Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) Celebrates First Year; Ready for More Achievements
Since marking its first anniversary in August 2025, the Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) at PNNL has made notable strides in advancing energy storage innovation. Recent highlights include visits from U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson. Additionally, GSL has opened its facilities to industry for testing cutting-edge grid-scale battery technologies. With more milestones ahead, the GSL remains a hub for advancing transformative energy storage. Keep informed by visiting PNNL’s GSL webpage.
Energy Secretary Visits PNNL
During a December visit to PNNL, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright met with lab leaders, spoke to PNNL staff, and toured facilities, including the GSL. Shortly after the visit, PNNL announced the first tests of a utility-grade battery at the GSL, marking a significant milestone for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) investment in advanced energy storage. In the video preview photo below, GSL Director Vince Sprenkle (left) talks with Wright, who helped initiate the first test of the vanadium flow battery built by Invinity Energy Systems. Read the full story.
Secretary Chris Wright's PNNL Visit (Click Image Below to Watch Video)
Exploring Energy Innovation: DOE's Audrey Robertson Visits PNNL
In January, PNNL hosted Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson, head of DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI). The visit showcased PNNL’s impact, from developing critical mineral mining techniques to strengthening grid reliability through advanced energy storage technologies to transforming American manufacturing.
Power Up: Independent Testing for Grid-Scale Batteries
The GSL has opened its doors to battery innovators, offering a cost-effective solution for testing grid-scale energy storage systems. Focusing on systems over 100 kW, GSL ensures rigorous performance evaluations for mature technologies, helping companies and utilities gain critical operational insights. Applications are now open for companies seeking independent validation of their systems. Learn more and apply to test today.
New PNNL Report: Preparing the Grid for Wildfire Threats
Shaping the Future of Electricity at gridCONNEXT® 2025
PNNL was a sponsor of the December gridCONNEXT® 2025 conference in Washington, DC, which provided insights on energy policy and grid modernization. A highlight was a fireside chat featuring Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota and moderated by PNNL Advisor, Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Directorate, Brie Van Cleve. Their discussion explored strategies to meet growing capacity demands, key DOE initiatives, and new legislation to shape reliable, modern power systems. Learn more about Van Cleve's role with gridCONNEXT®.
Chen and Dagle Named IEEE Fellows
Yousu Chen and Jeff Dagle, distinguished PNNL electrical engineers, have been honored as IEEE Fellows for their contributions to power system modeling, grid reliability, and advanced technologies. Learn more about Chen’s and Dagle’s achievements.
Molecules to Batteries and Beyond: PNNL’s Energy Storage Legacy
PNNL has transformed into a leader in energy storage research through two decades of strategic investment. From creating the world’s smallest battery to advancing materials science, researchers at PNNL have unlocked discoveries that enhance battery performance and longevity. Explore the journey.
WSU and PNNL: Building and Operating an Affordable, Reliable, and Secure Regional Grid
Washington State University and PNNL’s Advanced Grid Institute (AGI) recently hosted “AGI Day,” bringing together researchers, industry leaders, students, and policymakers to address critical issues in building an affordable, reliable, and secure regional energy grid. Keynote speakers highlighted challenges such as unprecedented demand, cybersecurity, and resource deployment hurdles. AGI leaders shared progress in energy systems research and workforce training. Discover insights into how innovation is shaping the future of the grid to meet increasing energy needs.
Workshop Helps Washington Utilities Plan a Stronger, Smarter Grid
Utilities across the State of Washington are enhancing grid resilience through workshops led by PNNL and the Washington State Department of Commerce. With tools, strategy sessions, and collaboration, smaller utilities joined forces to prepare stronger grant applications under the Washington Grid Resilience Grant Program. Discover how regional planning drives real transformations.
Transforming Innovation Through the AI Computing Revolution
PNNL is a key partner in the Genesis Mission, DOE's integrated ecosystem that accelerates discovery and strengthens U.S. leadership in AI-powered science. Drawing on its deep expertise in the design and application of AI, novel computing paradigms, and fundamental science, PNNL is creating AI solutions to aid autonomous discovery science. Learn about the Mission.
PNNL's Center for AI Hosts Seattle AI Jam
The PNNL Center for AI recently hosted the Seattle AI Jam, demonstrating how interdisciplinary collaboration and AI methodologies can advance scientific research. During the two-day event, participants were introduced to PNNL’s cutting-edge large language model tools in a tailored upskill workshop. The teams of staff put these tools into practice during a hackathon, which was designed to cultivate solutions to scientific challenges. By bridging expertise across disciplines and domains, the event strengthened staff literacy in AI/ML methodologies, deepened AI knowledge, and launched new collaborations.
Two PNNL Researchers Named Distinguished Inventors of Battelle
Paul Humble and Huidong Li were recently honored for inventing transformative energy, environmental, and national security technologies. Discover their groundbreaking innovations.
Could Sodium-Ion Batteries Replace Lithium?
A DOE-backed consortium is developing cost-effective, high-performance batteries using U.S.-sourced sodium, enhancing energy security and advancing battery innovations. Read the full story.
PNNL Researchers Named to State Academy of Sciences
PermitAI Ushers in New Era for Faster, Better Federal Permitting
PermitAI’s groundbreaking database revolutionizes environmental reviews, streamlining permitting processes. Learn how it can inform decision-making for critical energy infrastructure projects.
Improving Battery Efficiency Through Electrolyte Circulation
Matt Fayette, a PNNL materials scientist, is working on a new approach to make these batteries last longer. Find out how a gentle, pump-driven electrolyte circulation method could enhance lead-acid and nickel-iron batteries, improving efficiency and durability for grid energy storage systems.
From Generators to Consumers: The Flow of Energy Explained
PNNL created a new "scrollytelling" page that explains the grid, flow of energy, energy storage, and more. Check it out and share the link!
PNNL Engineers Win Best Paper at IEEE PES General Meeting
Congratulations to the Maple Branch team for winning Best Paper at the IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting. Pictured here are (left to right) PNNL Electrical Engineers Alex Anderson and Shiva Poudel with IEEE PES Governing Board Member Jim McBride. The submission: "Optimized Selection of Volt-VAR Curves in a Multi-Cloud Standards-based Testbed." Learn more about the awards program.
PNNL Researchers Participate in 2025 Seattle Fusion Week
Attendees at the recent 2025 Seattle Fusion Week included fusion energy companies, policymakers, researchers, and non-governmental organizations. A National Laboratory breakout panel featured PNNL nuclear engineer Andy Casella.
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 cleaner power future for America. Understanding the benefits of the wide variety of storage technologies and developing the critical advancements required to bring down the cost of energy storage will help integrate abundant power sources and energize a modern, flexible, and resilient power grid.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratorydraws 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, visitPNNL's News Center. Follow us onX, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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