Performance

The Dutch energy sector is innovating new battery concepts to enable the clean energy transition

The acceleration going on in the Dutch battery community provides unprecedented opportunities for international battery companies to enhance their products and manufacturing with superior components and processes in the Netherlands. “Battery companies that want to establish a solid growth perspective with future-proof battery concepts are best off joining the Dutch battery ecosystem,” says Rutger van Poppel, program manager at Battery Competence Cluster – NL (BCC-NL). This organization sets out the strategic agenda for battery innovation in the Netherlands and develops public-private innovation projects in line with that strategy.

A critical component in the clean energy mix

Batteries are a critical enabler in the new energy system. As the world electrifies, supplied by the fluctuating forces of nature, batteries are needed for buffering peaks in supply and demand. They are also an imperative energy carrier in electric mobile and mobility applications. However, current generation batteries are not tailored to the needs of tomorrow’s energy system and do not meet the requirements of the circular, net-zero future. The world needs new, future-fit batteries – and in large supply. That’s where the Netherlands is stepping up.

Developing batteries with next generation performance

The Dutch energy sector has critical knowledge and research capacity and is gearing up to make significant advancements in battery technology to make them fit for the future. Building on its strengths and capabilities, the sector focuses on sustainable materials; scalable recycling and urban mining; tooling and machinery; heavy duty mobility batteries; and stationary battery storage.

“The role of batteries in our energy system is changing drastically and entirely new demands are put on their performance across their life cycle,” says Rutger. “For one, as the migration from fossil fuels to electric mobility continues, we will need much larger quantities of batteries. The production of current generation batteries can’t be sustained at that scale, especially given the critical raw materials used in conventional batteries. Secondly, we can optimize batteries for different applications, with other property demands,” Rutger continues.

“And last but certainly not least, we will need reusable and recyclable batteries. The materials are too valuable and mining is too hazardous to dispose them after their end of life. We need new design for disassembly concepts for batteries that make urban mining possible and profitable. Upcoming EU legislation will demand this as well, so we are anticipating for that development by setting up the ecosystems for recycling now,” Rutger concludes.

Business and innovation opportunities in the Netherlands

Within Europe, the Netherlands is one of the leading countries when it comes to developing next generation and more sustainable battery materials and components. It already has four silicon anode companies – one of the highest concentrations of next generation battery companies. The sector is supported by a strong knowledge base at the technical universities. International battery cell companies can benefit from this ecosystem to make their battery technology future proof.

Organizations active in future-proof battery innovation in the Netherlands’ energy ecosystem

“As is Dutch nature, rather than competing with established markets, we focus on our strengths to supply alternative, superior components and concepts that can be implemented to enhance established products,” says Rutger. Companies like LeydenJar and E-Magy, for example, are developing superior silicon anode technology that significantly enhances the energy density and life span of lithium-ion batteries, and can be integrated in current manufacturing processes. Their technology reduces the demand for new batteries, which reduces hazards at both ends of the supply chain.

Other startups are focusing on totally different material concepts for batteries. Rutger: “Eindhoven-based LionVolt is developing its 3D solid-state battery concept which promises exceptional performance on a variety of parameters such as safety, sustainability, energy density and load times. Their technology is retrofittable into existing devices, which can radically improve freedom in design specs for electronics devices.”

A number of international battery companies complement the Dutch ecosystem with valuable technology, know-how and facilities as well, such as Heraeus, Zenon Energy, Autocraft and Sekisui.

Stationery batteries for a net-zero energy mix

The Netherlands has the ambition to become a world-leading expertise center when it comes to long duration batteries for stationary storage and it is seeking international collaboration to enhance this position. Large scale stationary batteries are necessary to buffer between peak supply and demand and create a dependable, affordable and safe net-zero energy mix. “These batteries require very different properties than those used for mobility purposes,” says Rutger. “In this context, weight and volume are insignificant while affordability, sustainability and the capacity to store large amounts of energy for longer time periods are crucial,” he continues.

A number of battery concepts are being developed for this application. Rutger mentions Arnhem-based Elestor, and Aquabattery, both of which are developing different versions of flow batteries. These long duration batteries are affordable, scalable, durable and consist of abundantly available, non-hazardous elements.

The Dutch make batteries fit for a green and clean future

The domestic need for a robust and affordable, self-reliant net-zero energy system, combined with our capabilities, a large international market and momentum, has boosted battery ambitions in the Netherlands. It led to the establishment of the Battery Competence Cluster NL in 2019. Additionally, various existing initiatives are connected and aligned to enhance synergies. Examples are: BatteryNL (early research on battery materials), Green Transport Delta – Electrification (batteries for heavy duty mobility) and NXTGEN Hightech (equipment for battery production).

Rutger: “All initiatives, which are affiliated in various ways, connect the dots between the world-leading chemicals cluster and the highly advanced mobility and high-tech sector in the Netherlands. This way we can utilize the excellent expertise and innovation infrastructures available in these ecosystems for battery innovation.”

Positioning the Netherlands within the European battery value chain, the country stands out with its OEM-neutral position in the automotive sector as it is operating independently of the large automotive OEMs. This is related to the Netherlands’ strong heritage as a hotspot for testing and validation of electric systems. The expertise and network accumulated at these centers are invaluable for boosting and scaling development of the next generations of batteries for a wide range of purposes. Adding to that a wide array of research and innovation facilities specifically dedicated to battery innovation, it is more than evident that business and innovation opportunities abound in the Netherlands.

Interersted in learning more about how your company can join our battery ecosystem? Get in touch with your local NFIA team.