Project description
Sustainable pathways for large-scale energy storage
Current energy storage technologies often struggle with low energy density and short lifespans, which hinder the global transition to renewable power. The ERC-funded ZEST project will address these critical issues by developing an innovative hybrid zinc-bromine-manganese battery specifically designed for stationary use. By introducing advancements in cathode and electrolyte materials, the project aims to enhance battery stability, safety, and overall performance. Beyond technical development, ZEST will build a functional prototype to prove scalability and establish clear commercial pathways through close industrial collaboration. The project’s goal is to provide a sustainable, cost-effective alternative for long-duration storage, facilitating the large-scale adoption of renewable energy and ensuring a greener future for our planet.
Objective
The ZEST project aims to develop a hybrid Zn||Br2–MnO2 battery for stationary energy storage, addressing the main challenges of current technologies, such as low energy density, limited reversibility, and short cycle life. To achieve this, it proposes innovations in both the cathode and the electrolyte, which will enhance the battery’s stability, safety, and performance, as well as its economic and environmental viability.
The project’s approach integrates advanced active material synthesis, electrolyte optimization, and cell engineering to create a functional prototype that serves as a proof of concept. This prototype will validate the technology and demonstrate its scalability, while also establishing a clear pathway toward commercial exploitation, including market analysis, intellectual property strategy, and collaboration with industrial partners.
In this way, ZEST seeks to mitigate the risks associated with the transition to long-duration energy storage solutions, providing a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative that facilitates large-scale adoption of renewable energy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy hybrid energy
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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)
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.
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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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
15782 Santiago De Compostela
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.