Grid Storage Launchpad at PNNL
Advancing the Next Generation of Grid Energy Storage Technologies
DOE's Office of Electricity has selected PNNL as the site for the Grid Storage Launchpad, a national resource and collaborative facility to advance the development of next-generation grid energy storage technologies.
(Architectural Rendering: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
GSL’s goal is to accelerate the development and deployment of next generation grid storage technologies through systematic and independent validation - from basic materials and components to prototypes that enable technologies that are safer, more cost effective, and more durable. Strategic funding from the State of Washington, Battelle and PNNL provide further support for GSL equipment and research and development activities that complement the DOE OE investment.
The facility will foster collaboration between national labs and other stakeholders to support OE’s mission, the Energy Storage Grand Challenge, and the Long Duration Storage Shot.
Through independent testing and validation of grid energy storage technologies, the GSL facility will develop and implement rigorous grid performance standards and requirements that span the entire energy storage R&D development cycle—from basic materials synthesis to advanced prototyping. This mission focuses on four outcomes that address critical challenges in grid energy storage development:
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Validate: Independent testing of next-generation energy storage materials and systems (less than 100kW) under realistic grid operating conditions.
- Accelerate: Reduce risk and speed development of new technologies by propagating rigorous grid performance requirements to all stages of development.
- Collaborate: Link DOE and storage R&D communities in a new collaboration center to solve key crosscutting challenges.
- Educate: Provide standardized training and development of the next generation workforce, from skilled labor to first responders and safety officials, to utility planners and regulators.
DOE and Community Input
| GSL is a Department of Energy national capability that will develop technologies to address the nation’s decarbonization and resiliency goals. GSL capabilities and research will be guided by both DOE and community input. The GSL - DOE Coordination Team will align GSL capabilities with DOE and OE missions and coordinate GSL efforts across other DOE programs and national laboratory resources. The GSL - External Steering Group will help PNNL and DOE identify how GSL capabilities can address the most important opportunities and challenges to accelerate the development of next generation energy storage technologies for U.S industry. |
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Fundamental Capabilities:
- Materials synthesis and processing
- In-operando characterization
- Small-scale cell fabrication
- KW-scale testing and validation
- Advanced prototyping
- Analytics and visualization
- Standards development
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