Energy Storage and Battery Technology

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

As the UK continues its transition to renewable energy and electric transportation, energy storage and battery technology have become key enablers of the shift. From electric vehicles and grid-scale storage systems to portable power solutions and consumer electronics, the demand for safe, efficient, and scalable energy storage has never been higher.

However, while battery technologies such as lithium-ion are well-established, pushing their limits — or developing alternatives — remains a major engineering and scientific challenge. R&D tax relief is available to UK businesses seeking scientific or technological advancements by overcoming technical uncertainties in this rapidly evolving sector.

Qualifying activities typically involve experimentation, prototyping, and testing to improve performance, safety, longevity, or manufacturing methods where standard solutions fall short. Simply assembling existing battery components or applying off-the-shelf systems would not qualify — your work needs to advance what’s already possible.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in energy storage and battery development:

Developing New Battery Chemistries or Cell Designs

Researching and engineering new materials or cell architectures, such as solid-state batteries, lithium-sulphur, or sodium-ion technologies, to improve energy density, safety, or cost-effectiveness.

Improving Battery Performance and Lifespan

Experimenting with methods to extend battery cycle life, improve charging speed, reduce degradation, or operate in wider temperature ranges without compromising safety or capacity.

Enhancing Safety and Thermal Management Systems

Developing solutions to prevent thermal runaway, improve cooling systems, or enhance battery safety under impact, overcharging, or other hazardous conditions.

Engineering Scalable Manufacturing Processes

Overcoming technical challenges in scaling battery production from laboratory to commercial scale, particularly where new materials or processes require specialised manufacturing techniques.

Advancing Battery Management Systems (BMS)

Creating or improving software and hardware systems that monitor and control battery health, charge levels, and thermal performance to maximise lifespan and safety.

Developing Grid-Scale Energy Storage Solutions

Engineering large-scale battery systems for renewable energy integration, grid balancing, or backup power applications, particularly where performance, cost, or reliability challenges exist.

Integrating Energy Storage with Renewable Generation

Solving technical problems in connecting battery systems to solar, wind, or hydro power sources, including managing charge/discharge cycles and grid compliance.

Meeting UK Safety, Environmental, and Recycling Standards

Developing battery systems or recycling processes that comply with UK environmental regulations, waste reduction targets, or safety standards for transportation and disposal.

If your business is working to improve battery technology or energy storage systems through innovation and problem-solving, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK companies recover a portion of their research and development costs, supporting further progress in building a low-carbon, energy-secure future.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.