Battery Systems as a cornerstone of the sustainable energy transition

Expert-led Battery Systems course with a collaborative approach

Jean-Marc Timmermans, Senior Business Group Leader at Agoria, explains: “With this programme, we aim to provide a platform for Belgian companies active in the technological industry and dealing with battery systems for various applications. It is important that we offer training on this key technology to people in the field, together with experts from both academia and industry.”

Jan Cappelle, professor sustainable energy technologies at KU Leuven Ghent Campus and lecturer within Battery Systems, adds: “Our research does not stop at high-level theory; it has always had a practical approach. As a result, we have gained a lot of experience with the use of batteries, their limitations, and the practical constraints. It is important to incorporate this practical experience into the course.”

Innovating with batteries for a cleaner future

Battery technology plays a crucial role in the energy transition. Jean-Marc emphasises: “Battery technology and battery systems are enabling technologies to make the sustainable energy transition. As a society, we aim to reduce our CO₂ emissions by making more use of renewable energy and by electrifying many applications. For both, we need battery systems.”

Jan adds: “In our research, we have worked on projects related to electric mobility and energy systems, where batteries play a central role. The reuse of batteries is one of the innovations that this training focuses on. Batteries that have reached the end of their life for mobile applications can still be reused in other, less demanding applications.”

Innovative Modules in Battery Systems

The programme consists of various modules, each covering an aspect of battery systems. Jean-Marc and Jan jointly provide an introductory session explaining the state of developments on the industrial side and the role of batteries in the energy system. There are also sessions on the reuse and recycling of batteries, and the associated business models.

Jan explains: “We provide a session on the reuse of batteries. We have had projects where we obtained a batch of used car and bus batteries through the industry with the question: can we start a business around this? That story is included in the second life module.”

An important part of the course is the company visits. Jean-Marc says: “We have integrated company visits into the programme to link theory and practice. This offers participants the opportunity to directly apply the knowledge they acquire and see how companies work with battery systems in practice.”

Jan emphasises the importance of these visits: “During the company visits, there is always room for questions. Participants can pitch their concrete problems to the lecturers and experts, which creates an interaction and a better understanding of the subject matter.”

Lifelong learning as a key factor

The first edition of the programme was a success, but under the motto of lifelong learning, there is always room for improvement. Jean-Marc: “We received feedback from the participants, and an important point that emerged was the aspect of safety. There are certain risks associated with batteries, and we will address this in the next edition with an additional module.”

Jan adds: “What also struck me was the diversity in the background of the participants. This ensures that we keep the training broad and do not focus on one technology or application. We remain open to new developments and trends in the battery industry. And so, there are often unexpected questions from people who are not entirely familiar with a particular subdomain of battery systems.”

Programme manager Jorie Soltic jumps in: “We spoke with some of our alumni from the first edition and they confirmed that the difference in background is key to community building. It helps kickstart different thought processes which is an absolute plus.”

From solid-state to sustainability - The future of Battery Systems

The battery industry is not standing still, and new technologies continue to develop. Jean-Marc notes: “One of the new developments we are looking forward to is solid-state battery technology. This is seen as the next step in battery development, and it will also be covered in the course.” Jan expresses the importance of flexibility: “As mentioned, we do not focus on one technology or application. The course evolves with the market and technologies, and we also learn from the questions and feedback from the participants.”

The Battery Systems programme offers a comprehensive and practical look into the world of battery systems, essential for the energy transition. With contributions from experts from both academia and industry and through company visits and practical sessions, participants gain an in-depth understanding of the technologies and applications of battery systems. As Jean-Marc says: “This course perfectly aligns with the energy transition and the advancement of sustainable technologies.” Through this programme, professionals are better equipped to address the challenges of the energy transition and actively contribute to the development of a more sustainable society.