About

 

Project Description

The BASTILLE project – BAtteries: barriers and enablerS To IreLand's circuLar Economy – is an innovative research initiative funded by the EPA Research Programme 2030. It aims to transform Ireland into a leader in circular economy practices, with a particular focus on the sustainable production and recycling of battery materials such as graphite. The project is dedicated to enhancing Ireland’s energy efficiency and promoting sustainable innovations through comprehensive research and stakeholder collaboration.

 

Objectives

The BASTILLE project has a comprehensive set of objectives aimed at advancing Ireland's transition to a circular economy, particularly focusing on battery materials. Here are the main objectives:

  • Inform Policy: Generate research outputs to guide policymaking in Ireland, facilitating a swift transition to a circular economy. This includes producing an evidence-based implementation roadmap and a policy white paper.
  • Identify Barriers and Enablers: Examine technological, regulatory, societal, and supply chain factors that influence the circular economy. This includes understanding the circularity potential of natural graphite and other materials crucial for energy storage and electric vehicles.
  • Develop Roadmaps and Recommendations: Create, validate, and finalise a roadmap for implementing circular economy principles in Ireland. Also, produce comprehensive policy guidelines based on case studies to support the new approach.
  • Engage Stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders through surveys, workshops, and interviews to gather insights and foster collaboration. This is aimed at both understanding and removing barriers to the circular economy while leveraging enablers.
  • Enhance Research and Technology: Explore the conditions necessary to establish innovative processing technologies for graphite production. This includes evaluating alternative processes to the traditional use of harmful chemicals, promoting local and less environmentally damaging technologies.
  • Promote Sustainability: Focus on reducing dependency on imported graphite by boosting local production capacities and promoting sustainable practices. This also involves enhancing Ireland’s renewable energy capacity through better energy storage solutions.
  • Disseminate Knowledge: Ensure widespread distribution of project findings and outcomes to maximise impact and utility, including engaging the broader European and global community where applicable.

 

Project Partners

The BASTILLE project is a collaborative effort led by Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in partnership with the European Advanced Carbon and Graphite Materials Association (ECGA). These partners bring together expertise in technical, sociotechnical, and policy domains to drive forward the project's ambitious objectives.

 

Why Graphite?

Graphite is a critical component for the development of electric vehicles, large storage systems, and hydrogen-based energy production. The BASTILLE project focuses on expanding Europe's participation in the graphite production chain, ensuring energy security and supporting renewable energy targets. By promoting sustainable practices and enhancing local production capacities, the project aims to reduce dependency on imported graphite and contribute to a circular economy.