The Need
The need for energy independence and economic security coupled with the negative environmental impact of current power sources is driving demand for solutions using clean, alternate sources of energy for many applications, including transportation. This confluence of needs has led experts to conclude that Energy Storage Devices must enter a new era of cost/performance capability while initiating the creation of an integrated supply chain to achieve the demands of several markets.
In addition to growing global demand, the U.S. seeks to stimulate a vibrant new industry capable of reestablishing a high-technology industrial base and driving high levels of job creation much like the automotive, industrial machinery and semi-conductor industries did in the past. Against this backdrop, not a single large, U.S.-based industrial enterprise has made the necessary investments or commitment to create the eco-system for such an industry to take shape. Some corporations have identified specific areas for financial investments or other limited development activity and numerous small companies, have taken on this massive challenge from their perceived competitive perspective of individual components or manufacturing know-how. Indeed, these efforts, though important and laudable, are not sufficient to create an industry that requires massive intellectual knowledge and expertise as well as capital investment.
Solutions
The federal government and some states, including Michigan, have stepped in to stimulate this new industry. Dow was recently awarded funding from both DOE and the State of Michigan to build advance battery manufacturing and supply chain capability. In addition to this type of funding to support and reduce the early-mover risk for the creation of this whole new green manufacturing capability, additional policies are needed, including:
- A price on carbon to assure adoption of advanced battery technology
- Government procurement of electric fleet vehicles to help scale up manufacturing, prove the technology and drive down unit costs.
- Incentives for deployment of charging infrastructure.
