Germany could fall behind on battery research – industry and researchers
Clean Energy Wire / electrive
State funding cuts for battery research projects mean that Germany’s government is exiting a key future technology, while other regions of the world increase their research and development efforts, criticised several industry associations and institutes. For the second time this year, the research ministry has cancelled the deadline for submitting new research proposals in a key government programme, reported electrive. The ministry had earlier told the news outlet that from 2025 there would likely be no funding for new battery research projects.
The alliance said the independence and competitiveness of high-tech locations will also depend on new and continuous development of batteries and their production in large quantities. “Withdrawal from research and further development would mean stagnation and thus a loss of competitiveness for all companies involved in the ecosystem and for industries whose products are based on batteries,” it wrote. It called on the government “to send clear signals that battery research will be continued and even expanded in order to counter the uncertainties and the reduction in battery research that is already happening.”
Batteries are key for the transition to climate neutrality, as they are needed in applications from e-cars to storage of intermittent solar electricity. Alongside green hydrogen, large battery storage facilities are seen as a key technology for completing the transformation of Germany’s energy system to renewable power, as they are needed to stabilise the grid at times of little wind or sunshine.
