SYRION joins the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) to bring systemic research and battery passport expertise to maritime electrification
The Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) is pleased to welcome SYRION – Institute for Systemic Research and Innovation as the newest member of our global community of maritime battery enablers.
SYRION brings a unique combination of systemic research expertise, battery lifecycle knowledge, and strong involvement in European R&D projects, further strengthening MBF’s capabilities in advancing safe and sustainable maritime electrification.
As the maritime industry accelerates toward decarbonisation, the integration of batteries into vessels requires not only technological advancements, but also robust frameworks for safety, lifecycle management, and regulatory alignment. SYRION’s expertise positions it as a valuable contributor in addressing these challenges.
Developing Sustainable Technologies
SYRION is a non-profit research and innovation institute headquartered in Graz, Austria, founded in 2020. The organisation focuses on the development, implementation, and integration of sustainable technologies across technical and human-centered systems, with a strong emphasis on systemic thinking and cross-sector innovation, as well as university teaching and training of young professionals.
Its primary focus lies in sustainable mobility, spanning road, rail, aviation, and shipping. Within this domain, SYRION has developed deep expertise in battery systems, fuel cells, software-defined vehicles, and the interaction between vehicles and infrastructure. Beyond mobility, SYRION is active in areas such as smart manufacturing, the forestry and wood industry, biodiversity monitoring, IoT/communication systems, and dual use/defence applications.
Operating as a lean, expert-led organisation, SYRION combines technical depth with strong project management capabilities, acting as a trusted bridge between research institutions, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. Its systemic and interdisciplinary approach allows it to operate at the intersection of technology development, regulatory frameworks, and innovation ecosystems.
Driving Innovation Through European R&D Projects
A defining strength of SYRION is its extensive involvement in national and European research and innovation projects, where it contributes across the full project lifecycle. From concept development and proposal coordination to execution, evaluation, and dissemination. Among its current portfolio are several cutting-edge projects addressing sustainability, digitalisation, and circularity, including BioDiMoBot, AutoForst, REDUCE, trace-wood, FCircular, and ECO-FCEV. These projects reflect SYRION’s broad technical reach, from automation and smart forestry to circular economy solutions and fuel cell mobility.
In the maritime domain, SYRION plays a key role in the Horizon Europe project eWAVE (Efficient HV-electric modular battery and distribution systems for sustainable waterborne vessels), launched in February 2025. The project tackles some of the most critical barriers to all-electric vessels, including limited battery energy density, safety risks such as thermal runaway, and economic viability.
Within eWAVE, SYRION contributes its expertise in system requirement management, safety assessment (including state-of-safety estimation), second-life applications, and battery passports, supporting the development of modular high-voltage battery systems and integrated safety concepts. The project also explores how maritime batteries can be repurposed after their first life, a key element in improving sustainability and total cost of ownership.
Expertise in Battery Passports and Standardisation
In parallel with its project work, SYRION is actively engaged in standardisation and regulatory development, particularly in the field of digital product passports and battery passports. Through Austrian Standards International, SYRION contributes to the CEN/CENELEC JTC 24 (Digital Product Passport: Framework and System) process. This work is central to shaping how batteries are tracked, monitored, and managed across their lifecycle—ensuring transparency, safety, and compliance with emerging European and global regulations.
SYRION aims to extend this expertise into the maritime sector, helping to define how battery passport frameworks can be adapted to marine-specific requirements, including operational conditions, safety considerations, and international regulatory alignment.
Building on Cross Sector Expertise
SYRION joined the Maritime Battery Forum to deepen its understanding of the unique technical and operational challenges of maritime battery systems, building on its cross-sector expertise. The Forum provides an important platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and project development, enabling SYRION to connect with industry leaders, expand its partner network, and contribute to future research initiatives in maritime electrification. A key motivation is also the opportunity to contribute to the development of battery passports for maritime applications, helping align emerging European frameworks with global maritime needs.
SYRION’s contribution to MBF will center on transferring knowledge from other sectors particularly automotive into maritime use cases. This includes expertise in second-life battery applications, safety and state-of-safety assessment, and system-level integration. In addition, SYRION brings strong capabilities in R&D project coordination and funding acquisition, supporting collaborative innovation across the MBF network. Its involvement in standardization processes also positions it to contribute to the development of globally aligned regulatory frameworks for maritime batteries.
“Joining the Maritime Battery Forum is a logical step for SYRION. We want to apply and adapt our experience with battery and digital product passports, second-life applications and safety assessment—gained primarily in the automotive sector—to the specific challenges posed by batteries in the maritime context. We look forward to learning from the Forum’s members and contributing where our expertise is most valuable.”
About the Maritime Battery Forum
The Maritime Battery Forum was founded with the aim of promoting new and efficient energy storage technologies in the maritime industry. With over 90 members across 3 continents, the MBF works to disseminate information, facilitate discussion, and accelerate the journey towards a zero-emission maritime future.
Contact :
Ayomide Miracle Salifu
Community & Communications Manager
Email: ayomidesalifu@maritimebatteryforum.com
