Green tech firm partners with Eden Project

Lancaster-based LiNa Energy has entered into a new partnership with Eden Project which will see its next generation batteries used at the proposed ecological site in Morecambe.

LiNa is developing a battery free of lithium and cobalt and the goal of this Memorandum of Understanding is to deploy this clean tech innovation in a storage system which will enable Eden Projects to store their local renewable energy, making it available as and when it’s needed.

LiNa began work on its novel battery technology as a spin-out of Lancaster University in 2017 and has led several grant research projects to progress this technology.

This partnership with the Eden Project enables commercial validation of LiNa’s technology and will demonstrate cells operating in a stationary energy storage system. The agreement covers feasibility, testing, and demonstration of the technology to validate it for future commercial installation.

Dr Gene Lewis, CEO of LiNa Energy, said: “LiNa is developing a game-changing cobalt and lithium free battery technology that will accelerate our much-needed transition away from fossil-fuel derived power sources. It is absolutely fitting that LiNa has partnered with the Eden Project, a pioneering organisation that seeks to promote the technologies that are needed for a clean and green planet.

"This exciting collaboration also will give LiNa the opportunity to showcase globally its technology at one or more of the prestigious Eden Project sites. We are looking forward to seeing the LiNa battery in the wild."

During a recent tour of Morecambe, the Prince of Wales met with LiNa Energy founders and staff and was shown a technical demonstration of how the its batteries are manufactured with a presentation showing the batteries sustainability and cost benefits. 

Dr Gene Lewis, CEO of LiNa Energy, said about the visit: “Like us, The Prince of Wales has an unwavering commitment to championing sustainable technologies that will make net-zero 2050 a reality. It was an absolute honour to introduce him to members of Team LiNa who had the opportunity to present and discuss LiNa’s pioneering, cobalt and lithium free, low cost, safe, sustainable sodium battery technology.” 

His Royal Highness also received a short presentation from Eden Project North, a project which aims to regenerate the area and bring forward economic opportunities to the region. The Prince of Wales was shown how they are incorporating new technologies in the creation of the attraction.  

David Harland, the Eden Project’s chief global growth officer, said: “It was an honour to meet His Royal Highness and talk to him about our plans for Eden Project North in Morecambe. We were pleased to share how we will incorporate exciting new renewable and sustainable technologies into the project.

"We hope His Royal Highness enjoyed his time in Morecambe and is as impressed as we are with the exciting and innovative things happening in the North West. We were really pleased to be meeting His Royal Highness alongside our friends at LiNa Energy and we look forward to working closely with them on Eden Projects in Morecambe and further afield.”