Dutch Consortium Secures €5 Million to Develop Next-Generation Flow Batteries for LDES
The transition to a sustainable energy future requires innovative storage solutions capable of bridging multi-day gaps in renewable generation. To address this, the 'REDOX flow Batteries with Large ENergy Density' (REDOX BLEND) project has secured significant funding to advance long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies.
Major Funding for Circular Battery Tech
The REDOX BLEND project, a robust consortium comprising leading Dutch research institutions including RUG, TUD, TU/e, RUN, UT, DIFFER, and TNO, has been awarded €5.0 million in funding. This grant is provided by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) under the 'Circular Batteries' call. The primary objective of the project is to develop novel flow battery technologies specifically optimized for long-duration energy storage applications, focusing on sustainability and high energy density.
Advancing Organic Active Materials
A core component of the REDOX BLEND initiative involves the development of organic materials to replace traditional, resource-intensive active materials. In June 2026, Jelco Albertsma joined the Otten group at the University of Groningen (RUG) as a postdoctoral researcher. His work will focus on developing organic materials for solid-boosted flow batteries, a key innovation aimed at enhancing the energy density and performance of next-generation systems.
Building on this momentum, research from the Otten group, in collaboration with Western University in Canada, was published in January 2026 in the journal Chemistry - A European Journal. The study details the application of boron formazanate compounds as highly effective active materials in redox flow batteries, offering a promising pathway for more efficient and circular energy storage.
The €5 million NWO funding and the subsequent research breakthroughs underscore the Netherlands' commitment to pioneering sustainable, high-performance LDES technologies.
Through collaborative research and targeted funding, the REDOX BLEND project is poised to deliver breakthrough flow battery solutions that will be critical for the global shift toward resilient, renewable-powered grids.
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