Battery Technology - ADICA

Developing battery technology to store electrical energy so it can be available to meet demand whenever needed would represent a major breakthrough in the electric power industry. Energy storage devices located throughout the grid can provide dispatchable power required to supply customers during times of peak load, decreasing the use of expensive plants that utilities power up as a last resort. Battery technology is also crucial for increased use of clean renewable energy, whose power output cannot be controlled by grid operators.

A variety of battery technologies are being tested for the power grid, including: fuel cells, sodium sulfur “NAS”, lead acid, and lithium-ion battery technology. A major challenge being addressed by the U.S. Department of Energy is to reduce the cost of battery technology and to accelerate market acceptance. The Electric Drive Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative, includes $1.2 billion for battery technology.  Private investors are also seeing the new opportunities: Ernst & Young reported that energy storage technology for vehicles and the grid is one of the only bright spots for US Venture Capital investments into clean technology companies in the first quarter of 2009.

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