BASQUEVOLT, the Basque initiative for the production of solid-state batteries, has launched with the intention to produce 10GWh by 2027.
What is BASQUEVOLT?
BASQUEVOLT – officially launched on 10 June 2022 – is a company committed to developing sustainable, safer, and competitive solid-state battery technology with the best resources and cells for electric vehicles, heavy transport, renewable energy, stationary energy storage (including hybridisation with hydrogen-gas systems), advanced portable devices, and electronic devices.
The company believes this is possible due to its exclusive composite electrolyte that results from more than ten years of research conducted into solid-state batteries by researchers at the CIC energiGUNE, which is one of the top three research centres in Europe in energy storage and batteries.
Lithium batteries are reaching their maturity
Electrolyte lithium batteries are reaching a state of maturity, and as such, the next technological breakthrough required to reveal the true capacity of energy storage must come from the solid-state.
The company is hopeful that by 2025, the development of prototype cells and the commissioning of a pilot production line will be underway. BASQUEVOLT also intends to start production of battery cells in 2027, with the aim of reaching a capacity of 10GWh. The novel technology is expected to exceed the energy density of current storage solutions; due to its technological expertise, BASQUEVOLT aspires to become the European leader in the production of solid-state batteries.
The founding consortium of investors in the project, promoted by the Basque Government, includes Iberdrola, CIE Automotive, Enagás, EIT InnoEnergy, and CIC energiGUNE, whose research has facilitated the formation of this initiative.
Additionally, due to an investment of €700m, the company anticipates that through this initiative, a production line can be launched in four years. It is also expected to generate more than 800 direct jobs.
The development and production of solid-state batteries
BASQUEVOLT’s technology is expected to enable the mass deployment of electric transport, stationary energy storage, and advanced portable devices.
After two years of intense and highly confidential work, BASQUEVOLT now exemplifies a reality that will make the Basque Country a European benchmark in the development and production of solid-state batteries. The experience of the companies that form the initial group of investors guarantees that BASQUEVOLT is in a highly competitive position in the battery race, where there are important opportunities for collaboration, which is crucial in making progress in the energy transition.
The location of BASQUEVOLT’s first-phase activity will take place at the Álava Technology Park, specifically in the Marie Curie Building (c/ Albert Einstein, no. 35), just a few metres from CIC energiGUNE. This Basque research centre will provide BASQUEVOLT with technological support rooted in over ten years of research in the field of solid-state batteries, and has a team of researchers led by Michel Armand, the founder of the polymeric solid electrolyte. BASQUEVOLT’s technology is based on the use of a composite electrolyte patented by CIC energiGUNE.
