Cobalt-free battery now in test phase: a major milestone for the COBRA project

Cobalt-free battery now in test phase: a major milestone for the COBRA project

In the first week of June, several COBRA partners came together in Catalonia to carry out the End-of-Line testing of two complete battery pack prototypes. This marked a major milestone for the project that is developing cobalt-free electric vehicle (EV) battery packs. From this baseline, subsequent generations (Gen1, Gen2, GenX) will be developed from treated recycled active materials to the full battery pack – with improved performance. 

Partners present at commissioning week: AVL, Eurecat, Aentron, IREC, Applus+ IDIADA, Bax & Company, and Millor Battery

The battery commissioning 

After Millor Battery had assembled the battery pack, preliminary calibration and testing were performed. Subsequent testing procedures were completed at the nearby Eurecat facilities. Overall, the performed tests included: 

  1. IVT-S current sensor calibration
  2. Installation of the BCU
  3. Low voltage commissioning
  4. High voltage connection test
  5. BCU calibration

Firstly, at the Millor Batteries facilities, preliminary tests were performed to determine the battery pack’s proper functioning (e.g. BMS, connections, and sensors). Since one of the module’s MCUs reported a non-functioning cell, module-level testing was performed using multimeters. Once the alternative testing was completed, all the elements were performing correctly.

COBRA battery pack without lid

If you’d like further details on the latest developments in COBRA, or want to reach out to one of the partners, contact cobra@baxcompany.com or visit our Twitter and LinkedIn channels.

LC-BAT-5 Cluster workshop on Si-Gr electrodes

LC-BAT-5 Cluster workshop on Si-Gr electrodes

Last week, the LC-BAT-5 Cluster hosted its first in-person workshop at the Ångstroem Laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden.

The goal of the two-day workshop, organised by the HYDRA project, was to establish best practices for Si-Gr electrode research and agree on common reporting standards so that data published by each of the LC-BAT-5 projects (COBRA, 3beLiEVe, SeNSE & HYDRA) can be reusable and interoperable.

A total of 50 people attended the workshop (25 in-person and 25 virtual) hailing from 19 institutes spanning research and industry, each representing one or more of the four LC-BAT-5 projects.

COBRA: IREC, Uppsala University, CIDETEC, Solvionic, and Resitec.
3beLiEVe: Customcells Holding Gmbh, CIC energiGUNE, AIT, Vianode, Topsoe, and Arkema.
SeNSE: Empa, MEET, FZJ, and Enwires.
HYDRA: SINTEF, Uppsala University, ICSI, Vinode, Vianode, UCL, Solvionic, and POLITO.

Each project led a session of 1.5 hours on a different topic related to electrode research.

SeNSE explored methods of electrode preparation, COBRA led the discussion on electrolyte composition, HYDRA explored electrochemical operating parameters and 3beLiEVe focused on cycling stability and capacity fade mitigation.

The LC-BAT-5 Cluster was formed in 2020 to take advantage of synergies in communication, dissemination and technical matters. Together we are working on next-generation lithium-ion batteries made in Europe.

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The Reverse Logistics of Li-ion Electric Vehicle Batteries

The Reverse Logistics of Li-ion Electric Vehicle Batteries

Li-ion batteries have gained a prominent position in the ongoing electrification of global transport. Here, retaining critical materials from used Li-ion batteries could be crucial to counter some of their negative externalities. Examples of retaining material value include battery reuse, remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling. To support the value retention of Li-ion batteries, a safe and efficient reverse logistics chain is needed. 

In the next decade, the number of returned electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) is expected to surge. By 2030 there will be 111,000 tonnes (or 25 GWh) of end-of-life EVBs in Europe, while almost 500 GWh of new batteries will be placed on the market. This means tens of thousands of heavy-duty trucks transporting end-of-life batteries a year, many of which transport them as dangerous goods.  

With the EU’s focus on establishing the safest and most sustainable value chain for Li-ion batteries in the world, the surge in EV sales and society’s growing concern for sustainability, interest in the reverse logistics of Li-ion batteries is increasing. Public and private stakeholders are urged to create new regulations, business models and supporting technologies.  

Reverse logistics is often overlooked, but essential in retrieving critical raw materials from EV batteries. Reverse logistics in the context of electric vehicle batteries (EVBs) start when the EV user decides that the battery is not fulfilling their needs and stop when the battery reaches the point where the remaining value is utilised, e.g., through recycling, repurposing or remanufacturing.  

Due to the immaturity of EV battery recycling worldwide, reverse logistics remains very underdeveloped. Several regulatory, technical and economic challenges remain to be solved. In our latest market intelligence report, we’ve outlined the ongoing trends and current state of the reverse logistics of Lithium-ion batteries. 

 
Special thanks to William Bergh, Founder of Cling systems and Philippe Jacques, Secretary-General of BEPA (The Batteries European Partnership Association) for their valuable contributions! 

cobra_mi_report_-_reverse_logistics
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Want to get in touch with the COBRA team?
Contact cobra@baxcompany.com or visit our Twitter and LinkedIn channels.