On the April 30th, three of Europe’s leading battery research projects, HighMag, ANGeLiC, and TALISSMAN, joined forces for a webinar that brought the conversation beyond the lab and closer to real-world deployment. Moderated by Andréia Santos (F6S Innovation), the event gathered a high-level audience of researchers, industry representatives, universities, policymakers, and European Commission stakeholders to explore the future of “Generation 5” battery technologies.
Why this matters
Batteries are a cornerstone of the energy transition. They enable clean mobility, support the integration of renewable energy, and play a critical role in strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness. However, while lithium-ion technologies have driven remarkable progress, they are approaching their limits in terms of performance, cost, sustainability, and reliance on critical raw materials.
Generation 5 batteries—such as lithium–sulfur and magnesium-based systems—offer a promising alternative, with the potential for higher energy density, improved sustainability, enhanced safety, and reduced costs.
A collaborative European effort
The webinar highlighted the strength of collaboration under Horizon Europe. Each project brings a distinct focus: ANGeLiC on next-generation lithium–sulfur cells, HighMag on magnesium-based technologies, and TALISSMAN on safe and sustainable lithium–sulfur batteries. Together, they form a powerful innovation portfolio supporting Europe’s long-term strategic goals.
Expert insights
The session featured contributions from leading experts in the field:
- Markéta Zukalová (ANGeLiC, Czech Academy of Sciences), who presented the ANGeLiC approach to ALD-protected lithium–sulfur batteries and shared insights from her extensive work on electrochemical nanomaterials.
- Yuri Surace (HighMag, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology), who explored the role of magnesium batteries as a key technology for a sustainable energy future.
- Ainhoa Fernandez Tena (TALISSMAN, CIDETEC Energy Storage), who highlighted advances in lithium–sulfur batteries for safe and sustainable mobility.
Tackling the Key Challenges
A central part of the webinar was the structured roundtable discussion, organised into three thematic challenge blocks, each addressing critical barriers to the adoption of Generation 5 batteries:
- Materials & Technology Breakthroughs (moderated by Damian Cupid, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology)
Focused on advancing material performance, improving stability, assessing availability and overcoming key degradation mechanisms that limit battery lifespan and efficiency. - Manufacturing & Industrialisation Readiness (moderated by Didier Devaux, CNRS)
Explored the challenges of scaling up from lab to industry, including compatibility with existing production lines, quality control, and cost-effective manufacturing processes. - Gen 5 for High-Energy and High-Power Applications (moderated by Christian Jordy, Saft)
Addressed the requirements for real-world applications, particularly the balance between achieving high energy density, fast charging, and long-term reliability.
Strong engagement and growing momentum
With 121 registrations and 70 live participants, the webinar demonstrated strong interest and engagement from across the sector. The active Q&A session further highlighted the urgency and relevance of these topics.
Moving forward
By joining forces, HighMag, ANGeLiC, and TALISSMAN showcased not only technological innovation but also a shared vision for Europe’s energy future. Their collaboration sends a clear message: advancing Gen-5 batteries will require not only scientific breakthroughs, but also coordinated efforts across research, industry, and policy.
The path to a more sustainable, scalable, and competitive European battery ecosystem is underway and collaboration will be key to accelerating it.
