Effective electric energy storage is crucial for the ongoing energy transition, a fact underscored by the recent opening of TNO’s Battery Lab at Holst Centre in Eindhoven. This state-of-the-art facility, inaugurated on May 13th, serves as a hub for TNO experts and partnering companies to delve into the research, development, and testing of next-generation battery technologies. Their collective goal? To propel these advancements from the realm of innovation into scalable solutions primed for mass production.
The imperative for such progress is clear: as electric vehicles proliferate across diverse sectors—ranging from automobiles to buses, trucks, and even maritime vessels—the limitations of existing battery technologies loom large. To fully realize the potential of electrification, we require batteries endowed with superior energy density, enhanced power output, and rapid, safe recharging capabilities. Program Manager Next Generation Battery Technology at TNO, André Schilt: “The Netherlands has the knowledge, expertise and technologies to make next-generation batteries possible. This new laboratory will help startups, entrepreneurs and established companies accelerate their ideas and innovations.”
Central to this endeavor is the intricate integration of diverse materials within the battery cell—a process that significantly influences its ultimate performance. While numerous Dutch enterprises are actively engaged in pioneering battery research, many lack the requisite infrastructure for integrating novel materials and components into viable cell designs.
Enter the Battery Lab, a unique testing facility poised to address this critical gap. Equipped with cutting-edge amenities, this lab facilitates the synthesis and evaluation of battery cells, enabling researchers to seamlessly incorporate and refine new materials across varied cell architectures. The fruition of this endeavor, achieved through rigorous efforts over the past three years and bolstered by financial backing from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Province of North Brabant, signifies a significant milestone in advancing battery technology. Among its notable features are advanced measuring apparatus, workstations outfitted with chemically inert atmospheres (gloveboxes), and specialized instruments for applying protective nano-coatings—an essential element for enhancing battery longevity. Moreover, the lab boasts capabilities for augmenting energy density through the utilization of intricate 3D structures, as well as enhancing safety via the implementation of Solid State Electrolyte technologies.
