Battery Insiders

Dr. Simon Engelke speaks with Yann Vincent, CEO of Automotive Cells Company (ACC) to explore the strategic vision and challenges of strengthening Europe's battery independence through sustainable manufacturing, regulatory navigation, and future expansion plans.  ACC is a European battery manufacturer backed by Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies. They build gigafactories to power Euro...

In this episode of the Battery Insiders podcast, Dr. Simon Engelke speaks with Mr Vikram Handa, Founder and Managing director of Epsilon Advanced Materials, about the critical role of synthetic graphite in battery supply chains. They discuss the innovative production processes, the differences between synthetic and natural graphite, and the cost dynamics affecting the industry. Vikram Handa shares...

In this exclusive battery insiders podcast conversation, Simon Engelke interviews Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE, discussing his journey in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, the evolution of battery technology, and the strategic direction of PowerCo. Blome shares insights on the challenges and innovations in battery production, including the development of solid-state batteries and cost manageme...

In this episode of the Battery Insiders Podcast, Dr. Simon Engelke interviews Niclas Lehnert, co-founder of Pulsetrain, to discuss the innovative technology of multi-level inverters and their potential impact on the electric vehicle industry. They explore the workings of multi-level inverters, the challenges faced in their adoption, the role of AI in extending battery life, and the importance of d...

In this episode of the Battery Insiders Podcast , Dr Simon Engelke speaks with Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission , about the transformative role of battery technology in achieving net-zero emissions. They discuss the rapid decline in battery costs, the importance of long-duration storage solutions, the challenges and opportunities in electric vehicle integration, regula...

In this episode of the Battery Insiders podcast, Simon Engelke speaks with Julia Poliscanova about the current state and future of the battery industry in Europe. They discuss the geopolitical dynamics affecting battery production, the need for a European equivalent to the US Inflation Reduction Act, and the challenges faced by European gigafactories. The conversation also covers energy costs, the...

In this episode, Dr. Xi Dou, co-founder and CEO of Hytzer Energy, discusses the current state and future potential of solid-state batteries (SSBs). He highlights their advantages, including higher energy density, much higher power density and intrinsically improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion and other solid-state batteries, and explains the scientific and manufacturing challenges t...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Ken Hoffman highlights the competitive advancements in battery technology, particularly in China, where innovations in battery pack design allow for extended ranges and rapid recharge times, giving them an edge over Western models. Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are also very cost-competitive, putting pressure on Western markets. To close the gap, Western compan...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Celina Mikolajczak, Chief Battery Technology Officer at Lyten, shares insights from her 25-year career in the battery industry, detailing her work from early battery failure analysis to pioneering electric vehicle batteries at Tesla, where she helped address large-scale manufacturing and safety challenges. Reflecting on the growth of the battery market and her ex...

In this episode, our guest speaker Lie, CEO of AM Batteries, discusses advancements in dry electrode manufacturing, a solvent-free alternative to traditional wet battery production that is more sustainable and cost-effective. Lee highlights how AM Batteries process eliminates the toxic solvent NMP, used in conventional methods, reducing both environmental impact and production costs by up to 40%....

In this episode, Our guest speaker Dr. Rashi Gupta, CEO of Vision Mechatronics, discussed her journey in lithium battery manufacturing during the Battery Insiders Podcast, highlighting her early start in 2015 and overcoming skepticism about the industry's viability. She emphasized the significance of second-life batteries in India's price-sensitive market, bridging the gap between traditional lead...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Uday Narang, Founder of Omega Seiki Mobility, discusses the rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market, especially in emerging economies like India, where affordability and local customization are driving adoption. He emphasizes the importance of building a strong EV ecosystem, including infrastructure and strategic global partnerships, to support this tran...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Debmalya Sen discusses the rapid development of India’s battery storage sector, despite starting late. India currently has a small installed capacity of 2 GWh but is targeting 200 GWh by 2030 to support its renewable energy goals. The government has introduced policies and incentives, such as energy storage obligations and waivers, to accelerate the industry. Whi...

In this episode, our guest speaker Sebastian Wolf, COO of PowerCo SE, discusses the company's role as a Volkswagen subsidiary focused on producing standardized battery cells, known as unified cells, for electric vehicles. He talks about the challenges and opportunities in the European battery market, including sustainability requirements, high labour and energy costs, and competition from Asian ma...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Antonio Montoto Rojo from Greenvolt Power joins us to discuss the future of energy storage and green energy projects across Europe and beyond. Learn about the company's innovative projects in countries like Poland, Hungary, and the UK, and gain insight into procurement strategies, capital management, and key revenue models in the energy sector. Don't miss this de...

In this episode of the Battery Insiders podcast, Gloria joins Simon live from China to discuss Australia's role in the global battery market. They explore the country's strong focus on upstream resource extraction, especially for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Gloria highlights the challenges Australian companies face in securing investment and advancing technology for energy...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Glenn Penaranda, a representative from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, discusses the Philippines' vision for its battery industry. The country aims to promote renewable energy and green mobility by leveraging its rich reserves of green metals, such as nickel and copper, which are essential for battery manufacturing. The government has removed tariffs...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Dr. Ing Ulrich Ehmes discusses the promise of lithium-sulfur batteries developed by Theion. These batteries aim to achieve a carbon-neutral future by significantly increasing energy density to 1,000 Wh/kg while reducing costs by a factor of three and cutting CO2 emissions. Sulfur's abundance and low cost make it an attractive alternative to traditional materials...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Henry Sanderson, Executive editor at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence and author of "Volt Rush," delves into his book which examines the critical role of raw materials in the clean energy transition and China's control over these supply chains. Sanderson highlights the energy-intensive nature of mining and processing materials like lithium and graphite, mostly domi...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Eric from the Lithium Association of Zimbabwe discusses Zimbabwe's strategy to maximize the benefits of its substantial lithium reserves. Zimbabwe aims to ensure that its lithium resources directly benefit the local economy by mandating that all stages of lithium production, from mining to battery-grade processing, occur within the country. The government has imp...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Michael Liebreich, CEO of Liebreich Associates and co-founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), delves into his extensive background in the clean energy sector. He reflects on the challenges and growth of clean energy finance since he started BNEF in 2004, highlighting the shift from niche markets to mainstream adoption. Liebreich discusses the significant...

In this episode, Our guest speaker Dr Sam Cooper, Senior lecturer at Imperial College London and chief scientist at Polaron. Cooper shares insights into the challenges of conducting big data battery research due to limited industry data access and the recent improvements in data sharing. He explores the impact of AI on battery development, emphasising its role in optimising processes without chang...

In this episode, our guest Wolfgang Bernhart discusses the current dynamics of the Chinese market and its global impact on the battery industry. Wolfgang provides an overview of China’s significant investments in upstream sectors like nickel and lithium, as well as the challenges of overcapacity in graphite and cell manufacturing, leading to price drops and new regulations. He explains the barrier...

Our podcast speaker, Ryan Melsert, CEO, CTO, and Director of American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), shares his insights on battery recycling technology and explains ABTC’s proprietary claystone lithium extraction process. He also discusses how ABTC’s business model can help OEMs and battery manufacturers create a sustainable battery life cycle. If you are interested in learning more about bat...

Our podcast speaker, Kevin Fok, Director of Compliance at LG Energy Solution Vertech, discusses energy storage systems (ESS). Kevin provides an overview of ESS codes and standards, highlighting the importance of standards like UL 1973, UL 9540, and NFPA 855 in ensuring safety and compliance in ESS design and installation. He discusses how ESS codes and standards vary across different jurisdictions...