batteries

University of Washington expands battery innovation lab

Bellamy Pailthorp

A new lab at the University of Washington will accelerate testing of emerging battery technologies. Governor Jay Inslee spoke at an event to help launch it.

The Manatee Energy Storage Center, a battery farm built by NextEra Energy, entered service in Parrish, Florida, in 2022. That company wants to build the first standalone, utility-scale battery storage projects in Skagit and Whatcom counties.

Environment

Battery farms, energy industry’s new darling, lining up to enter Pacific NW

Tom Banse

Utilities and independent energy companies have proposed a slew of standalone battery energy storage systems, some of which have generated vocal pushback in the permitting process.

Cobalt is an important component of lithium ion batteries, like those in many electric vehicles

Science

Oregon State University plans to develop a battery that would not rely on rare minerals

Monica Samayoa

A research team led by Oregon State University hopes to develop new rechargeable battery technology that could reduce the need for mining lithium and nickel for electric vehicles.

Rows of solar panels with wind turbines nearby sit on a flat plain below a blue sky.

Environment

Tiny Oregon town hosts 1st wind-solar-battery 'hybrid' plant

The Associated Press

A renewable energy facility in Oregon that combines solar power, wind power and massive batteries to store the energy generated there will be the first utility-scale plant of its kind in North America.

Rendering by Sila Nanotechnolgies of what its battery materials plant in Moses Lake could look like.

Business

Big factory for electric car battery materials coming to Moses Lake, Washington

Tom Banse

San Francisco Bay area company Sila Nanotechnologies purchased a vacant factory in Moses Lake, Washington, and announced plans Tuesday to open a big operation there to produce advanced battery materials to power electric cars.

John Goodenough's work led to the lithium-ion battery, now found in everything from phones to electric cars. He and fellow researchers at the University of Texas, Austin say they've come up with a faster-charging alternative.

At 94, Lithium-Ion Pioneer Eyes A New Longer-Lasting Battery

Mose Buchele

In 1980, John Goodenough's work led to the lithium-ion battery, now found in everything from phones to electric cars. He and fellow researchers say they've come up with a faster-charging alternative.