The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded a $30m funding to help improve the performance and safety of energy storage devices.
The energy storage devices, including hybrid energy storage modules being developed by the Department of Defense for military applications.
The DOE funding will be provided through its Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E).
The Advanced Management and Protection of Energy-storage Devices (AMPED) program will use the funding to seek out transformational, breakthrough energy storage technologies that are too risky for private-sector investment but have the potential to translate science into quantum leaps in energy technology, form the foundation for entirely new industries, and have large commercial impacts.
AMPED technologies will be able to create a new generation of electric and hybrid-electric vehicles; increase the fuel efficiency of military generators to help reduce the need for fuel-convoys on the battlefield; improve the reliability of military aircraft generators to help to reduce operation and maintenance costs.
The technologies also have the capacity to enable next generation high power weapons systems and fuel efficient operations for Navy ships, and enhance the efficiency and reliability of the US electricity grid.