Battery Safety Centre
Battery Safety Centre
The University of Warwick is developing a new Battery Safety Centre to support world-leading research into battery technologies, safety, testing and validation.
As battery technologies continue to advance and play a vital role in the transition to sustainable energy and electrified transport, the demand for specialist safety testing and validation facilities is increasing. The Battery Safety Centre will provide critical infrastructure to support research into battery performance, safety and reliability, helping researchers and industry partners develop the next generation of battery technologies.
The facility will be used to assess batteries under extreme operating and fault conditions, enabling researchers to better understand failure mechanisms and investigate emerging battery chemistries. Findings from this work will help inform safer battery designs, improved manufacturing processes and enhanced safety standards across the sector.
Recognised as the UK's national leader in battery safety research, the WMG Battery Safety team has more than 15 years of specialist expertise and operates one of the most advanced battery testing capabilities in the country. The team works closely with leading automotive manufacturers, energy storage providers and research organisations to improve battery safety and performance throughout the battery lifecycle, from early-stage development through to validation and failure analysis.
The new Battery Safety Centre will enable Warwick to expand these capabilities to support larger-format battery cells and systems increasingly required by industry. The facility will play an important role in supporting major collaborative research programmes and strengthening partnerships with organisations including Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and the Faraday Institution.
The development is proposed on the former NAIC compound site off Academic Loop Road and will be delivered in two phases. The project includes the construction of a new cycler building and battery safety chambers, together with the relocation of specialist testing equipment from the Energy Innovation Centre. New electrical and communications infrastructure will also be provided to support the facility.
Key Design Considerations
The Battery Safety Centre is being designed to provide a highly controlled environment for advanced battery testing and research. Key design considerations include:
- Safe containment of testing activities - Testing will be undertaken within specialist fire-resistant and pressure-resistant chambers capable of safely containing potential battery failure events, including heat, gas release and projectiles.
- Environmental protection - The facility will incorporate gas treatment and smoke scrubbing systems to ensure emissions generated during testing are appropriately managed and controlled.
- Critical infrastructure - All services required for the facility need to be brought into the site. The includes a new sub-station with transformers and data comms room, water, drainage, fire alarm.