Solid state battery innovation centre unveiled in Basque Country

Solid state battery developer Basquevolt has unveiled its innovation centre with the promise to deliver 100% European solid state battery technology by the end of 2023.

The research and development centre in the formerly named Epsilon Building – now Basquevolt Building – in the Alava Technology Park in the outskirts of the city of San Sebastian in northern Spain is focussed initially on the production of 20Ah cells for use in electric vehicles.

Basquevolt in cooperation with research partner CIC energiGUNE, whose patented composite electrolyte forms the basis for the technology, has been testing its first multilayer cells since last April, demonstrating that it can reach a high energy density – 1,000Wh/l and 450Wh/kg – while significantly reducing overall battery pack costs.

The company anticipates that its battery cells, with more efficient but less complex production, could create a 30% reduction in the capital investment needed per GWh in a gigafactory and 30% less energy used per kWh produced, compared to lithium-ion batteries.

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In addition to the production of the 20Ah cells, Basquevolt has set a goal to start the manufacturing of solid-state cells by the end of 2025 at its 1GWh future facility at its site in Vitoria-Gasteiz and has targeted 10GWh of production by 2027.

“[The] unveiling represents a significant milestone for Basquevolt and reaffirms our position as a pioneer in the European solid-state industry,” says CEO Francisco Carranza.

“Our dedicated research and development team has successfully overcome technical challenges to deliver a cost competitive solid state battery technology that offers a very high energy density. We remain committed to further refining our technology and collaborating with industry partners to bring this innovation to the market, driving positive change on a global scale.”

Basquevolt anticipates that the breakthrough, which is based on more than ten years of research, has the potential to revolutionise multiple sectors with mass deployment in electric vehicles and energy storage as well as advanced portable devices.

Basquevolt is backed by the EU’s EIT InnoEnergy innovation engine and public and private investors including the Basque government and power companies Iberdrola and Enagas.