Dutch saltwater battery innovation wins 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards

AQUABATTERY, a company leading a pilot to commercialise the world’s most sustainable, affordable and scalable long duration energy storage solution based on saltwater, has won the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Award in the innovation category.

The project came first in an online public vote, receiving the award at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) awards ceremony on 10 June in Brussels.

With funding from the European Innovation Council and five paying partners drawn from the energy, housing, and commercial building sectors, AQUABATTERY last November launched a pilot in Delft, testing the largest and most advanced saltwater flow battery ever built in Europe, with the objective of generating key insights to accelerate product development, aiming for market readiness by 2026.

'By using table salt and water – abundant and environmentally friendly materials – we can eliminate Europe’s dependence on critical raw materials, avoid the environmental destruction caused by open-pit mining of lithium and rare earth, and eliminate the fire, toxicity, and explosion risks to people and habitats near battery sites,' explains Jiajun Cen, co-founder and CEO of AQUABATTERY.

AQUABATTERY was one of three finalists shortlisted for the European Sustainable Energy Awards 2025 in the Innovation category. The award recognises outstanding ongoing or recently completed EU-funded projects that show an original and innovative path towards the clean energy transition. 

The other finalists in this category were the LIFE4GREENBROADBAND project in Croatia, and the LIFE TURBINES project in Spain and Italy. LIFE TURBINES is using hydropower to generate electricity by harnessing excess pressure in domestic water supplies. LIFE4GREENBROADBAND is cutting emissions in the telecoms sector by rolling out cooling and solar power solutions at base stations.

The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in energy efficiency and renewables. The nine finalists were selected by a high-level jury in three categories –  Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy – before being submitted to an online public vote. ​ 

EUSEW 2025 

European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), the​ biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, takes place on 10-12 June under the theme of ‘Powering a fair and competitive green transition’. The event brings together public authorities, industry, NGOs and consumers to promote initiatives accelerating decarbonisation through green technologies and solutions towards a competitive, clean and fair energy transition for both consumers and businesses.

For interview requests with the EUSEW Awards finalists or additional media information, please contact  mediaeusew [dot] eu (media[at]eusew[dot]eu).