Certain energy secures £10 million for manganese flow battery development

British long-duration energy storage firm Certain Energy, formerly known as RFC Power, has successfully secured £10 million in Series A funding to commercialise its manganese flow battery technology.1 This significant investment, led by the British Business Bank, Centrica, and Temasek Trust, aims to scale up a novel solution vital for grid stabilisation and renewable energy integration in the UK and globally.

The imperative for long-duration energy storage

The transition to a decarbonised energy system hinges on effective long-duration energy storage (LDES). As renewable sources like wind and solar become more prevalent, their intermittent nature creates challenges for grid stability. LDES technologies are designed to store surplus energy during periods of high renewable output and release it when generation is low, balancing supply and demand over extended periods.

Why LDES is the 'missing piece' of the clean energy system

LDES is often described as the "missing piece" for a clean energy system because it addresses the fundamental challenge of renewable intermittency. Current battery technologies typically offer storage for a few hours, but LDES can store energy for days, weeks, or even longer, ensuring a continuous and reliable power supply. This capability is crucial for mitigating fluctuations and reducing reliance on fossil fuel "peaker" plants that traditionally fill these gaps. The UK government, through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), actively supports LDES development to enhance energy security and achieve Net-Zero targets.

Manganese flow batteries: a promising technology

Manganese flow battery technology offers a compelling solution for LDES. Unlike conventional batteries, these systems store energy in liquid electrolytes held in external tanks. This design allows for extended discharge duration simply by increasing the size of these electrolyte tanks, enabling storage from hours to days. Certain Energy's patented electrolyte technology is designed for high efficiency and a long operational life with minimal degradation. The use of manganese, the twelfth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, offers a sustainable alternative to systems that rely on scarcer and more expensive materials.

Certain energy's £10 million Series a: a UK success story

Certain Energy's recent funding round highlights the growing confidence in innovative UK energy technology. This investment validates the potential of manganese flow batteries.

From Imperial College London to commercialisation

Certain Energy, originally known as RFC Power, was founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Imperial College London. Its origins in a leading academic institution underscore the vital role university research plays in developing cutting-edge energy solutions. The company's journey from laboratory to securing significant Series A funding demonstrates a successful pathway for bringing advanced electrochemical technology to market. Professor Anthony Kucernak, a co-founder, noted that the investment is a crucial step towards deploying manganese flow batteries at scale and showcasing the impact of university innovation on the global energy transition.

Key investors and their strategic rationale

The £10 million Series A funding round was led by the British Business Bank, with participation from Centrica, Ceres Power Holdings, and Temasek Trust's Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H).

• British business bank: As a lead investor, the British Business Bank's involvement signals a strategic commitment to supporting innovative UK businesses that contribute to national priorities like energy security and Net-Zero targets.
• Centrica: Centrica, the energy company and parent of British Gas, also invested in Certain Energy.
• Temasek trust: Temasek Trust's Catalytic Capital for C3H also participated, highlighting global interest in sustainable and scalable energy storage technologies.

Impact on UK energy security and Net Zero goals

This investment directly supports the UK's ambitions for energy security and achieving Net-Zero emissions. By enabling the commercialisation of LDES, Certain Energy's technology can help reduce the UK's reliance on volatile energy sources and integrate more homegrown renewable power. Michael Shanks from the DESNZ emphasised that such investments are vital for developing LDES that can store clean power for days, not hours, leading to a more secure energy system. The company plans to expand its UK research facility, further solidifying the UK's position in advanced energy technology.

Navigating the UK funding landscape for energy technology

Securing investment for novel energy technologies like manganese flow batteries requires a clear understanding of the diverse funding landscape in the UK. Innovators can tap into various sources, from government grants to private capital.

Government grants and programmes

The UK government actively supports the development and commercialisation of innovative energy technologies through various programmes. For instance, the Ultra-Long Duration Energy Storage (Ultra-LDES) Challenge supports technologies capable of storing and discharging energy for over 100 hours. Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has also opened competitions for project development studies into electrochemical Ultra-LDES. These initiatives aim to accelerate the development, scale-up, and UK manufacture of LDES technologies with a working life of at least 25 years.

References

1. Mirage News. Imperial Spinout Certain Energy Secures £10M Funding