Energy research is critical to addressing the world's growing energy needs in a sustainable and affordable way. It spans from the development and study of new generation batteries and innovative energy storage solutions to the development of hydrogen as a fuel, and solar energy efficiency. With the focus of our impact on the environment shifting, there is further research into how our use of Li-ion batteries can be bettered, to provide more efficient output before degradation impacts function, and reducing the impact their disposal can have on the environment, as well as considering sodium-ion for future development.
Energy research is the study of energy sources, energy conversion, energy storage, and energy use. It is a broad field made up of a range of different disciplines, including physics, chemistry, engineering, economics, and social science, all focused on building a long-term energy future for all. This drive to combat climate change in the long-term requires investment to develop new and innovative ways to generate, store, and distribute renewable energy.
Energy research is a complex and challenging field, but it is also one of the most important areas of scientific research today. PI-KEM is a trusted partner for leading universities, research institutes, and industrial companies within the energy research field. We constantly review our range of products to ensure we have the materials and equipment needed by researchers to accelerate the development of new energy technologies.
Our Energy Research and Material Processing Team work closely with their customers and are dedicated to supporting them in their research endeavours and to develop innovative energy solutions.
Research Focus
- Battery materials: Fabricating them to have a higher energy density, longer life cycle but lower cost
- Battery packs: Designing more efficient types for use in electric vehicles and other applications. EMPA researchers are investigating improving the operational safety of Li-ion batteries and exploring alternative materials and processing techniques.
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- Battery manufacturing processes: Ensuring they are more sustainable and cost-effective
- Battery Recycling: Recovering valuable materials, reducing waste and environmental impact. Researchers at Birmingham University, UK are looking at how used batteries from EVs can be given a second life by connecting them to the electric power network.
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- Hydrogen: Developing new hydrogen production, storage, and transportation technologies. Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark are developing a new type of hydrogen fuel cell that is more efficient and less expensive than current hydrogen fuel cells.
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- Decarbonisation: Developing new and more efficient renewable energy technologies and improving the integration of renewable energy into the global energy grid. An example being to improve the efficiency and affordability of photovoltaic panels. Utilising Carbon capture and storage (CCS) to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and other industrial facilities
- Energy storage: Exploring new and more efficient energy storage technologies, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage. Essential for enabling the use of renewable energy sources on a large scale and for longer-term storage of energy. Researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, are continuing to develop solar cells that are more efficient and less expensive than current solar cells.
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- Energy efficiency: Discovering new and more efficient energy-efficient technologies for buildings, transportation, and industry. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), Germany, is one of the world's leading research institutes for solar energy. ISE is working on a variety of projects to develop new solar PV technologies, improve solar cell efficiency, and reduce costs.
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- Smart grids: Designing intelligent electricity grids that can integrate renewable energy sources into the power grid, improving energy efficiency and reliability
In addition to these specific areas of research, there is also a growing focus on cross-disciplinary research and innovation. For example, researchers are working to develop integrated energy systems that combine multiple energy sources and technologies to optimise efficiency and flexibility.
Research Strategies
The European Union's Horizon Europe program has allocated €9.4 billion to battery research and innovation over the next seven years. This funding supports multiple research projects, including the development of new battery materials, the design of more efficient battery packs, and the recycling of batteries.
The UK government has invested heavily in battery research through the Faraday Battery Challenge, which has funded over 250 projects since 2017. These projects are focused on a wide range of battery technologies, including lithium-ion, solid-state, and sodium-ion batteries.
