What are thease guidelines on safety best practices for battery energy storage systems?

The EASE Guidelines on Safety Best Practices for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are designed to support the safe deployment of outdoor, utility-scale lithium-ion (Li-ion) BESS across Europe.

Why is battery production important for the EU?

Batteries, widely used in the transport and energy sectors, are central to the global energy system. They will be key to the EU's clean energy transition, industrial future and strategic autonomy. Boosting the industrial base for battery production is therefore a key task for the EU.

How does the EU operate in the battery sector?

The EU has long recognised batteries as a strategic technology. The EU operates in the battery sector primarily in three ways. Firstly, by providing strategic impetus within the sector, using its convening power to improve cooperation among stakeholders and define an EU industrial strategy.

How big is Europe's battery manufacturing capacity in 2023?

Additionally, Europe's total installed battery manufacturing capacity had reached 167 GWh in 2023 (capacity utilisation rates of battery plants are not 100 %). Source: European Commission, Dashboard towards zero-emission vehicles, April 2024.

How many battery factories are there in Europe?

This, coupled with the ongoing competition with China, is why it is anticipated that around 250 battery factories will be established in Europe over the next ten years. By the end of last year, approximately 20 projects had been confirmed in European states such as France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Are'made in Europe' batteries the future?

The recent collapse of Northvolt, once hailed as Europe's flagship home-grown battery manufacturer, has raised serious concerns about the future of batteries 'made in Europe'. The EU has long recognised batteries as one of its strategic technological sectors.