Demand for batteries is expected to increase by a factor of 14 by 2030 compared to 2018. According to Brussels’ guidelines, batteries used in the EU must, among other things, have high energy density and capacity, be cost-effective, durable, safe, and reusable. In addition, they must be produced sustainably and with minimal environmental impact using materials obtained in full compliance with social and environmental standards.

TwinVECTOR is funded under the EU’s “Twinning” grant scheme, which supports institutional cooperation and the exchange of best practices between public administrations of EU member states and of beneficiary or partner countries. Within this framework, the TwinVECTOR consortium aims to address the topic of battery development and production in a multidisciplinary manner. To this end, national and international stakeholders from academia and industry will be brought together.

ITAS is responsible for “enhancing research capacity in sustainability assessment” and aims to provide a basic understanding of conducting sustainability assessments from a life-cycle perspective. Methods such as life cycle assessment (LCA) and social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) are considered within the framework of responsible research and innovation (RRI). The knowledge exchange will help improve skills and establish a strong network for future collaboration coordinated by Tomas Bata University (TBU). KIT will develop a concept for teaching strategies and materials (e.g., workshop structure, presentations, examples). Methodological approaches, ranging from RRI to data collection, life cycle inventory modeling, life cycle impact assessment, and interpretation of results, will be explained and discussed throughout the project. Finally, a “sustainability theater” will be organized in close collaboration with TBU. This will guide a transdisciplinary group of researchers through a moderated IT- and model-based discussion process to find a common approach to bridge the gap from lab to market introduction and societal acceptance, taking RRI into account. In addition, a case study will be conducted involving LCA and multi-criteria decision analysis for batteries and different stakeholders. Finally, a discussion on goals, challenges, and implementation of life-cycle-based methods for capacity development will be provided.

Project website: https://twinvector.eu

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