NorTech has developed a series of advanced energy roadmaps to accelerate job growth and regional economic impact in Northeast Ohio's advanced energy industry over the next seven years. The energy storage roadmap provides a detailed vision and action plan to achieve growth in this sector by focusing on Northeast Ohio's core assets, markets, strengths and competitive advantage. NorTech is working with its partners in the advanced energy cluster and the region's economic development ecosystem to implement the energy storage action plan.
Core Organizations
| Ashlawn Energy | Enersys | NASA Glenn |
| BASF | Exide Technologies | Novolyte Technologies |
| Case Western Reserve University | GrafTech International | R.W. Beckett |
| Crown Battery | InnoVentures | University of Akron |
| Energy Technologies Inc. | ModTech | FirstEnergy Corp. |
| These 14 organizations in these 4 segments account for approximately 640 employees and $105 million in revenue in 2009 in Northeast Ohio. | ||
Segments
| Lead-Acid Batteries Vision: To become a global leader in advanced lead-acid batteries. |
This is the oldest type of rechargeable electrochemical battery often used in motor vehicle starters. Key attributes are low-cost with low energy-toweight and energy-to-volume ratios but high power-to-weight. |
| Lithium-Ion Cell Materials Vision: To become the leading U.S. lithiumion materials supply region to serve domestic cell makers. From this foothold, establish a competitive position with Asian transplants. |
Rechargeable batteries in which lithium ions move from the negative to positive electrodes during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics of these materials may vary. |
| Flow Batteries Vision: To advance our position as the preeminent North American region for flow battery technology and systems. |
A rechargeable battery in which electrolyte flows through an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy to electricity. A rapid “recharge” is possible by replacing the electrolyte while recovering spent material for re-energization.l |
| Distributed Energy Storage Systems Vision: To become one of the top 3 North American leaders for distributed energy storage systems. |
A grid connected energy storage solution (ranging from 25 – 250 kW), typically connected to secondary transformers serving a few houses or small commercial loads. |
Regional Action Plan
Lead Acid Batteries
- Secure $1-2 million in grant funding to scale up advanced lead-acid battery manufacturing
- Initiate cluster sourcing effort to integrate advanced leadacid batteries into distributed energy storage system (DESS)
- Identify additional revenue opportunities for lead-acidbased DESS
Lithium-Ion Cell Materials
- Develop insight into U.S. cell makers, their needs, and their supply chains
- Cultivate relationships with U.S. cell makers
- Establish cluster memberships with Ohio materials companies outside of NEO
- Develop and articulate a clear NEO lithium-ion value proposition
- Initiate cluster sourcing projects to respond to domestic cell-makers' needs
- Identify and pursue grant opportunities that support NEO lithium-ion vision and strategy
Flow Batteries
- Support the success of current MW-scale demonstration by securing $3MM cost-share sources via guarantees, lease arrangements, etc.
- Influence the state regulatory/policy environment to support the technology by implementing REC market in Ohio
- Conduct Cluster Sourcing effort to reduce costs and develop supply chain
- Pursue targeted grants for research and commercialization of flow battery technology
Distributed Energy Storage System
- Identify additional revenue opportunities for DESS
- Initiate cluster sourcing effort focused on cost reduction
- Pursue targeted grant opportunities to deploy additional DESS or reduce costs
- Establish the cost / benefit case for regulators
- Influence the state regulatory/policy environment to support the technology by implementing a REC market in Ohio
- Develop and advocate for federal policies that alleviate transportation constraints and make DESS more attractive
- Connect industry requirements , including power electronics and system Integration, to curriculum at key supporting universities
To learn more about energy storage, visit the following resources: