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GIARRIZZO - Green Integrated Aqueous RechaRgeable potassIum batteries with fertiliZer optimiZed recOvery
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Abstract
GIARRIZZO introduces the first aqueous potassium-ion battery designed for agricultural and greenhouse applications, with the disruptive feature of recovering potassium at end-of-life as fertiliser. Building on results from the ERC-StG SuN2rise, where potassium emerged as a stable and abundant alternative to lithium, GIARRIZZO bridges two critical European value chains: energy storage and nutrient management. The project addresses two pressing challenges: (1) the lack of safe, low-cost batteries operating reliably in humid, safety-critical environments, and (2) the EU dependency on imported potash fertilisers, the prices of which recently tripled due to geopolitical volatility. GIARRIZZO responds by designing pouch-cell prototypes (1-5 Ah) with hard-carbon anodes from agricultural residues, Prussian Blue analogue cathodes, and aqueous K-salt electrolytes.
Target performance includes 40-60 Wh/kg energy density, >500 cycles at 80% DoD, and >95% Coulombic efficiency. At end-of-life, the electrolyte will be treated to recover >80% of potassium as fertiliser-grade K2SO4 or KNO3, validated through agronomic tests. Two key enabling results (KERs) will be delivered: (1) the first demonstration of a functional aqueous potassium-ion pouch cell, and (2) a circular recovery protocol converting battery waste into fertiliser. This dual functionality provides a unique selling proposition: a battery that not only stores renewable energy safely, but also becomes a fertiliser, supporting the EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Circular Economy Action Plan. Supported by industrial stakeholders, GIARRIZZO will reach TRL 4-5 within 18 months, de-risking the pathway towards patenting, exploitation, and industrial uptake. By integrating energy and agriculture, it creates a novel cross-sectoral innovation pipeline, reinforcing Europe autonomy in both sustainable storage and fertiliser supply.
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| Total cost: | € 150,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Total contribution: | € 150,000.00 |
| PoliTo total cost: | € 150,000.00 |
| PoliTo contribution: | € 150,000.00 |