Energy storage technology has the potential to transform nearly every aspect of how we use electrical energy, especially in electrification of transportation, large scale integration of renewable resources, and support the deeper decarbonization of the electric power sector. At the core of this future is the need for low cost energy storage systems with high energy density, safety, and reliability across a range of sizes and scales from kWh systems for behind the meter energy storage, 100 kWh systems for electric vehicles, and larger MWh to GWh systems for grid energy storage. This presentation will discuss coming changes in the electric power sector, present an overview of energy storage technologies, highlight recent developments, discuss what the future holds for new energy storage technologies, and review technology gaps and research needs.
Dr. Babu Chalamala is Head of the Energy Storage Technology and Systems Department and Program Manager for Grid Energy Storage at Sandia National Laboratories. Prior to joining Sandia in 2015, he was a Corporate Fellow at MEMC Electronic Materials where he led R&D and product development in energy storage technology. Before that, he had founding roles in two startup ventures commercializing large format lithium batteries and digital x-ray sources. Earlier, as a research staff member at Motorola and Texas Instruments, he made significant contributions to vacuum microelectronics and flat panel display technologies. Dr. Chalamala is a Fellow of the IEEE, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Academy of Inventors. He also has leadership roles in the Materials Research Society. He currently serves as Chair of the IEEE PES Energy Storage and Stationary Battery Committee. He is also a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Power and Energy Society.