Certain Energy Raises £10M Series A for Long-Duration Batteries

A significant capital injection is set to accelerate the commercialization of long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions. Certain Energy, a UK-based innovator, has successfully closed a £10 million Series A funding round. This crucial investment will fuel the company's mission to deploy its proprietary manganese flow battery technology for grid-scale applications, addressing the growing need for reliable renewable energy integration.

The funding round saw robust participation from key strategic investors. Leading the charge was the British Business Bank, underscoring national support for critical energy infrastructure. Alongside them, Centrica, a major energy services provider, Ceres Power Holdings, a leader in fuel cell technology, and Temasek Trust's Catalytic Capital for Climate and Health (C3H), a fund focused on climate solutions, have all backed Certain Energy's vision. This diverse investor base highlights confidence in the technology's potential to impact the energy transition.

Certain Energy's technology centers on a novel manganese flow battery system. Unlike conventional battery chemistries, flow batteries store energy in external tanks containing liquid electrolytes. This design allows for independent scaling of power and energy capacity, a critical advantage for long-duration applications. By expanding the electrolyte tanks, the system can store and discharge electricity for extended periods, ranging from hours to days. This capability is vital for stabilizing electricity grids that are increasingly reliant on intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind power.

The company, which originated as a spin-out from Imperial College London and was formerly known as RFC Power, is targeting a significant market opportunity. As renewable energy penetration rises, grid operators face challenges balancing supply and demand. LDES systems are essential to mitigate periods of low renewable output and prevent the curtailment of excess generation. Certain Energy's approach, utilizing abundant manganese, aims to offer a cost-effective alternative to existing LDES solutions, potentially reducing marginal storage costs to a fraction of those seen with vanadium flow batteries. The technology boasts a projected 20-year operational life with minimal capacity degradation and a round-trip efficiency exceeding 75%.

This Series A funding will be instrumental in several key areas. A substantial portion will be allocated to developing a grid-connected megawatt-hour (MWh) scale system, with plans for deployment in India, a market with immense energy demand and a strong push towards renewables. Furthermore, the investment will bolster Certain Energy's UK research and development facilities and support the establishment of a robust supply chain necessary for scaling up commercial operations. The company is actively preparing its technology for mass production and broader market adoption.

The implications of this funding extend beyond Certain Energy. It signals a growing investor appetite for LDES technologies that can complement the rapid expansion of renewable energy generation. As the global energy sector navigates the complexities of decarbonization, solutions that ensure grid stability and reliability are paramount. Certain Energy's success in securing this substantial Series A round positions it as a key player in the evolving LDES market, potentially paving the way for more widespread adoption of advanced battery storage solutions.