Solid Power LLC Advances Toward Commercialization

As reported last month, ARPA-E announced the Robust Affordable Next Generation Energy Storage (RANGE) program and Louisville, Colo.-based Solid Power was one of the recipients of DoE money. It seems momentum is growing for this company with Colorado University agreeing to a technology transfer to Solid Power, a private company, for eventual commercializtion.

The innovative battery research—via EnergyHarvestingJournal.com—revolves around lithium-metal in the anode and the construction of the cathode, according to the article. Lithium-metal in the anode has been known for years to provide much more energy density to a battery, but the composition can be quite dangerous.

Se-Hee Lee and Conrad Stoldt, the two founders, addressed the highly reactive solid—lithium metal—by separating the anode and cathode with a ceramic eletrolyte. The article goes on to say that “the solid-state battery composition also allows less protective packaging and this could reduce the weight of the battery system and help range.”

For example, the Model S weighs between 4,800 to 5,100 lbs. Think of the extra range that could be added.

Even more exciting the article reports that the “battery prototype should be ready for in-field testing within 18 to 24 months.” A relatively short period of time after reading many promising battery technology innovations in the last couple of years. 

>> Solid Power article on EnergyHarvestingJournal.com, click here.