The Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) at PNNL has been recognized by Battery Council International (BCI) for accelerating the deployment of grid-ready storage solutions.
Matt Paiss heads NFPA 800, shaping a unified battery safety code for hazards from production to disposal with the aim of safeguarding communities and guiding safe practices worldwide.
Sodium Battery Research Paves the Way for More Affordable Energy Storage Solutions
Backed by $75,000 in Department of Energy (DOE) funding from the Office of Electricity, a PNNL researcher works to refine solid-state sodium batteries for the grid.
Flow cell battery provides the first step toward an artificial intelligence (AI) driven, robotic energy storage discovery laboratory. Read more here.
New Tool Streamlines Generator Performance Evaluations
The Generator Scorecard, developed by PNNL in partnership with Bonneville Power Administration, automates generator evaluations, reducing engineering workloads and improving grid reliability. Read more here.
Innovative Model Accelerates Battery Development
EZBattery Model allows energy storage researchers to more quickly and easily identify the best performing battery designs without the need for extensive physical prototyping or computationally expensive simulations. Read more here.
Energy Storage System Enhances Grid Security at Air Force Base
PNNL teamed up with multiple agencies to install a battery energy storage system at a South Dakota Air Force base. Read more here.
Research Drives Innovation in Grid Energy Storage
Materials Scientist Dan-Thien Nguyen receives DOE funding to develop flowable zinc battery technology. Read more here.
Paiss Examines Battery Safety Risks After Moss Landing Fire
PNNL technical advisor Paiss, featured in Inside Climate News, analyzed the Moss Landing battery fire, stressing the need for stronger safety measures in large-scale energy storage. Read more here.
Sustainable Battery Electrolytes Research Featured in C&EN News
Wei Wang, PNNL Laboratory Fellow and materials scientist, shared insights on pioneering research that transforms chemical waste into sustainable battery electrolytes in a C&EN News article. Read more here.
Power Grid Resilience and Reliability Featured in Persons of Infrastructure Blog
Kevin Schneider, PNNL Laboratory Fellow, electrical engineer and OE Subsector manager, was featured in the Persons of Infrastructure blog, discussing advancements in power grid resilience and reliability. Read more here.
GSL Director Shares Energy Storage Insights on Industry Podcast
Vince Sprenkle, director of the Grid Storage Launchpad, discussed the research facility on Public Power Now's Podcast. Listen here.
As energy storage becomes more integrated into the power grid, ensuring technicians and first responders are prepared for safety challenges is critical. Battery systems pose unique challenges, from thermal runaway to high-voltage risks, requiring specialized training for effective response.
PNNL collaborates with industry and public safety officials to develop hands-on training, including field exercises to help first responders manage battery events and containment procedures. These sessions cover early warning signs of thermal instability, system shutdown protocols, and coordinated emergency response strategies.
At PNNL’s Grid Storage Launchpad, researchers test and refine safety protocols in simulated real-world conditions. By analyzing battery behavior and enhancing emergency procedures, PNNL transforms research into readiness—helping safeguard energy storage systems and the professionals who keep them running safely.
During the course of PNNL's history, we have advanced the frontiers of science, leveraging our distinctive strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology, and data science to address some of the world's greatest challenges. We’re proud of our 60 years of scientific discovery and look forward to more milestones in the future.
About Energy Storage at PNNL
PNNL research provides a clear understanding of the technology needs for integrating energy storage into the grid. We work with utilities and industry to assess the optimal role for energy storage installations under local operational and market conditions. Our research teams support field deployments where we work with stakeholders to characterize the value, understand usage and controls, and generally improve the benefits that energy storage systems provide to the grid. These data, provided to all stakeholders, assure that research development and deployment is working toward a more resilient, reliable, affordable, and secure electrical grid.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in energy resiliency and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle and supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit the DOE Office of Science website. For more information about PNNL, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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