UK startup Palmer Energy Technology Limited has acquired Oxford spin-out Brill Power in a deal supported by €5.7 million Series A funding from FirstGroup Energy, Barclays Climate Ventures, and the University of Oxford.
Acquisition strengthens UK battery storage sector
Palmer Energy Technology Limited (PETL), a battery energy storage systems company founded in 2024 by Dr Andy Palmer and Wei Shao, has announced the acquisition of Brill Power, a University of Oxford spin-out known for advanced battery management software. The transaction is paired with a fresh €5.7 million Series A investment, led by FirstGroup Energy Limited, together with Barclays Climate Ventures and the University of Oxford.
According to PETL CEO Andy Palmer, the merger allows the company to integrate Brill’s software across all its systems. He explained that embedding Brill’s technology will enable PETL to offer enhanced battery performance for clients such as FirstGroup, while also advancing the UK’s role in battery energy storage innovation. Palmer emphasized that the investment will accelerate product development and help deliver next-generation control systems.
Brill Power’s software to be embedded in PETL systems
Brill Power, established in 2016, was born out of academic research at the University of Oxford. Its technology is designed for cell-level control and active balancing in batteries, improving lifespan, efficiency, and safety. With this acquisition, PETL will adopt Brill’s platform across all its energy storage units.
The company confirmed that while Brill’s software will now be integrated into PETL’s systems, the Brill brand will continue to operate independently for third-party module sales. All software development and data handling will remain UK-based, ensuring compliance with domestic standards.
Strategic alignment with transport and grid needs
Faizan Muhammad, Investment Director at FirstGroup plc, said the partnership supports the company’s target of running a zero-emission fleet by 2035. He noted that PETL’s approach, enhanced by Brill’s software, could also extend to second-life battery use cases once electric bus batteries are retired.
At the same time, Adam Workman, Head of Investments and New Ventures at Oxford University Innovation, highlighted the importance of combining academic innovation with industrial application. He stressed that the partnership between PETL and Brill Power will speed up the commercialisation of advanced energy storage platforms.
Broader goals for UK-based production
PETL stated that the acquisition aligns with its long-term plan to scale manufacturing within the UK, improve supply chain resilience, and provide high-quality solutions for industrial, transport, and grid applications. By applying automotive-grade engineering standards to stationary systems, the company aims to strengthen its role in the growing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) market.
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