Industry formation of emerging battery technologies in Sweden

Abstract

This thesis gives an overview of the current developments in rechargeable batteries researched and funded in Sweden from 2008 to 2022. The aim of this thesis is to show which rechargeable battery technologies receive research funding and which are patented in Sweden. This is important to understand what is happening in the industry to be able to predict the directionality of battery industry formation. Additionally, the thesis aims to illustrate and analyze the distribution and funding of projects along the value chain of rechargeable battery, starting with resource extraction and ending with their end of life. Furthermore, an actor analysis is performed to investigate the social dynamics of battery research and emerging battery industries. Specifically, actors involved in researching and patenting are listed and compared. The main source of data used in this thesis is the Swedish Energy Agency’s project database, which contains the projects funded between 2008 and 2022. This information was complemented by the Swedish patent database and three expert interviews, which provided additional insights into actors’ dynamics and interests. The results from this analysis show that the lithium-ion battery technology is clearly leading the battery research and industry in terms of funding as well as patents. However, there is a range of emerging technologies, like lithium-sulfur batteries, organic batteries, supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries, which are starting to attract some attention from research and fundings. Regarding patents, it seems that solid state batteries, metal-air batteries and redox flow batteries are beginning to attract attention. Main actors involved in research and industry funds are identified, including the company Northvolt and the Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory (SEEL). Patent ownership lies in different hands compared to the main actors receiving funding; the distribution results in a a set of actors with similar number of patents. Along the value chain, most of the funding budget goes into developing battery chemistries or materials, and on improving the performances in the use phase.