The increasing capacity of new metal-air batteries to withstand a greater number of charge and discharge cycles while providing stable and safe energy means that this type of battery is getting closer every day to meeting the demanding requirements of the automotive industry for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. As Joaquín Chacón, General Manager of Albufera Energy Storage (the company organizing the Congress), pointed out: “Major automotive brands are beginning to see these types of batteries as potential replacements for current storage systems; in fact, several of them have contacted Albufera Energy Storage to express their interest.” Audi stands out in this regard, having committed to dedicating all its research funds to electric vehicles starting in 2025.
During the congress, held at the WALQA Technology Park, it was highlighted that metal-air batteries are the most promising option to go beyond lithium-ion batteries and overcome some of their drawbacks. In these batteries, one of the reactants is oxygen from the air, which is very abundant, lightweight, and free. For these reasons, the specific energy of a metal-air battery can be 7-8 times greater than that of a lithium-ion battery, providing, for example, an electric car with a range approaching the target of 500 km, at an estimated cost of less than €100/kilowatt-hour. (The current price of lithium-ion batteries is around €500/kilowatt-hour for an average range of around 200 km).
European Policies:
The MaBIC17 Congress featured Andreea Strachinescu, representing the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, who explained that in recent years, the Commission has significantly increased its budget for energy storage research. Strachinescu detailed that current requirements stipulate that R&D projects on energy storage solutions receiving funding must be tested under near-real-world grid conditions and, if possible, developed in conjunction with other flexibility measures such as demand response and connectivity with other energy networks, such as those for heat, gas, or transportation.
The European Commission representative encouraged those present to be optimistic about the European Commission's support in the future and explained that the Horizon 2020 program currently funds more than 30 projects, totaling more than €300 million, aimed at progress in electrical storage, as well as developing its flexibility and its applications for electrical transmission and distribution networks.
Facilities in agri-food farms
The Congress hosted a Technology Transfer Day showcasing several examples of initiatives implemented by agri-food farm owners to reduce their energy costs. These initiatives included the design of online platforms for monitoring electricity consumption and bills, scheduling production and irrigation pumping, optimizing contracted power, collective bargaining of contracts, and cost reduction through alternative energy sources and storage systems. They were particularly implemented after the significant increase in the fixed power charge in 2013, which doubled electricity supply costs for farms.
The Technology Transfer Day featured several examples of solar-powered irrigation pumping systems and systems replacing diesel fuel on a pig farm with solar energy and battery storage. The LIFE REWIND project was also presented, a comprehensive system that provides photovoltaic energy to a winery's wastewater treatment system and to pump water for vineyard irrigation. This project also includes a battery storage system and another system that generates hydrogen, which is stored in a tank for long-term use and powered by an agricultural vehicle at the facility.
The Congress was held in collaboration with various Aragonese entities, such as the Hydrogen Foundation, the Aragonese Institute of Finance (IAF), ITAINNOVA, CIRCE, the WALQA Technology Park in Huesca, Motorland Aragón, and the Aula Dei Foundation. In addition, several collaborating companies, including Bio-Logic Science Instruments, Vertex Technics, 3M Heat Management, and the Ecopilas Foundation, showcased their energy services and solutions at booths near the Congress entrance.
