NEWS

PHOENICS: Advancing sustainable battery technologies for Europe’s energy transition

Aug 11, 2026

High-performance and sustainable battery storage systems are essential for integrating renewable energy into tomorrow’s energy infrastructure. The new PHOENICS research project is developing next-generation lithium-ion battery cells based on innovative lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) technology to enable safer, more efficient, and cost-effective stationary energy storage.

Coordinated by VIRTUAL VEHICLE Research GmbH, PHOENICS brings together VARTA Innovation GmbH, Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH (MCL), and AVL List GmbH, combining expertise across the entire battery value chain—from material development and cell production to advanced characterisation, simulation, and safety assessment. Building on the successful predecessor project OpMoSi, the consortium is addressing key challenges in LMFP technology to accelerate its industrial deployment.

 

By combining experimental research, AI-supported data analysis, and physics-based simulation, PHOENICS aims to deliver battery storage solutions with higher energy density, long service life, and enhanced operational safety. The project contributes to strengthening Austria’s research and innovation landscape while supporting the development of a competitive European battery ecosystem.

 

PHOENICS is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) under the “Energieforschung 2024” call for proposals. The project runs from April 2026 to March 2029 with a total funding volume of approximately €2.0 million.

 

Download the extended press release to learn more about the project’s objectives, technological innovations, and statements from the project partners: PHOENICS Press Release ENGLISH

More Energy, Enhanced Safety – PHOENICS is conducting research on sustainable batteries of the future: Innovative lithium-ion cells based on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) are expected to make stationary energy storage systems more powerful, sustainable, and cost-effective.

 

PHOENICS – Fact Sheet:

 

      • Consortium: Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH, Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH, Varta Innovation GmbH, AVL List GmbH
      • Total Volume: €2.9 million, including nearly €2 million in funding from FFG under the “Energieforschung 2024” call for proposals
      • Duration: 36 months
      • Technology: Lithium-ion batteries for stationary battery storage, innovative cathode material lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP)
      • Advantages: Up to 20% higher energy density compared to the established reference material lithium iron phosphate (LFP) – High thermal stability and safety – Potentially low costs and long service life – Avoidance of critical raw materials such as cobalt and nickel
      • Project Goal:  Transfer the advantages of the material to the cell – Improve energy density by 20% and service life by 40%