Discover Université Grenoble Alpes

Background and Issues

EDLB is the first network of schools dedicated to electric batteries, co-financed by the government, operated by the Caisse des Dépôts, and led by VERKOR, the lead partner in a consortium of 15 partners (manufacturers, training organizations, and competitiveness clusters). 

The battery industry is at the heart of Europe’s—and particularly France’s—reindustrialization plan through 2030. It is therefore essential to train qualified personnel as effectively and as quickly as possible so that they can ensure the smooth operation of the Gigafactories in the coming years and secure France’s autonomy in this sector.        

The goal is to train or educate 8,000 people over the course of five years.

Expand the training offerings in the field of battery production and applications (system integrators): 

• Develop initial and continuing education programs related to the battery industry in France, with a specific focus on the automotive battery sector (in modeling, characterization, diagnostics and prognostics, BMS, EMS, industrial engineering for the industrial-scale production of batteries in Gigafactories, surface treatment and coating of substrates (electrodes), materials physics and electrochemistry, etc.), at the Ense3, Génie Industriel, Pagora, and Phelma schools, as well as the Professional Training Department at Grenoble INP - UGA. Launch of an MEP (Materials, Energy, Processes) engineering program through apprenticeship at Phelma.
• Develop tailored and innovative educational tools aimed at preparing learners for professional careers: creation of training facilities or technical platforms (such as a pilot production facility for “button-cell” Li-ion batteries at Phelma, an electrode coating pilot plant at Pagora, and a battery cycling and characterization test bench at Ense3, etc.).  These will be used in lectures, tutorials, lab sessions, and various projects at Grenoble INP–UGA or made available to EDLB partners. 
• Four doctoral dissertations are being conducted at the GSCOP, LEPMI, and LGP2 laboratories, in partnership with companies in the battery industry, with the goal of training tomorrow's instructors (experts) in this field.

France 2030 Goal

• To produce 2 million zero-emission vehicles in France by 2030 and develop a sustainable, self-sufficient, and resilient mobility system. 
• Meet the industry's recruitment and training needs.

Main Areas of Focus

• Strengthen existing programs
  Validate and refine the mapping of business needs and identify gaps in training.
• Train learners
  Create specialized educational programs in the field of battery production and applications (integrators). Develop tailored initial and continuing education programs (from the third year of high school through the eighth year after high school) and innovative teaching tools adapted to the battery industry in France, with a specific focus on the automotive battery sector and in direct alignment with the needs of regional and national manufacturers.
• Train the trainers
  Create a network of experts (including EDLB doctoral students) and centers of expertise in the field of batteries to facilitate the transfer of cutting-edge knowledge.
• Attracting talent to work in the battery industry
  Generating interest in this field among talent—from young people to employees and those seeking career transitions—through events, conferences, webinars, etc., aimed at the general public or specific target audiences, depending on the skill levels sought. 

   

The Project at a Glance

Truck Driver / Pilot	VERKOR (battery manufacturer)
Partners / Consortium Members	Industry: CORYS (developer of training software and simulators) Training Organizations (TOs): AFPA AURA / AFPA HdF; AFPI Isère (UIMM Training Center); CNAM; CEA-INSTN; CESI; ENSAM; IMT / CCI Grenoble; GIP FIPAG; University of Lyon 1 (IUT); Grenoble INP – UGA (including: DFP: Department of Professional Training; 4 schools: Phelma, Ense3, Pagora, Industrial Engineering; 3 labs (4 doctoral students): LEPMI, LGP2, GSCOP). Campus of Trades and Qualifications of Excellence: Smart Energy Systems Campus and CMQe Auto’mobilités Competitiveness Clusters: TENNERDIS; Inno (formerly EIT-InnoEnergy).
Funding Sources	France 2030
Amount of Funding	Total budget for Grenoble INP - UGA: 4,128 K€ including 3,021 K€ in CMA grants (out of a total EDLB budget of 19.8 M€, of which 13.6 M€ is funded by the government)
Project Duration	5 years
Launch Date	November 3, 2022