The US Department of Energy has announced a significant investment of $100 million to advance projects exploring non-lithium battery technologies for long-term energy storage. This funding initiative, administered through the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, aims to support pilot-scale demonstration projects focusing on systems capable of discharging for 10 or more hours in stationary storage applications.
The initiative comes at a critical juncture as the US prepares to bolster its renewable energy infrastructure to meet future energy demands. With the nation targeting a net zero emissions goal by 2050, scalable and efficient energy storage solutions are essential to facilitate the integration of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
According to the DOE, current short-duration energy storage systems are insufficient to handle the anticipated growth in variable renewable energy deployment. Long-duration energy storage systems are envisioned to provide dispatchable backup power, ensuring grid resilience by storing excess renewable energy during periods of high supply for use during times of scarcity.
The funding opportunity seeks to support three to 15 pilot projects with grants ranging from $5 million to $20 million each, contingent upon private sector matching funds. These projects will focus on technology maturation, encompassing activities such as pilot system development, operational testing, and supply chain expansion to enable commercial adoption.
Applicants are encouraged to form collaborative teams including technology providers, utilities, facility operators, developers, and financiers, fostering a robust pathway from innovation to market readiness. The DOE's initiative underscores its commitment to accelerating the development and deployment of advanced energy storage technologies critical for achieving sustainable and resilient energy systems.
Internationally, researchers are actively exploring alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. Recent innovations include a water-based electrolyte battery developed by academics at the University of Southampton and a sodium-ion storage battery by US startup Unigrid, highlighting the global pursuit of diverse and sustainable energy storage solutions.
