Dr. Karim Zaghib is a world-renowned scientist who specializes in rechargeable batteries, energy transition and the electrification of transportation. His many seminal scientific publications in these fields have earned him numerous honours and distinctions. He is regularly invited to take part in international conferences as an expert speaker to address issues and share vision involving energy storage and new battery technologies.
As director of research into the development of materials for lithium-ion batteries at Hydro-Québec, he helped make it the world’s first company to use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) in cathodes and to develop natural graphite and nanotitanate anodes. Dr. Zaghib was also one of the pioneers of the first photo-battery with two electrodes and in MWh high- capacity energy storage based on LFP/graphite through a joint-venture collaboration with Sony. The team’s most recent advances, achieved in collaboration with universities, research centres and businesses, are paving the way for the next generation of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage solutions, an area in which Québec and Canada are well positioned to play a leading role.
Professional Experience
Strategic Advisor, Investissement Québec ( June 20 to December 2021)
Founder and General Director of Hydro-Québec’s Center of Excellence in
Transportation Electrification and Energy Storage [CETEES] (2017–2020)
Interim Senior Director of Hydro-Québec Research Institute [IREQ] (2017–2017)
Chief Technology Officer of InnovHQ and HQ Energy Storage [HQES], (2017–2020)
Chief Executive Officer, SCE France SAS (2015–2020)
Founder and Executive Director, Esstalion (Sony-HQ joint-venture) (2014–2018)
Director, Energy Storage and Conversion, Hydro-Québec Research Institute [IREQ]
(2007–2017)
Honors and Distinctions, 20
Kalev Pugi Award from Society of Chemical Industry, 2022
Fellow Royal Society of Canada, 2021
Chair _ Belgium-Québec, 2020
Lionel-Boulet Award, Gouvernement du Québec (2019)
Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (2017)
Research and Technology Awards, International Battery Association (2010 and
2017)
Battery Division Technology Award, Electrochemical Society (2013)
Fellow of the Electrochemical Society (2011)
Energy Technology Division Award, Electrochemical Society (2009)
International Electric Research Exchange Award (2008)