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In this issue
EUROBAT joins Batteries 2020
EUROBAT and ACEM Joint Position
Association News
Update CEM
Update ABC
Update IBC
Latest Industry Events
Upcoming Events

 Upcoming Events 

12-14 March 2014

Brussels, Belgium

CIGRE - Innovation for Secure & Efficient Transmission Grids

 

13-14 March 2014

Barcelona, Spain 

EWEA Annual Conference 

 

19-21 March 2014

Brussels, Belgium

IARC 

 

25-27 March 2014

Dusseldorf, Germany 

Energy Storage Europe

 

1-4 April 2014 

London, UK

Energy Storage World Forum

 

7-9 May 2014

Milan, Italy 

SolarExpo  

 

2-5 June 2014

Munich, Germany

Intersolar Europe Conference

 

5-6 June 2014

Brussels, Belgium

EUROBAT Forum 

Dear     
This Newsletter brings you the latest news of the association.
We hope you will find this information useful. Please feel free to contact us should you need any additional information.  

Best wishes,
EUROBAT Office

EUROBAT joins Batteries 2020 as dissemination partner 

The EU-funded project Batteries 2020, officially launched in September 2013, aims at enhancing the lifetime and energy density of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. EUROBAT is part of the consortium of nine partners and will be in charge of disseminating the findings and deliverables of the project to the relevant community. Other consortium partners include the Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF); Aalborg Universitet; Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB); Umicore; Leclanche; Abengoa Research and Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen. The Basque R&D centre IK4-IKERLAN is the project coordinator. 

EUROBAT's participation to this project ties in very well with the association's e-Mobility Working Group as well as with other partnerships EUROBAT is working on like the MoU signed with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) on battery testing (safety and environmental) and the participation at the CEN CENELEC eMobility Coordination Group. 

Continue reading here 

 

EUROBAT and ACEM call for further support to the electrification of L-vehicles 

EUROBAT and ACEM, the association representing the motorcycle industry in Europe, published last month a joint statement calling for more attention to be paid to the electrification of L-category vehicles within the recently launched EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - Horizon 2020.

ACEM and EUROBAT are of the opinion that there is still a very high potential for further energy efficiency and environmental performance of the existing ICE-propelled L-category vehicles. Notwithstanding and in view of the European Green Vehicle Initiative and the funding programmes under preparation at the moment both associations plea with the EU authorities to support the electrification of L-category vehicles via appropriate research and innovation as well as demonstration projects.   

Continue reading here   

Association News 
New EUROBAT Structure 
A new Committee and Working Groups structure for the association is now in place: 
  • CEM - lead by Karsten Kurtz (Exide Technologies)
  • ABC - lead by Nicolo Gasparin (FIAMM) and Norbet Maleschitz (Exide Technologies)
    • Traditional Markets Working Group - lead by Maik Cordes, JCI
    • e-Mobility Working Group - lead by Olivier Amiel, SAFT 
  • IBC - lead by  Lorenzo de Micheli (EnerSys) and Michael Geiger (Exide Technologies)
    • Traditional Markets Working Group - lead by Lorenzo de Micheli (EnerSys) 
    • Storage Working Group - lead by Rainer Bussar (Exide Technologies)

SAVE THE DATE: EUROBAT FORUM 6 JUNE 2014 BRUSSELS

 

The event's programme is available on EUROBAT's website: www.eurobat.org/eurobat-agm-forum-2014-brussels-belgium

  

New Associate Member - Toray International Europe Gmbh

Toray is an integrated chemical industry group developing its business in 23 countries and regions worldwide. The company joined EUROBAT as an associate member in February 2014.
  

 

Update CEM Committee - ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY

REACH Regulation 

  • In the last three months, several meetings were held with the European Commission DGs Enterprise and Environment to discuss the case against authorization for the four lead compounds used in battery manufacturing that have been placed on the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). Meetings have also been held to discuss the case against authorisation of Cadmium and Cadmium Oxide. 
  • CEM members have begun implementing an advocacy strategy to inform different Member State authorities about the situation of the European battery industry under the REACH Regulation, specifically in relation to the four lead compounds. Successful contacts have been made in several member states.  

Recycling Streams WG

EUROBAT has organized a working group of eight other international Battery Associations to deal with the emerging problem of Lithium-ion batteries mistakenly ending up in Lead smelters. The first meeting was held at EUROBAT's offices on 11 December 2013, with progress made to clarify the problem and its underlying causes. Follow-up actions will be taken across the first quarter of 2014 to evaluate how the issue can best be addressed.

  

Battery Directive & ELV Directive
Battery Photo

EUROBAT attended a stakeholder conference at the European Commission on 5 November to give further input to Bio Intelligence Services (the assigned consultants) on their ongoing ex-post analysis of the Batteries Directive and ELV Directive. This was followed up with further written feedback, and the process will continue to be monitored across 2014.  

 

For more information on the CEM issues, please contact Chris Heron. 

Update ABC Committee - AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES
start-stop
In November 2013, Nicolo Gasparin, FIAMM's Business Unit Director for Starter & Mobility Power Solutions, was elected as the new Chairman of EUROBAT's Automotive Batteries Committee. Norbert Maleschitz, EXIDE Technology's Vice-President for R&D in Europe, will take on the position of Vice-Chairman. These executive changes were accompanied by a change of structure for the Committee, with two Working Groups launched to focus 2014 activities on starter batteries (up to 48V) and on e-Mobility batteries.

 

ABC members continued their work to support ongoing projects in preparation for a future submission under the ELV Directive. This involved detailed input into the Review of Battery Technologies for Automotive Applications, which has been prepared across 2013 by EUROBAT, the International Lead Association, ACEA, JAMA and KAMA. This report is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2014. ABC members have also contributed market expertise to the group's forthcoming Life Cycle Assessment of Lead-based batteries in cars.

 

Other working items have involved an investigation into the feasibility of collecting aggregated industry statistics for automotive batteries (SLI and micro-hybrid) sold in Europe, in order to improve the level of information available on this developing market. Members of EUROBAT's e-Mobility Working Group have focused on relevant R&I calls for proposals under the Horizon 2020 European Green Vehicles Initiative. EUROBAT is now an associate member of the European Green Vehicles Initiative Association, and continues outreach to other stakeholders. 

 
For more information about the ABC activities, please contact Erwin Marckx and Chris Heron.
Update IBC Committee - INDUSTRIAL BATTERIES

panel

The EUROBAT's Industrial Battery Committee (IBC) met at INTELEC (International Telecommunication Energy Conference) in Hamburg/Germany on 16 October 2013. Battery Energy storage in the telecommunication business represents about 30% of the total Stationary Battery Market in Europe, the industry, being fairly represented.

The IBC agreed to focus its efforts on extending the scope of the EUROBAT Industrial battery sales statistics to involve non-lead technologies and to double check the results of its internal survey with import and export data from EUROSTAT and the United Nations. Only these members who are active contributing to the exercise will be rewarded to have full access to the survey results. The totals will be made publicaly available once a year, usually at the EUROBAT FORUM event in June.
 
Besides the statistics, product development (Standardization an Innovation) is very high on the agenda to follow new market trends in telecommunication and energy markets in particular. Therefore, the IBC merge both Task Forces and to create a single IBC Storage Working Group in order to provide a stronger platform for EUROBAT to engage in EU-level discussions regarding market frameworks for grid-connected and off-grid Energy Storage. The WG met for the first time on 16 October at Intelec to agree on the work items. A rotative chairmanship is installed and it is currently Dr. Rainer Bussar/EXIDE who is leading the group.

Last but not least, the IBC decided to update the "Guide on stationary VRLA batteries". It is an old document that is still widely used on the market but needs changes to clarify the different classifications and new standards in place to describe the test criteria. We expect to have the guide ready for use and publication in March 2014.

For more information about the IBC activities, please contact Erwin Marckx and Chris Heron.
Latest Industry Events 
EUROBAT Present at Main Energy and Transport Events
EUROBAT members and staff continue to participate and speak at the main events taking place in Brussels and in other locations. 
   
28th European PV Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition, 30 September Paris  
Alfons Westgeest spoke at this event in a panel regarding the importance of energy storage in the electricity grid as well as the potential for residential energy storage and rural electrification. The panel was chaired by senior advisors from the research Institutes ECN, the Netherlands and Fraunhofer, Germany. Panelists included ABB and European and US based application specialists
 
ILZSG 58th Session (International Lead and Zinc Study Group) 3 October Lisbon
Johann-Friedrich Dempwolff, EUROBAT's President, spoke at this Session regarding the statistical reports by the EUROBAT industrial and automotive battery committees. The ILZSG includes participation by government representatives from a large number of countries around the world.    
 
World of Energy Solutions 30 September to 2 October Stuttgart
Over one thousand participants joined the 2013 edition including fuel cell and battery technology applications for e-mobility and energy storage. Around 150 exhibitors and 140 speakers participated. Alfons Westgeest announced the cooperation with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission regarding BESTEST testing facilities and the BASIT incidents database. 
 
INTERBAT 8 October Russia  
Charles-Louis Ackermann, EUROBAT Board Member, spoke on behalf of EUROBAT at this annual meeting of the Russian battery industry. He introduced the regulatory issues and policy developments in the EU. Mr. Ackermann also explained the activities of EUROBAT and the value of increased exchange between EUROBAT and the Russian association. 
 
The Future of Solar Energy in Italy 8 October Milan 
Nicola Cosciani, EUROBAT Board Member chaired a panel debate at this event that was organized by SolarPlaza with the support of ANIE and EUROBAT on "self-consumption" and the importance of battery technology applications in the face of increased production by PV panels in the country. 
 
Batteries 2013 - 14 October Nice 
With a few hundred specialists as well as a few dozen exhibitors Batteries 2013 is a 3-day conference held since over 10 years. The main sessions included updates on new technologies by suppliers of materials, universities and industry specialists. Besides representatives from member companies Alfons Westgeest spoke about the cooperation with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission regarding BESTEST testing facilities and the BASIT incidents database.

  

Solar Summit 23 October Freiburg 
The focus of the EUROBAT presentation at this one-day conference was the ability of battery storage to increase opportunities for photovoltaic installations to function under grid loading challenges and the self-consumption. Alfons Westgeest presented insights from the recent reports by the EUROBAT Storage Working Group.
 
World Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition (EVS) 17-20 November, Barcelona
The EVS is a very large exhibition and conference showcasing electro-mobility and the latest technical advances. EVS rotates regionally, with previous editions held in Los Angeles and the forthcoming EVS 28 to be held in South Korea. Several members were present at the event and the  EUROBAT intervention included the importance of battery manufacturing and research for the European economy and the cooperation with the European Commission Joint Research Center.

  

ARE Webinar 13 November 2013
EUROBAT was key note speaker at the ARE worldwide webinar on 13 November 2013 in frame of their 6 month battery compaign, Erwin Marckx comment on the off-grid battery energy storage deep-cycle technologies applications in rural area to promote the sustainability of European batteries. Many participants, mainly from north and central Africa participated and many questions were received from energy operators and decision-makers.  
 
BCI Health, Safety & Environmental Protection Conference, 16 January 2014, Florida, USA 
Barry Kelley, EnerSys Europe spoke on behalf of EUROBAT at this annual Conference about the newly introduced self-regulation by the battery industry in the EU and US regarding blood-lead occupational exposure limits.
Upcoming Events
International Automobile Recycling Congress IARC - 19-21 March in Brussels 
 
The event will provide an overview of latest news and challenges of the manufacturing and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) business. The congress will bring together the various links in the ELV recycling chain such as car manufacturers, metal and plastic scrap traders, recyclers, shredder operators and policy-makers. 
   

Energy Storage Europe - 24 March, D�sseldorf  

This year's programme will have a stronger focus on concrete business models, and the accompanying trade exhibition will concentrate more on the presentation of marketable solutions and applications for storage system. Johann-Friedrich Dempwolff (Johnson Controls Power Solutions) EUROBAT President will be speaking at this event. Event website

  

Energy Storage World Forum, 1-4 April, London 
Energy Storage World Forum London 2014 is the 7th conference organised by Dufresne Pte. Ltd. Energy Storage World Forum is a platform for experts from various industries - TSO, DSO, Utilities, Regulators and others to share their expertise, learn from academic as well as industry case studies, network, and build business contacts in the energy storage industry. EUROBAT will be moderating one of the sessions of this event. Event website 
 
EES - International Trade Fair for Batteries, Energy Storage & Innovative Production, 4-6 June Munich 
EES is the industry hotspot for suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and users of stationary and mobile electrical energy storage solutions. Covering the entire value chain of innovative battery and energy storage technologies - from components and production to specific user applications. Event website

  

Intersolar Europe 2014, 4-6 June, Munich  
Intersolar Europe is the world's largest exhibition for the solar industry and its partners. In 2013, 1,292 international exhibitors and around 50,000 trade visitors attended Intersolar Europe. 62% of the trade visitors pointed out their interest in energy storage solutions. More than 200 exhibitors presented energy storage systems at Intersolar Europe 2013. Event website   
 

EUROBAT will be speaking at the following events:  

  

Energy Storage Europe - 24 March, D�sseldorf  

Johann-Friedrich Dempwolff (Johnson Controls Power Solutions) EUROBAT President      

 

Energy Storage World Forum - 4 April, London

 

Intersolar Europe - 5 June, Munich 

 

World of Energy Solutions, 6 - 8 October, Stuttgart

 

14th European Lead Battery Conference - 9 September, Edinburgh

Johann-Friedrich Dempwolff (Johnson Controls Power Solutions) EUROBAT President    

 


Raquel Ponte Costa
Communications Manager

 

EUROBAT Office
Avenue Jules Bordet 142
B-1140 Brussels, Belgium 
Phone: +32 2 761 16 53
Fax: +32 2 761 16 99
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.eurobat.org