The Protected Anodes for Lithium Sulphur Batteries Project (PALIS) will project will develop an innovative protected lithium anode component for use in Li-S batteries. The technology will mitigate detrimental side reactions in the cells, delivering higher performance, high energy density and lower cost Li-S cells for use in smart grid energy storage applications. The approach also enables replacement of critical metals such as Co/Ni currently used in Li-ion batteries with lower cost carbon, sulphur and lithium. The consortium of Johnson Matthey, Oxford University, Ilika Technologies Ltd, Warwick Manufacturing Group and Williams Advanced Engineering combines skills in novel materials and electrode design, PVD and polymer composite coating, scale up of electrodes and industrially relevant sized pouch cells, also cell, module, pack testing and system design. The project will ultimately deliver a module design study, assessing the performance of the new technology components interlinking performance of project cells with usage patterns/cycles for energy/power in main market applications in the energy storage sector.

Cars that drive themselves promise massive improvements in safety, much reduced congestion, and the potential to help reduce climate change emissions. The key barrier to public acceptance is lack of confidence in how they might respond to the real events that happen on real roads; cyclists, pedestrians, bad drivers. Dense cities are the most challenging scenarios. Based on deep insurance expertise and extensive social research VENTURER will quantify the response of the public (passengers, road users, pedestrians) to increasing levels of driver assistance, and in some of the most complex road & traffic scenarios. Using safe on-road trials of cars and electric passenger pods, alongside an accurate virtual simulation, VENTURER will gain a deep understanding of public attitudes and reactions to inform public policy, and signpost the way towards a safe and managed transition to driverless cars. Establishing testing grounds for autonomous vehicles and technologies in the Bristol area, VENTURER will boldly go where no car has gone before!

The project will look at optimising efficiency, fatigue life, and cost of multiple-flywheel energy storage systems for grid applications. Energy system operators/owners have a need for energy-storage in order to stabilise grids against fluctuating power demand and supply. This is particularly relevant when incorporating renewable energy sources into islanded, remote or 'weak' micro grids. Williams' already well developed and innovative flywheel energy-storage technology is ideally suited to this application, due to its fast response, high power, low maintenance, and twenty year life. Through this project, supervisory control strategies for a scalable multiple flywheel syetm will be developed to optimise system efficiency and flywheel fatigue life. Optimal grid tie inverter arrangements (numbers and ratings), in terms of efficiency and cost, will also be investigated to further improve the complete energy storage solution.

The project will demonstrate the use of sodium-ion technology in low cost batteries for applications in transport and the storage of renewable energy. If it is succesful, it will enable a faster adoption of electric vehicle and renewable technologies. The project is a collaboration between three partners namely Faradion Ltd., Williams Advanced Engineering and Oxford University.

The Evoque_e project will design and develop innovative hybrid and electric propulsion systems, integrated structures, power electronics, electric drives and energy optimisation. The project will deliver a technology platform which is scaleable, configurable and compatible. The collaboration of partners is led by Jaguar Land Rover, established large companies and 1st tier suppliers: GKN Driveline (GKN), Zytek Automotive, AVL Powertrain UK Ltd (AVL), TATA Steel and Johnson Matthey (Axeon). Three innovative SMEs: Delta Motorsport, Drive System Design (DSD) and Motor Design Ltd (MDL). Plus three leading Universities: Cranfield University, Bristol University and Newcastle University. For the first time, this unique project develops an integrated approach to system development and optimisation, from design to testing, encompassing three technology vehicle demonstrators: Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle and a Battery Electric Vehicle. All vehicles will be based on the Range Rover Evoque platform optimised for high volume production and capable of delivering benchmark performance in terms of cost, weight and sustainable use of materials.

To develop high-fidelity computer models of high-speed electromechanical flywheel storage and power system model, to analyse their dynamic performance and develop robust control strategies.

To develop an engineering toolset comprising high fidelity computer models of high speed electromechanical flywheel storage systems for on board and trackside locomotive applications.

Awaiting Public Summary