Hyperdrive Innovation, a Sunderland, UK-based developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, has completed its UK government-backed High Energy Density Battery (HEDB) project.
The HEDB project was funded through The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), a joint government and automotive industry initiative to accelerate the development of low-emission technology in the UK.
Hyperdrive, in collaboration with Nissan, the University of Newcastle, Warwick Manufacturing Group and Zero Carbon Futures, has developed a new manufacturing process at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, which allows the car maker to produce 40kWh battery cells in the UK and for European markets.
For Hyperdrive, a commercial agreement with Nissan for incorporating their battery cells into modular and bespoke design systems means there are new routes to market using Nissan cells in battery packs for both EV and stationary energy storage systems.
The project has also enabled the design of a new universal, modular energy storage system and installation of a pilot line for prototyping and pack assembly at the company’s Sunderland facility.
The first applications for Hyperdrive’s new high-performance battery packs have included construction machines, municipal vehicles, airport ground fleets and autonomous vehicles.
The £19m (US$26.5m) project included a £9.7m (US$13.5m) grant from the APC as part of APC4, driving UK capability and economic impact through low-carbon propulsion technologies.
“The HEDB project has been pivotal in developing the UK and the Northeast in particular as a global player in battery technology,” said Stephen Irish, managing director at Hyperdrive.
“It has played a crucial role in supporting our expansion where during the project we have increased headcount three-fold in developing both our IP and manufacturing capabilities.”
Jon Beasley, director of Technology and Projects at the APC, added, “This project exemplifies the value of consortia projects, with partners working together to exploit their capabilities, both jointly and individually.”
February 27, 2018