BASQUEVOLT and BCARE have taken a decisive step in energy innovation by developing and integrating the first solid-state cells into a module for stationary applications, a breakthrough that strengthens Basque and European technological leadership in energy storage. This achievement is part of the ASTRA-CC R&D project, led by IBERDROLA and supported by the HAZITEK program of the Basque Government.

Driving the Energy Transition

BASQUEVOLT and BCARE have spearheaded research and development of advanced energy storage solutions, addressing one of the major challenges of the green transition: the efficient and safe integration of renewable energy into public direct current (DC) grids. The solid-state cell developed stands out for its high energy density, enhanced safety, and cost reduction—key factors for grid stabilization and the deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Technical Innovation for the Grid of the Future

Within the ASTRA-CC framework, BASQUEVOLT and BCARE have been responsible for integrating next-generation storage technologies into a public DC grid architecture. Among the technical milestones achieved are:

• The development and validation of a solid-state cell optimized for stationary applications.
• The integration of this cell into a functional module, demonstrating its feasibility for large-scale storage.

Strategic Collaboration and Forward-Looking Vision

The collaboration between BASQUEVOLT and BCARE has been essential to achieving this milestone in record time, showcasing the ability of both entities to lead disruptive projects and accelerate the arrival of new solutions to the market. Building on these results, both companies are already working on new BESS applications for data centers, high-temperature environments, and other strategic sectors, paving the way for disruptive projects and consolidating European technological leadership in energy storage.

This advancement would not have been possible without the support of the Basque Government, the European Union, Iberdrola, and all members of the ASTRA-CC consortium.

About the ASTRA-CC Project

ASTRA-CC is a strategic industrial research project (2023–2025) focused on investigating the technologies and components needed to develop an electrical grid architecture that facilitates storage and accelerates the integration of applications and services associated with renewable energy systems into public DC networks. The consortium, led by I-DE REDES ELECTRICAS INTELIGENTES, S.A., includes the participation of entities and agents from the Basque Network of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

This achievement is part of the ASTRA-CC R&D project (file ZE-2023/00006), which is included in the HAZITEK business R&D support program, co-financed by the Basque Government’s Department of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund 2021–2027 (ERDF).