FAZ PILOTE: Accelerating the Industrialization of NiZn Battery Technology for Stationary Energy Storage
We are pleased to announce that the FAZ PILOTE project has secured approximately €3.5 million in funding from Bpifrance, following the successful application to the i-Démo call for projects.
The i-Démo call is part of the France 2030 investment programme, which supports innovation in strategic sectors and aims to accelerate the development of high-value-added industrial companies and advanced-stage demonstrators. Through grants and repayable advances, the programme supports ambitious projects that contribute to the development and industrialization of innovative technologies in France.
From prototype to industrial production
Officially launched in February 2026, FAZ PILOTE represents an important step in the development of nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery technology, with the objective of accelerating its transition from advanced prototypes toward industrial-scale production.
The project will establish, test, optimize and qualify a pilot production line for NiZn battery prototypes dedicated primarily to stationary energy storage applications. The project aims to bring the technology to Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7), demonstrating both the maturity of the technology and the reliability of industrial-type manufacturing processes in real-world applications.
The pilot line will support the production of prototypes in the 0.1–0.4 MWh range and enable the validation of scalable manufacturing processes, as well as the integration of battery and energy management systems.
By bridging the gap between TRL 5, previously demonstrated through the European LOLABAT project (GA # 963576), and TRL 7, FAZ PILOTE will provide essential industrial and operational experience for the future large-scale deployment of NiZn batteries.
Why NiZn for stationary energy storage?
NiZn technology offers a promising alternative for stationary energy storage, combining characteristics including safety, robustness, fast response, reliability, cycling and calendar life, energy efficiency and a potentially lower environmental footprint.
These advantages make NiZn particularly relevant to applications such as renewable energy integration, microgrids, data centers, telecommunications, backup power and energy management.
The FAZ PILOTE project is therefore intended not only to validate the battery technology itself, but also to demonstrate the manufacturing capabilities required to support its future industrial deployment.
Working with leading European organizations:
The project will draw on expertise from leading European research and industrial organizations, including CEA-Liten, SuperGrid Institute, EDP Renewables Labelec, Università degli Studi di Genova and the Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), TYVA Energies.
These organizations will contribute their expertise through services provided by Sunergy, supporting the project’s technical development, testing and validation activities.
This collaboration brings together complementary expertise across the battery and energy storage value chain and will help address the technical and industrial challenges involved in moving NiZn technology toward scalable production and real-world deployment.
A step toward the next generation of energy storage:
FAZ PILOTE is a key milestone in the development strategy for NiZn batteries. Beyond the pilot project, further collaborative initiatives are expected to address areas such as recycling and circularity, as well as additional demonstrations of NiZn technology in real-world applications.
By combining industrial development, technology validation and European expertise, FAZ PILOTE aims to bring safer, sustainable and scalable NiZn battery solutions closer to commercial deployment and contribute to the growing need for reliable energy storage alongside the expansion of renewable energy.