AL-BB: Berlin Battery Application Lab for Sustainable Battery Systems

Batteries are a key technology for energy security, electromobility, robotics, and achieving climate goals. They are therefore of great importance for Germany and particularly for the Berlin/Brandenburg (B/BB) region. Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), and the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) have built a strong position in battery research in recent years and are now bundling their activities within the Berlin Battery Lab (BBL).

The “Application Laboratory Berlin Battery Lab” (AL-BBL) aims to create targeted conditions for collaboration with companies in the Berlin/Brandenburg region. Its objective is to sustainably strengthen the regional battery research ecosystem and accelerate innovation processes. This will be achieved through investments in modern research infrastructure and additional personnel.

The project includes the acquisition and operation of equipment for material synthesis, material characterization, and battery cell testing at the sites in Wannsee (HZB), Adlershof (HZB, HU, BAM), and Steglitz (BAM). This distributed infrastructure will be made available for collaborations with industry and will strengthen the link between science and business. The partners will also contribute state-of-the-art infrastructure and expert staff as their own co-financing contribution.

AL-BBL covers the full research chain from material development to battery cell investigation (TRL 1–5). In addition to lithium-ion batteries, future technologies such as sodium-ion, metal-sulfur, and solid-state batteries will be addressed. The laboratory will serve as a central contact point for research and development projects in the region, enabling companies—particularly SMEs—to develop, test, and advance battery materials and concepts along the technology readiness levels. Initial cooperation interests are already documented through Letters of Intent.

Technical feasibility is ensured, as the participating institutions possess the necessary expertise, facilities, and infrastructure. AL-BBL will facilitate companies’ entry into a growing market, strengthen their competitiveness, and accelerate product development. The project is further supported by BerlinPartner to enhance networking between science, industry, and young talent.

Strategically, AL-BBL contributes to the regional innovation strategy “innoBB 2025” within the energy technology cluster. It strengthens batteries as a key technology for the energy transition, promotes knowledge and technology transfer into industry, and supports the coupling of the energy and industrial sectors.