The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, in partnership with Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has been selected to lead a groundbreaking demonstration project. This initiative focuses on validating CMBlu Energy’s cutting-edge Organic SolidFlow™ battery technology for long-duration energy storage. The project is set to enhance microgrids in cold climates and drive affordability in fast-charging electric vehicles for underserved communities.
Innovative Battery Technology for Resilient Microgrids
Argonne and INL will actively deploy and assess CMBlu Energy’s Organic SolidFlow™ batteries throughout the project. These batteries boast non-metallic and abundant materials, promoting the establishment of resilient and domestic supply chains. The project targets various applications, including community, industrial, and utility-scale use for medium and long-duration energy storage.
Strategic Selection by the DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
Recognizing its significance, the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) selected this initiative as one of six demonstration projects under a long-duration energy storage lab call in September. The primary goal is to gather valuable insights into microgrids, particularly in remote or critical infrastructure settings such as hospitals.
Enhancing Microgrid Resilience and Making EV Charging Affordable
The project aims to demonstrate the reliability of CMBlu’s Organic SolidFlow batteries, crucial for ensuring a consistent power supply during prolonged outages or grid fluctuations. Additionally, the collaboration seeks to reduce fast-charging costs for electric vehicles in rural areas by optimizing installation and operational expenses.
Dual-Region Testing for Real-World Scenarios
Spanning two regions, the project will unfold at Argonne’s Smart Energy Plaza in the Midwest and the INL Battery Test Center in Idaho. At the Smart Energy Plaza, researchers will gather data on the performance of Organic SolidFlow batteries, while in Idaho, tests will focus on different temperature scenarios to ensure the technology’s adaptability in diverse environments.
This ambitious project boasts additional partnerships with key organizations such as the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Jensen Hughes, Drive Clean Indiana, and National Grid. Together, these entities aim to drive innovation in long-duration energy storage and advance sustainable solutions for a resilient energy future.
Source：businesswire.com
