1. DOE launched two RFIs to address challenges in establishing mass production of energy storage technologies and creating ‘storage-ready’ communities.
2. The ‘Blue-sky training program’ aims to educate stakeholders on dealing with unanticipated failures of energy storage systems.
3. DOE is seeking input on technology design challenges faced in manufacturing energy storage to increase affordability and widespread use, with a focus on supporting domestic manufacturing.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is seeking to establish mass production of energy storage technologies, while also addressing the challenges that come with it. Two Requests for Information (RFIs) were launched by the DOE’s Office of Electricity (OE) regarding safety training and manufacturing processes for energy storage systems.
The DOE is aiming to create a ‘Blue-sky training program’ to educate stakeholders on handling unexpected failures of energy storage systems, including cybersecurity issues and equipment abuse. This initiative is to ensure communities are well-prepared to host energy storage facilities, as deployment can be delayed due to uncertainty in managing failures. The RFI is open until 3 June 2024.
The DOE’s emphasis on safe storage is crucial given the rapid growth of battery storage technology in the US. With projections of 59GW of new grid-scale battery storage deployments by 2030 and over 200GW by 2040, prioritizing safe manufacturing practices is essential. The DOE is seeking input from various stakeholders to address technology design challenges and prioritize solutions for increasing affordability and widespread use of energy storage technologies.
These efforts align with state-level initiatives in California and New York, where emergency response plans for storage facilities are now required. The DOE’s RFIs aim to gather insights to support the industrial-scale manufacturing of energy storage technologies, ultimately benefiting the American people. Responses to the RFIs are being accepted until 10 June 2024.