Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage
BCES is a multidisciplinary research centre, with its hub based in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. The Centre brings together internationally recognised expertise spanning thermal, mechanical, chemical, and electrical energy storage and conversion, alongside integrated energy systems, digitalisation, and AI-enabled energy management.
Serving as a focal point for research, innovation, and industrial collaboration, BCES covers the entire innovation lifecycle, from fundamental science and materials discovery to technology development, system integration, demonstration and commercialisation, delivering practical energy storage and decarbonisation solutions that enable a resilient, affordable and low-carbon energy future.
Our vision is to accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy by advancing efficient, cost-effective energy storage and decarbonisation technologies and their seamless integration into future energy systems.
Our mission is to be a global leader in energy storage and integrated energy systems, driving world-class research and translating pioneering innovations into real-world impact through strong partnerships with academia, industry, government, and the public sector. By combining scientific excellence with engineering innovation, BCES bridges the gap between discovery and deployment, developing transformative technologies that strengthen energy security, support Net Zero ambitions and promote sustainable economic growth.
BCES collaborates closely with industrial partners, utilities, network operators, policymakers, and international research organisations to accelerate the translation of research into commercial and societal impact. Through interdisciplinary programmes spanning thermal energy storage, industrial decarbonisation, refrigeration and heat pumps, cold chain, data analytics, artificial intelligence, policy innovation and whole-system optimisation, the Centre develops integrated solutions that facilitate renewable energy integration, decarbonise heating and cooling, improve energy system resilience and unlock new opportunities for technology commercialisation.
By educating the next generation of researchers and engineers while supporting innovation-led businesses and evidence-based policymaking, BCES is helping to shape the future of sustainable energy systems at both national and global scales.
Engagement and Impact
The research at the Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage impact the environment, economy and society.
BCES Staff and Students
Staff and Researchers within the Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage
Collaboration
Our research at the Birmingham Centres for Energy Storage is undertaken in collaboration with leading institutions at the national and international level.
Energy Policies
Birmingham Energy Institute draws on broad capabilities and expertise and strong collaboratorial relationships with academia and industry, producing studies and policies addressing energy challenges
Electrochemistry
Researchers at the Birmingham Energy Institute are using the study of electrochemistry to design new materials, optimise existing materials and ultimately create higher density batteries.
Smart grids and Integration
Our advanced and unique facilities are being used to further the understanding of the operation, control and management of smart grid systems powered by energy from distributed sources.
Study with us
We have developed a portfolio of courses which will equip engineers to meet the demands of future energy challenges.
Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage Facility
The Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) Facility is a cross-campus research and innovation hub which supports cutting-edge research in both fundamental and applied aspects of energy storage.
BCES Research Groups
Energy Materials Group
The Energy Materials Group focuses on the development of rechargeable battery materials, manufacturing and recycling processes.
Energy Storage and Conversion
The Thermal Energy Conversion and Storage Group carries out fundamental and applied research focused on multiphase transport phenomena across length scales.
Energy Informatics Group
The Energy Informatics Group, led by Dr Grant Wilson, provides research, tools and support for this emerging field.
Thermal Energy Storage
Tackling heating and cooling, one of the major energy challenges
MODES Group
The Multiscale Optimization and Design for Energy Storage (MODES) group led by Dr Adriano Sciacovelli strive to propose innovative solutions for energy technologies to tackle real-world problems.
RESET Group
The Renewable Energy Storage and Efficient Transformation Group contributes to Net Zero targets by developing translational technologies to capture and utilise curtailed renewable and waste energy.
Energy Systems and Policy Analysis Group
We focus on the integration of technologies into energy systems, considering techno-economic analysis, policy impacts and institutional structures.
Supergen Network+
A partnership of 19 investigators from 12 UK institutions that supports and nurtures the expertise of the energy storage community, disseminating it through academia, industry and policy.
