3beLiEVe has performed research and innovation activities in the domain of advanced Li-ion cells (generation 3b). It has taken a highly integrated view of the value chain of an innovative generation 3b battery chemistry based on a cobalt-free lithium nickel manganese oxide cathode and a silicon-graphite anode, from active materials through cell assembly, first life in automotive applications, second life in a stationary battery energy storage system, and finally disassembly and recycling.
This work has resulted in the output of seven journal publications, two peer reviewed conference publications, 12 presentations at conferences, one white paper, 20 public deliverables, and presentation of the project and its results at 14 public events.
The 3beLiEVe consortium comprises of 21 partners from 10 different European countries representing ten (10) industrial companies, four (4) SMEs, six (6) RTOs, and one (1) university. The project has provided exposure across a large part of the battery value chain, from requirements and raw materials through to recycling. Each partner has been able to conduct their work in this context and benefit from the pooling of expertise, perspectives, equipment, and capabilities beyond the scope of any single partner. The high level of integration has promoted cooperation across all the organisations and led to better understanding of requirements, processes, and challenges in the development and upscaling of novel lithium-ion cell chemistries.
The 3beLiEVe lifecycle analysis has shown that LNMO cathode technology has the potential to achieve significant (~20%) reductions in lifecycle GHG emissions vs. comparable NMC-based li-ion battery cells, as well as a complete elimination of Co and a significant reduction of Mn. From an environmental as well as from a supply chain and human rights perspective, these can be positive developments if this gen3b technology were to gain traction in the market.
3beLiEVe delivers economic and technological has impact through:
1) Capacity building across the battery value chain: the knowledge gained by all individual participants and institutions acts directly to support the European industry in terms of technological knowledge and preparedness for fast implementation. There is observable networking and mobility of skilled people between different actors (companies, etc.) along the value chain. Project results show what works and where there are still research and development gaps.
2) Exploitation of results: the project results create impact through their further exploitation. This happens along the lines of i) use of the results for further (co-funded) research (e.g. project HighSpin), and ii) use of the results for product and service development (see D8.3).
3beLiEVe has highlighted promising advances on the cathode side and large-volume manufacturing for gen3b cells. Challenges in the full-cell performance have been identified, particularly for the cycle life (stability) of cells with LNMO cathode, silicon-graphite anode and high-voltage electrolyte. Stable performance and more extensive testing will be needed to demonstrate TRL6 for this cell chemistry.
The lifecycle costing has shown that while some of the anticipated cost reductions from the 2019 baseline could be realised, the 90€/kWh cost target at pack level could not be reached under the assumptions and with the results of this project. 138€/kWh could be confirmed with conservative estimates, though that is not to say that this is the lowest possible cost.
The 3beLiEVe lifecycle assessment has shown that LNMO can enable the reduction of Coin lithium-ion batteries by 100% (complete elimination) and the reduction of Ni by ~60 %, through substitution with Mn versus comparable NMC-based chemistry.
