INTERVIEW WITH J. ALBERTO BLÁZQUEZ – CIDETEC ENERGY STORAGE
The ultimate impact of TALISSMAN is to bring the benefits of next-generation batteries closer to society. By developing lighter, safer, and more sustainable lithium–sulfur technologies, the project paves the way for electric mobility solutions with longer driving ranges, shorter charging times, and lower costs.
Our Project Coordinator, J. Alberto Blázuqez, from CIDETEC Energy Storage, speaks in this interview about the expected impacts of the TALISSMAN project as well as the importance of lithium-sulfur batteries in Europe.
1. Why is it important to coordinate a European project like TALISSMAN?
Having a European project like TALISSMAN is crucial because lithium–sulfur batteries are one of the most promising next-generation technologies, yet they still face important limitations that prevent their commercial use in current and emerging applications where energy density—and therefore driving range—is critical. Without overcoming issues such as limited cycle life, instability, and scalability, this technology cannot reach the market potential it offers.
TALISSMAN provides the framework to tackle these challenges collectively at European level, bringing together leading research centres and reference companies along the value chain. By combining their expertise, the consortium can develop and validate new approaches—such as semi-solid concepts (Gen2027) and all-solid concepts (Gen2030)—that aim to reduce current barriers and unlock industrial feasibility.
In this sense, TALISSMAN not only advances the science of lithium–sulfur batteries, but also lays the foundations for Europe to position itself as a relevant global actor in the development of safer, lighter, and more sustainable energy storage systems—critical for the future of electric mobility and other demanding applications.
2. How does CIDETEC contribute to making future batteries more sustainable and safe?
At CIDETEC Energy Storage we specialise in bridging the gap between research and industry, validating new materials and cell concepts in a pre-industrial environment that reflects real manufacturing and usage conditions. This is key to ensuring that innovations are not only high-performing in the lab, but also safe, scalable, and environmentally responsible.
In TALISSMAN, our contribution focuses on improving cathode formulations, scaling up electrodes and cell components, and testing and characterising them under relevant conditions. These activities are central to assessing stability, durability, and manufacturability—three factors that directly determine the safety and sustainability of future batteries.
Moreover, by applying a Safe- and Sustainable-by-Design approach, we integrate considerations such as resource efficiency, reduced reliance on critical raw materials, recyclability, and intrinsic safety from the earliest stages of development. In this way, CIDETEC not only advances the technical readiness of lithium–sulfur batteries, but also ensures that their future deployment contributes to cleaner, safer, and more sustainable mobility solutions in Europe and beyond.
3. What impact do you expect this project will have on people’s everyday lives?
The ultimate impact of TALISSMAN is to bring the benefits of next-generation batteries closer to society. By developing lighter, safer, and more sustainable lithium–sulfur technologies, the project paves the way for electric mobility solutions with longer driving ranges, shorter charging times, and lower costs. This means electric cars, aircraft, and heavy transport that are not only more efficient, but also more affordable and accessible for citizens.
At the same time, the use of abundant and low-cost materials such as sulphur, combined with the reduced reliance on critical raw materials, helps to lower the environmental footprint of batteries. Safer cell designs—based on semi-solid and all-solid concepts—also improve reliability, contributing to greater trust and acceptance of electric mobility.
In everyday terms, this translates into cleaner cities, healthier communities, and more sustainable transport options, while reinforcing Europe’s role as a leader in the global shift towards clean technologies.