Energy Innovation Hub Program: Research to Enable Next-Generation Batteries and Energy Storage

The DOE SC program in Basic Energy Sciences (BES) hereby announces its interest in receiving new applications for Energy Innovation Hub projects pursuing multi-investigator, cross-disciplinary fundamental research to address emerging new directions as well as long-standing challenges for the next generation of rechargeable batteries and related electrochemical energy storage technologies. Electrochemical energy storage is typically viewed as the bidirectional interconversion of electricity and chemical potential energy using electrochemistry for the purpose of storing electrical energy for later use, with lithium (Li)-ion and lead acid batteries being representative of the current generation of electrochemical energy storage. Discovery and scientific exploration of new battery chemistries, materials, and architectures for energy storage are encouraged. Research on electrolyzer/fuel cell combinations using hydrogen or hydrocarbons as the chemical storage media are supported elsewhere within DOE programs and are specifically excluded from this FOA. Regardless of materials and electrochemical processes involved, the focus must be on fundamental scientific concepts and understanding for the next generation of batteries and electrochemical energy storage.

The proposed fundamental electrochemical energy storage research should impact a broad range of topics, including decarbonization of transportation and incorporation of clean energy into the electricity grid, especially for long duration energy storage (LDES). Two recent DOE-wide activities involving batteries and related electrochemical energy storage are the Energy Storage Grand Challenge and the Long Duration Storage Energy EarthshotTM. Electrochemical energy storage technology has the potential to accelerate full decarbonization of the electric grid, and the Long Duration Storage Shot establishes a target to reduce the cost of grid-scale energy storage by 90% for systems that deliver 10+ hours of duration within the decade. More broadly the Energy Storage Grand Challenge provides a programmatic framework that supports the vision to develop and domestically manufacture energy storage technologies, including batteries and other electrochemical energy storage, that can meet all U.S. market demands by 2030. Given the foundational role of basic scientific research in providing the needed technology options to support these critical goals, Energy Innovation Hub investments in scientific discovery and exploration to advance the fundamental understanding of electrochemical energy storage processes, materials, and systems are needed. Progress in the fundamental science topics described in the 2017 Basic Research Needs for Next Generation Electrochemical Energy Storage Workshop will drive innovation in batteries and advance development of new and effective energy storage technologies needed for a decarbonized economy by 2050.