$75 million facility will boost clean energy adoption and make the nation’s power grid more resilient, secure, and flexible
April 21, 2022
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory broke ground on a $75 million facility that will boost clean energy adoption and make the nation’s power grid more resilient, secure, and flexible.
“The Grid Storage Launchpad facility will accelerate the development and deployment of long-duration, low-cost grid energy storage,” said Gil Bindewald, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy. “Energy storage is a critical step on the path to getting more renewable power on the system, supporting a growing fleet of electric vehicles, making our grid more reliable, and securing our clean energy future. Breakthroughs at this exciting facility will help provide clean, affordable, and resilient energy to everyone, everywhere, anytime.”
At the GSL, scientists will validate and test new grid storage technologies—from basic materials and components to prototype devices—under realistic operating conditions. It will promote rigorous grid performance requirements for all stages of technology development and accelerate the development of innovative technologies. The facility is expected to be ready for beneficial occupancy in 2023, with a planned start of operations in 2025.