Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is partnering with CALCEF Catalyst to launch CalCharge, an energy storage innovation accelerator, comprised of emerging and established California companies, research institutions, and related organizations developing energy storage technologies for the electric/hybrid vehicle, grid, and consumer electronics markets.

CalCharge will help accelerate the growth of the entire California energy storage cluster, and will provide another pillar for statewide and national economic growth while solving critical environmental and energy security issues. It creates a “center of gravity” for the cluster that enables its diverse stakeholders to collaborate, identify barriers to emerging technology success, develop solutions, and helps provide access to resources that help clear the path to commercialization.

CalCharge will offer a comprehensive suite of member programs in four key areas: Technology Assessment and Acceleration; Professional Development; Commercialization Support; and Community Facilitation. This includes the creation of a streamlined process for member companies to engage in collaborative research projects with Berkeley Lab. Through this mechanism, members will be able to more rapidly access the world-class scientific facilities, personnel, and testing and diagnostics equipment of Berkeley Lab than through bi-laterally negotiated relationships. The resulting increased connectivity between innovative companies and the resources of the Lab will help speed the movement of emerging battery technologies from the bench to the market for the entire sector.