Dutch industry joins forces in newly founded Battery Competence Center

October 28, 2021

The new consortium, which includes TU/e, aims to become a center of innovative battery technology.

Dutch companies, knowledge institutes and industry associations join forces in a new innovation program called Battery Competence Center. In this way, the collaborating parties, including TU/e, want to build up knowledge and competences in the field of battery technology and strengthen the competitive position of the Dutch manufacturing industry. 

To make the energy transition a success, innovative battery technology is indispensable. The Netherlands has renown companies that are active in the mobility sector, such as DAF Trucks, VDL Groep and Damen Shipyards. These companies are fully committed to electrify their vehicles and vessels.

By joining forces with knowledge institutes and promising startups in the field of battery technology and production processes, the Battery Competence Center wants to assemble battery packs in the Netherlands and thus increase the economic opportunities for Dutch Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and startups. A large part of the parties involved in the program as well as innovative startups in battery technology are located in the Brainport Eindhoven region. 

Building battery knowledge through unique collaboration  

The Battery Competence Center is a unique partnership in which knowledge is shared to work on the development of battery packs for buses, trucks and ships. The partners in the Battery Competence Center combine their knowledge in order to improve the development and production of battery packs in such a way that the vehicle or vessel becomes better and more competitive. The parties are also working together on increasing the purchasing power of the companies. This makes the Netherlands less dependent on foreign suppliers.  

The consortium consists of the leading companies DAF Trucks, VDL Groep and Damen Shipyards, startup ELEO Technologies, the knowledge institutes TNO Traffic & Transport and TU/e, economic development agency Brainport Development and industry associations RAI Automotive Industry NL and Netherlands Maritime Technology (NMT).  

TU/e's contribution lies, among other things, on modeling battery behavior (electrical, thermal, aging) and in the development of new Battery Management Systems, to ensure batteries are charged safely and efficiently. This research will be done by Tijs Donkers. Other researchers involved in the consortium on behalf of TU/e are Maarten Steinbuch and Auke Hoekstra. The researchers will work together closely with our research institutes EAISI and EIRES.

Long-term strategy

The Battery Competence Center wants the Netherlands to take an important position in the European battery chain. The Netherlands already has a number of important competencies for taking this position. This includes the development of complex production processes and machines, but also the expertise in the field of thin-film technology and plasma chemistry that is needed to develop a new generation battery cells.

The favorable logistics location of the Netherlands in Europe and the strong automotive and maritime industry are important success factors. To capitalize on these opportunities, the Battery Competence Center further develops the ecosystem by setting up multiple collaborative projects, representing and positioning the industry in the national and European playing field and maximizing knowledge sharing within the network.

Media contact

Henk van Appeven
(Communications Adviser)

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