The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that it will award $63.5 million to four companies that are developing transformative energy technologies with a viable path to the market, including advancements in energy storage. This funding will be provided through the DOE’s SCALEUP program, aimed at previous awardees of the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy who have successfully de-risked their technology.
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm stated that by supporting the commercialization of promising technologies, the DOE is empowering the private sector to boost American manufacturing, strengthen national security, and maintain a competitive edge. The largest award of $20 million will go to Ion Storage Systems in Beltsville, Maryland, for the manufacturing of solid-state lithium-metal batteries, with the goal of accelerating the technology’s entry into the electric vehicle market.
AeroShield Materials in Waltham, Massachusetts will receive $14.5 million to develop a pilot manufacturing facility for aerogels that will enhance the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings. Antora Energy, in Sunnyvale, California, will use its $14.5 million award to scale production of its thermal battery technology, which transforms low-cost renewable energy into reliable heat and power for industrial facilities.
Queens Carbon in Pine Brook, New Jersey, will receive $14.5 million to develop an on-site pilot facility capable of producing carbon-neutral supplemental cementitious materials, supporting decarbonized cement production. These awards represent the third set of projects selected under the SCALEUP program, with full descriptions of the latest awards available on the DOE’s website.