Energy boost at ELBC: how pioneering research is changing the shape of modern lead batteries

This year’s ELBC featured a lot of firsts. First time being held virtually. First time featuring a live studio. And the first time it was co-organized by the Consortium for Battery Innovation with the International Lead Association. 

With the challenges of the pandemic impacting the global stage in every way, the decision to move ELBC to a live and online event had to maintain ELBC’s reputation as a scientifically and technically rich conference. ELBC has always been the forum for technical debate, market discussion and networking of the global lead battery industry.

The breadth of highly important topics relevant to the industry were covered by a diverse speaker line-up: industry leaders, researchers, market analysts and more. The live and online format of ELBC featured pre-recorded summaries for each session, followed by a live panel discussion chaired by battery experts.

The interactive Technical Sessions not only delivered the scientific content which is the cornerstone of ELBC, but also generated opportunities for questions, discussion and debate amongst delegates.

The opening of the conference by Dr Andy Bush, Managing Director of ILA, reiterated the critical role of lead batteries, especially during the pandemic, with essential services and infrastructure relying on batteries for power. Increasing competition from other battery technologies only strengthens the need for “faster and more impactful innovation, in order to unlock the full potential of lead batteries”.

This is where CBI comes in. Our core focus is research and innovation. The dedicated research session was a key opportunity to share the Consortium’s path for innovation in lead battery technology as detailed in our Technical Roadmap. Improvements in dynamic charge acceptance and cycle life have been identified as top priorities to ensure future opportunities are grasped for lead batteries in the diverse markets they’re used in. 

The research session featured some of the latest work being undertaken in lead battery research, from the use of carbon additives to enhance DCA performance to cycling performance benchmarking for energy storage.

Now more than ever, energy storage is a fundamental driver for clean, renewable energy transitions across the globe. With an encouraging message from Patrick Clerens, Secretary General of the European Association for Storage of Energy (EASE), lead batteries are expected to increase their storage market share over the next 10 years in Europe. And this trend is expected to happen globally.

With the growing importance of batteries for delivering a low carbon future, technologies which are innovating have many opportunities for future investment across all applications.