NETL to work with Office of Fossil Energy to develop accelerate energy storage

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE) will manage the DOE’s program to accelerate the development of energy storage technologies.

“We are excited and well-positioned to serve in this critical role on behalf of DOE,” Brian Anderson, director of NETL, said. “The technologies to be developed and matured through this program are essential components to build a resilient and secure electricity network to serve the nation’s energy needs.”

NETL will assist FE with developing an Energy Storage Technology Research Program. The new program promotes energy storage for a more reliable and affordable energy supply, better reliability in a changing grid, a more secure supply, reduced customer cost, a stronger energy infrastructure, a more flexible electricity grid, and a cleaner environment.

The program will focus on a range of technologies, not just batteries. Subsurface, thermal, mechanical and chemical means be also considered for fossil energy applications, in addition to electrochemical technologies like Li-Ion and flow batteries. These technologies may be suited to integration with fossil fuel assets.

Also, the DOE launched the Energy Storage Grand Challenge in January to position the nation for global leadership in energy storage technologies by 2030. The DOE will soon issue a request for information (RFI) soliciting stakeholder feedback on key questions and issues to address. The DOE will hold a series of workshops with stakeholders to share information about various storage technologies.