The future of energy lies in more efficient, safer, and sustainable batteries. With an investment of $125 million, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aims to revolutionize the rechargeable battery sector, paving the way for innovative technologies that could transform the way we store and use energy. The funding is allocated to two top-tier research teams, led by the Argonne National Laboratory and Stanford University, respectively, with the goal of overcoming the limitations of current lithium-ion batteries.
Rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lead-acid batteries, have had a significant impact on the global economy, powering everything from portable electronic devices to electric vehicles. However, new applications require even greater energy storage capacity, lower costs, and alternative materials for battery production. These goals are essential not only to meet growing energy demands but also to mitigate risks associated with the supply chain of current batteries.
“Providing a solid scientific foundation to accelerate this research is crucial for our economy and to ensure that the United States assumes a leadership role in transforming how we store and use electricity,” said Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the DOE Office of Science. With these words, she emphasized the strategic importance of these new initiatives, which do not merely aim to improve existing technologies but seek to develop entirely new solutions for decarbonizing transportation and integrating renewable energy into the electrical grid.
The two research teams selected to lead this revolution are the Energy Storage Research Alliance (ESRA), led by Argonne National Laboratory, and the Aqueous Battery Consortium (ABC), led by Stanford University. ESRA will focus on creating new compact batteries, particularly suited for heavy-duty transportation and energy storage solutions for the grid, aiming to achieve unprecedented molecular-level control of chemical reactivity, ion selectivity, and directional transport in complex electrochemical cells. On the other hand, ABC will work on establishing the scientific foundation for large-scale development and deployment of aqueous batteries for long-term energy storage, a crucial aspect for the stability and reliability of electric grids powered by renewable energy sources.
A significant aspect of this research is the focus on the use of Earth-abundant materials, a strategic step to reduce dependence on critical materials and mitigate the vulnerabilities of the global supply chain, especially at a time when traditional resources are becoming increasingly scarce and contested.
These projects, which also involve Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions, represent an extraordinary opportunity for workforce development in energy storage research. The inclusion of researchers from diverse backgrounds underscores the DOE’s commitment to promoting an inclusive and diverse research environment, essential for tackling the most complex scientific challenges.
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Glossary
- DOE: Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Energy.
- ESRA: Energy Storage Research Alliance, a research alliance on energy storage.
- ABC: Aqueous Battery Consortium, a consortium dedicated to aqueous batteries.
- HBCU: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, historically Black educational institutions.
