Battery Safety UK 2026: Powering the future of energy
Wednesday 11 February 2026
Battery Safety UK 2026: Powering the future of energy
Following its successful launch last year, the UK’s only battery safety conference – Battery Safety UK – will return to the University of Warwick in May. Hosted by Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), the event will bring together the brightest minds in battery research to help supercharge the future of energy.
On Wednesday 6 May 2026, leading experts from industry, academia, and government will unite to tackle the battery safety challenges shaping the UK’s journey towards electrification, a key step in building a cleaner, more sustainable world.
A unique opportunity for stakeholders to explore the latest research, policies, and technologies advancing battery safety technology, Battery Safety UK 2026 will provide a platform for multidisciplinary collaboration, strengthening partnerships across the battery ecosystem.
The event will be opened by Professor Caroline MeyerLink opens in a new window, Provost at the University of Warwick, and feature keynote speakers Paul ShearingLink opens in a new window — Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering at the Department of Engineering Science and Director of the ZERO Institute at the University of Oxford — and Dr Edwin KnobbeLink opens in a new window — Technical Project Manager at BMW Group’s Battery Cell Competence Centre.
They will be joined by fellow speakers:
- Anne Seldon FSaRSLink opens in a new window, a seasoned engineering leader, safety-critical systems engineer, and consultant specialising in integrity-led functional and systems safety.
- Dr Jingwen WengLink opens in a new window, an Imperial College Research Fellow leading independent research on electrochemical energy materials, degradation mechanisms, and battery safety.
- Karthik NagendraLink opens in a new window, a mechanical engineer specialising in passive fire protection at International Paint (AkzoNobel).
More speakers will be announced soon through the Battery Safety UK event page.
Professor James MarcoLink opens in a new window, Head of the Battery Systems Research Group at WMG, said: "Our speakers bring outstanding expertise to Battery Safety UK 2026. Among them, our first keynote, Dr Edwin Knobbe, provides a unique perspective on electro‑chemical simulation and cell development, whilst our second keynote, Professor Paul Shearing, contributes leading research in battery materials and advanced characterisation. Their insights will enrich the day’s discussions and support our shared goal of advancing battery safety."
WMG is a leading voice in battery safety research, with over 15 years of experience in battery safety and abuse testing at the state-of-the-art Battery Safety Centre.
This specialised facility enables safe, highly controlled destructive battery testing, allowing researchers and industry partners to study thermal runaway and other failure modes in unprecedented detail.
Find out more about Battery Safety UK 2026 and book your place: Battery Safety UK 2026