In a significant milestone for the future of the U.S. energy grid, scientists, legislators, and Department of Energy (DOE) officials gathered at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to dedicate a state-of-the-art 93,000-square-foot research facility. The new Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) is set to play a pivotal role in accelerating the development of advanced energy storage technologies, a critical component for the nation’s transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.
Funded by the DOE’s Office of Electricity in collaboration with the Office of Science, the GSL will house all of PNNL’s energy storage researchers, from those focused on pioneering new battery chemistries to those conducting real-world testing of next-generation technologies.
"The dedication of GSL marks a critical step in enhancing the nation’s energy infrastructure,” said Senator Maria Cantwell, among the key speakers at the event, along with other local legislators and DOE representatives. “This facility will help ensure that we meet our clean-energy goals and build a more reliable and resilient grid for future generations."
The GSL’s mission is to accelerate the research, validation, and deployment of advanced energy storage solutions essential to modernizing the electrical grid and achieving the nation’s clean energy targets. Vince Sprenkle, GSL’s first director, and a renowned energy storage expert, emphasized the facility’s integrated approach: “Energy storage will be a significant part of a resilient and reliable grid that’s fully decarbonized. And GSL will help us get there.”
He continued, “GSL is truly an integrated facility that incorporates everything from fundamental materials research to testing 100-kilowatt batteries. This will enable us to validate new battery materials and systems under realistic grid operating conditions."
The facility’s unique capabilities will allow researchers to evaluate new battery technologies, from the molecular level to large-scale systems, under real-world conditions. Combining fundamental research with applied testing, this approach is expected to fast-track the development and commercialization of more reliable and cost-effective grid-scale storage technologies.
The Grid Storage Launchpad will complement the work already conducted at PNNL’s Electricity Infrastructure and Operations Center (EIOC). Scientists and engineers at the EIOC have been instrumental in developing sophisticated tools to monitor and enhance grid performance, often working closely with utilities and government agencies to tackle the complex challenges of the nation’s power system.
Laboratory Director Steve Ashby emphasized the collaborative spirit that GSL will foster: “GSL will house some of the world’s most accomplished scientists and engineers from PNNL, other national labs, academia, and industry—working together to develop real-world solutions that will benefit our nation and the world.”
This collaboration will be vital as the GSL researchers seek to address key technical challenges, such as improving battery performance, reducing costs, and ensuring safety. One of the major research avenues at GSL will be exploring alternative battery chemistries, such as those utilizing Earth-abundant elements like sodium, iron, and zinc. These alternatives have the potential to reduce reliance on critical materials that are both costly and geopolitically sensitive.
Beyond its research capabilities, the Grid Storage Launchpad will serve as an educational hub, helping to train technicians, safety officials, grid operators, and first responders on the operation and safety of energy storage systems. This broader engagement reflects GSL’s role as a research center and a catalyst for workforce development and industry collaboration.
Geri Richmond, DOE Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, highlighted the transformative impact GSL will have on the energy storage industry: "This new Grid Storage Launchpad is where we will transform the energy storage industry, which is a key to modernizing the U.S. electric grid.”
Richmond emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing energy storage technology. “When we bring the smartest minds in the industry and give them the tools to advance energy storage, we move our nation that much closer to a cleaner energy future.”
The construction of the Grid Storage Launchpad represents a significant investment in the future of energy storage, with funding contributions from the DOE, Battelle, PNNL, and the state of Washington. The Washington State Department of Commerce provided additional funding for advanced research equipment and specialized instrumentation, further enhancing the facility’s capabilities.
The 93,000-square-foot building will house 30 laboratories and about 100 researchers, each working toward advancing energy storage technologies that will reshape the nation’s energy landscape.
As the U.S. transitions to a clean energy economy, the work conducted at PNNL’s GSL will be crucial in ensuring that energy storage systems are ready to meet the demands of a decarbonized grid and electrified transportation sector.
