Binghamton University’s project bags $113 million towards battery innovation hub
Binghamton University's New Energy New York project has been awarded more than $113 million to establish a hub for battery technology innovation in upstate New York. The U.S. Economic Development Administration recently announced that the region would receive $63.7 million, while the State of New York has vowed to support the project with an additional $50 million.
US President Joe Biden and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo spoke directly to the 21 grant recipients, including the New Energy New York leadership team. "I applaud every community that received the grant and those that applied. You're the reason I'm so optimistic about the future. There is nothing but possibilities here", he said.
Binghamton University has said that it will develop a battery technology and manufacturing center in an opportunity zone in Endicott, with additional projects in the coming years to support the battery industry and its supply chain. The entire initiative is expected to have a $2 billion economic impact, it added.
"This will enable North America to develop batteries rather than sending our technology overseas," said Whittingham, an inventor of the lithium-ion battery who helped lead the proposal's development. "We can't have a supply chain dominated by any one part of the world. We can have batteries that have 'Made in America' stamped on them. I'm excited to spearhead the prototype facility in Endicott. We have built a coalition with industry partners so we have plans that are already informed by companies' needs".
The project includes regional workforce development required to support the storage manufacturing ecosystem, with dedicated programs to promote equity and participation of individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.
William P. Acker, executive director of the New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST), said the New Energy New York project will strengthen the state's robust ecosystem for batteries and energy storage technologies.
"Through the New Energy New York program, we will establish valuable new facilities, including a new Battery-NY Center, to support large-scale battery prototyping and manufacturing of new innovative 'leapfrogging' battery technologies," Acker said.
He further added, "We will also grow and develop the domestic supply chain and workforce needed to ensure that New York state and the nation are positioned to meet the growing domestic need for batteries. The New Energy New York project will be instrumental in driving job creation, economic growth and equity and justice from the rapidly expanding global battery industry".
