An Oxford University spinout co-founded by Jesus College alumnus Damien Frost (2013, DPhil Engineering Science) has been acquired by Palmer Energy Technology Limited (PETL) in a deal announced earlier this week.

Brill Power, founded in 2016 as a spinout from the University’s Engineering Science Department, is known for cell level control and active balance technology in battery management systems. The intelligent battery management system it developed can extend battery pack life by up to 60%, and significantly improve energy yield, by drawing the optimum current from each cell based on its state of health. Damien, a former MCR President at Jesus, co-founded the company with Christoph Birkl and Carolyn Hicks, and is its Chief Technology Officer.

PETL is a UK-Based maker of Battery Energy Storage Systems founded by former Aston Martin CEO and Nissan COO Dr Andy Palmer CMG and Wei Shao.

The deal brings together PETL’s automotive grade battery storage systems and Brill Power’s sophisticated control platform. PETL will embed Brill’s electronics across its systems with immediate effect.

Professor David Howey, Head of Oxford’s Battery Intelligence Lab and the academic co-founder of Brill Power, says, “Seeing Brill Power transition from our Oxford research into a well-established company, and now become part of Palmer Energy Technology, is deeply rewarding. Embedding this breakthrough into PETL’s UK designed BESS platforms means our innovations will now power smarter, safer, and more sustainable energy storage systems at scale”.