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The National Mission
Faced with world energy consumption that is projected to double in the next 50 years, the federal government has set two national goals that require major improvements in energy storage science and technology:
- By 2025, produce 25 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States from solar and wind.
- By 2015, have 1 million all-electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles on the road.
One million PHEVs recharging every night will place huge demand on the nation’s electrical grid, while the increased use of wind and solar energy will challenge the grid’s ability to provide a stable electrical supply around the clock.
To meet these challenges, we need efficient and reliable energy storage systems that – compared to today’s technologies – store much more power and energy, charge and discharge faster, and cost far less. Success in developing these technologies will require genuine breakthroughs in chemistry and materials science, coupled with innovative engineering to transform new scientific knowledge into useful technologies and products.
Such an undertaking calls for a partnership among universities, national laboratories, and industry: universities and national laboratories to conduct basic research, national laboratories and industry to provide innovative engineering, and strong industry participation to ensure that final products meet customer needs.
Success will give the United States the lead in a multi-billion dollar industry with the potential to create new jobs.
JCESR will be the nation’s leading center of energy storage R&D, supporting a wide array of related industries and leading innovation in a high-growth sector of advanced batteries with an international market projected to grow from $10 billion today and exceed $50 billion within the next five to seven years. The range of potential markets for advanced energy storage technologies and products is vast: hybrid and electric vehicles, the Smart Grid, stationary storage for electrical utilities, medicine, military, aerospace, construction, and consumer electronics – anything that can use a rechargeable battery.
NEXT: How JCESR will confront these scientific and engineering needs