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Siemens & Vulcan Energy partner to scale Europe's sustainable lithium supply
Integrated digitalization and control systems enable scalable, low-carbon lithium production for Europe’s electric vehicle supply chain.
www.siemens.com
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Energy, battery materials, and industrial automation are increasingly converging as Europe seeks to secure a sustainable lithium supply for electric mobility. In this context, Siemens AG has partnered with Vulcan Energy Resources to provide automation and digitalization technologies for the Lionheart Project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley.
The project represents Europe’s first integrated lithium and renewable energy operation, combining resource extraction, processing, and energy generation within a unified infrastructure. Siemens has been selected as the preferred supplier of automation and digitalization technologies under a framework agreement extending to 2035, supporting both the initial Lionheart development and future project phases.
Integrated lithium production and renewable energy generation
The Lionheart Project is designed to produce approximately 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, a volume sufficient for around 500,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. In parallel, the facility is expected to generate approximately 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of heat annually for local use over an estimated 30-year operational lifespan.
This integrated approach combines lithium extraction with renewable energy production, supporting both resource efficiency and reduced carbon intensity in battery material supply.
Automation and digitalization across the value chain
Siemens will deliver end-to-end automation and digitalization solutions based on its Xcelerator portfolio, enabling coordinated operation across multiple process stages—from resource extraction to final lithium processing.
Key technology components include:
Energy, battery materials, and industrial automation are increasingly converging as Europe seeks to secure a sustainable lithium supply for electric mobility. In this context, Siemens AG has partnered with Vulcan Energy Resources to provide automation and digitalization technologies for the Lionheart Project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley.
The project represents Europe’s first integrated lithium and renewable energy operation, combining resource extraction, processing, and energy generation within a unified infrastructure. Siemens has been selected as the preferred supplier of automation and digitalization technologies under a framework agreement extending to 2035, supporting both the initial Lionheart development and future project phases.
Integrated lithium production and renewable energy generation
The Lionheart Project is designed to produce approximately 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, a volume sufficient for around 500,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. In parallel, the facility is expected to generate approximately 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of heat annually for local use over an estimated 30-year operational lifespan.
This integrated approach combines lithium extraction with renewable energy production, supporting both resource efficiency and reduced carbon intensity in battery material supply.
Automation and digitalization across the value chain
Siemens will deliver end-to-end automation and digitalization solutions based on its Xcelerator portfolio, enabling coordinated operation across multiple process stages—from resource extraction to final lithium processing.
Key technology components include:
- Distributed control systems (DCS): Centralized monitoring and control of complex industrial processes
- Digital twin technology: Simulation and optimization of plant performance throughout the lifecycle
- Industrial networks and IT security: Secure data exchange across operational and enterprise systems
- Advanced instrumentation and analytics: Real-time process monitoring and performance optimization
These technologies are designed to support efficient, scalable, and data-driven operations across the multi-site project.
Smart infrastructure and multi-site integration
In addition to process automation, Siemens will provide smart building and infrastructure solutions to support energy management and facility operations. The integrated system architecture enables coordination between production sites in the Upper Rhine Valley and the Frankfurt region, facilitating efficient resource utilization and operational control.
This level of integration is particularly relevant for projects combining industrial processing with renewable energy generation, where synchronization between energy supply and production demand is critical.
Strategic financing and long-term partnership
Beyond technology supply, Siemens is also contributing to the project’s financing through Siemens Financial Services, which will participate as a minority investor. The financing structure includes a consortium of strategic partners, supporting long-term project development and scalability.
The partnership aligns with broader European initiatives to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on imported raw materials. The Lionheart Project has been designated as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, reflecting its role in supporting the region’s energy transition and e-mobility ecosystem.
By combining automation, digitalization, and integrated energy systems, the collaboration between Siemens and Vulcan Energy illustrates how industrial technology can enable large-scale, sustainable lithium production within Europe.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.
www.siemens.com
Smart infrastructure and multi-site integration
In addition to process automation, Siemens will provide smart building and infrastructure solutions to support energy management and facility operations. The integrated system architecture enables coordination between production sites in the Upper Rhine Valley and the Frankfurt region, facilitating efficient resource utilization and operational control.
This level of integration is particularly relevant for projects combining industrial processing with renewable energy generation, where synchronization between energy supply and production demand is critical.
Strategic financing and long-term partnership
Beyond technology supply, Siemens is also contributing to the project’s financing through Siemens Financial Services, which will participate as a minority investor. The financing structure includes a consortium of strategic partners, supporting long-term project development and scalability.
The partnership aligns with broader European initiatives to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on imported raw materials. The Lionheart Project has been designated as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, reflecting its role in supporting the region’s energy transition and e-mobility ecosystem.
By combining automation, digitalization, and integrated energy systems, the collaboration between Siemens and Vulcan Energy illustrates how industrial technology can enable large-scale, sustainable lithium production within Europe.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.
www.siemens.com
