About Energy opens battery testing facility

This facility, the most centrally located battery testing site in London, serves as a hub for About’s UK and European clients, while also attracting top talent from the capital.

Spanning approximately 3,000ft², the facility features an advanced laboratory designed to carry out sophisticated battery performance testing and research. It enables companies in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and aviation to quickly access crucial data and insights, helping them to develop battery solutions while reducing both costs and development timelines. The lab’s capabilities include battery teardown parameterisation and cell testing of up to 1,000A.

The facility will focus on the development of next-generation battery technologies, including solid-state, sodium-ion, and Lithium iron Manganese Phosphate (LFMP) batteries. These technologies require extensive data collection to aid companies in determining their suitability for various applications.

By offering direct access to advanced battery intelligence and digital models via its software platform, The Voltt, About is eliminating the need for costly in-house battery testing. The Voltt enables engineering teams to accelerate their timelines by providing simulation tools that offer detailed insights into the thermal, electrical, and degradation behaviours of batteries. This allows for informed decision-making in the design of battery packs, battery management systems, and warranties.

Gavin White, Co-Founder and CEO of About:Energy said: “We are delighted to open our new battery testing facility, which will allow us to scale our battery testing capabilities and drive innovation across multiple industries. We want to build a new standard for the UK’s battery technology landscape, and this new facility is part of a long-term, multi-million-pound investment strategy over the next five years to support R&D and the commercialisation of leading battery measurement technologies.

"By leveraging our team's experience from building some of the UK’s most advanced labs, including those at Imperial College London and the Warwick Manufacturing Group, we are committed to ensuring the highest levels of efficiency and quality in battery testing.”

The facility also serves as the headquarters for About’s expert team, which includes specialists from organisations such as Rolls Royce, Mercedes High Performance Powertrains, COMSOL, Aston Martin, and Warwick Manufacturing Group, alongside leading academics from prestigious institutions including the National Physics Laboratory, Imperial College London, University of Birmingham, and Warwick University.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, About has taken steps to minimise its environmental impact at the new site. Waste glass has been repurposed for whiteboards, grid feedback battery cyclers are utilised, and all furniture has been sourced second-hand to reduce landfill waste and promote a sustainable approach to outfitting the facility.

This announcement underscores About’s mission to strengthen the UK battery ecosystem and follows the recent news of securing £1 million in government funding for battery development.