Project description
Circular potassium batteries for sustainable agriculture and energy storage
Reliable energy storage for agriculture and greenhouse environments is limited by batteries that struggle in humid, safety-critical conditions. The batteries are also costly and often dependent on critical raw materials. In this context, the ERC-funded GIARRIZZO project is developing the first aqueous potassium-ion battery tailored for agricultural use. This tackles both the need for reliable batteries in humid environments and Europe’s dependence on imported potash by using sustainable materials and enabling circular recovery of potassium at end of life. The project’s goal is to create a dual-value system that links renewable energy storage with nutrient recovery and supports EU circular economy goals.
Objective
GIARRIZZO introduces the first aqueous potassium-ion battery designed for agricultural and greenhouse applications, with the disruptive feature of recovering potassium at end-of-life as fertiliser. Building on results from the ERC-StG SuN2rise, where potassium emerged as a stable and abundant alternative to lithium, GIARRIZZO bridges two critical European value chains: energy storage and nutrient management.
The project addresses two pressing challenges: (1) the lack of safe, low-cost batteries operating reliably in humid, safety-critical environments, and (2) the EU dependency on imported potash fertilisers, the prices of which recently tripled due to geopolitical volatility. GIARRIZZO responds by designing pouch-cell prototypes (1-5 Ah) with hard-carbon anodes from agricultural residues, Prussian Blue analogue cathodes, and aqueous K-salt electrolytes. Target performance includes 40-60 Wh/kg energy density, >500 cycles at 80% DoD, and >95% Coulombic efficiency. At end-of-life, the electrolyte will be treated to recover >80% of potassium as fertiliser-grade K2SO4 or KNO3, validated through agronomic tests.
Two key enabling results (KERs) will be delivered: (1) the first demonstration of a functional aqueous potassium-ion pouch cell, and (2) a circular recovery protocol converting battery waste into fertiliser. This dual functionality provides a unique selling proposition: a battery that not only stores renewable energy safely, but also becomes a fertiliser, supporting the EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Circular Economy Action Plan.
Supported by industrial stakeholders, GIARRIZZO will reach TRL 4-5 within 18 months, de-risking the pathway towards patenting, exploitation, and industrial uptake. By integrating energy and agriculture, it creates a novel cross-sectoral innovation pipeline, reinforcing Europe autonomy in both sustainable storage and fertiliser supply.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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10129 Torino
Italy
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