The Faraday Institution programme: A UK perspective on innovation in the battery sector

Electrochemical energy storage is a key component of a carbon neutral energy system, providing solutions for transport (ground, water and air-based), grid energy storage for short- and long-duration and will be important in managing the energy demands of data-centres and the growth of AI. Innovation in the sector is progressing at a rapid pace with new interventions in both lithium-ion and beyond lithium-ion having market impact. The UK played an important role in the development of the lithium-ion batteries in the 1970s and 1980s and currently has a thriving battery research community. Battery innovation is a key component of the UK’s Industrial Strategy and the UK government has supported battery research first through the Faraday Battery Challenge from 2017-2025 and then the Battery Innovation Programme from 2025-2030+. The Faraday Institution delivers the coordination of the low Technology Readiness Level, TRL, element of the programme. The Faraday Institution, FI, programme covers all aspects of battery research from manufacturing, safety, degradation and recycling through to the development of next generation chemistries. The FI also coordinates skills development, community building, technology acceleration with industry and evidenced based insights for policymakers. There remain frontier opportunities for battery innovation, e.g. the development of ultra-low-cost solutions deployable for long-duration energy storage and ultra-high energy density that might offer tenable solutions for aviation. The present article sets out the development, programme and achievements of the UK’s battery research programme and the role of the Faraday Institution.