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World Energy Storage Day 2021

Recognizing the key role energy storage plays in our electricity ecosystem

EV Photo

The effort to create electric-vehicle batteries that last longer, are less expensive and hold more energy is intense among battery researchers worldwide.

(Photo by Tong Patong | Shutterstock.com)

September 22, 2021

Advanced energy storage technologies are key to creating a cleaner, more reliable and resilient electric power grid and a decarbonized transportation sector. In celebration of World Energy Storage Day, we invite you to explore Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL's) research supporting this key area.

Hydrogen Energy Storage at Your Service

For most people considering any large purchase, cost is a major consideration. But cost is balanced by value. What do they get out of the investment over the long haul? Is it worth it? The same holds true for major investments in our energy system. And energy storage technologies are emerging as a key component of this system. Energy storage technologies are designed to store surplus energy and release it when needed to help meet demand. Read More...

Hydrogen Energy Storage
Hydrogen energy storage can support multiple end uses and provide flexibility for the grid. (Animation by Stephanie King | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Longer-Lived Lithium-Metal Battery Marks Step Forward for Electric Vehicles

Lithium Metal

Researchers have increased the lifetime of a promising electric vehicle battery to a record level, an important step toward the goal of lighter, less expensive and long-lasting batteries for future electric vehicles. The work is reported June 28 in the journal Nature Energy. Such batteries—the goal of research groups the world over—are seen as an important part of the solution to reduce the effects of climate change, and scientists are exploring a dizzying array of options. Read More...

Compound Commonly Found in Candles Lights the Way to Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Researcher in energy lab 2

Scientists at PNNL have shown that low-cost organic compounds hold promise for storing grid energy. Common fluorenone, a bright yellow powder, was at first a reluctant participant, but with enough chemical persuasion has proven to be a potent partner for energy storage in flow battery systems, large systems that store energy for the grid. Read More...

PNNL Invention Reduces Risk of Battery Explosions

A deceptively simple sensor system developed at PNNL can prevent dangerous conditions from developing in outdoor battery cabinets. Supported by DOE’s Office of Electricity, IntelliVent is designed to be installed in cabinet-style battery enclosures, which are becoming common for stationary grid energy storage. Read More...

Scientists at PNNL developed IntelliVent for cabinet-style battery enclosures to vent the cabinet interior at the first sign of explosion risk. (Video by Mike Perkins | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

Houston Partnership Selected to Design, Construct New $75 Million Grid Storage Launchpad at PNNL

Picture of a scientist working on a flow battery design in one of PNNL’s prototyping labs.

A partnership of Harvey | Harvey-Cleary and Kirksey Architecture will design and construct the Grid Storage Launchpad, a $75 million facility funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, that will boost clean energy adoption and make the nation’s power grid more resilient, secure and flexible. Read More...

PNNL on a Mission to Make Energy More Equitable and Just

Flexible and available at any scale, energy storage offers a useful framework and starting point in a larger conversation around energy equity.

Striving for more affordable, reliable, and clean energy to meet everyone’s needs is important when envisioning the future power grid. With that in mind, PNNL is embarking on a course to integrate energy equity in current grid modernization discourse and research efforts. Energy storage experts and power systems engineers at PNNL are exploring how energy storage can enable equitable outcomes for communities that need it the most. Read more…