Energy Department asks industry for prototype Lithium-ion battery for backup power of 2.4 megawatt-hours
WASHINGTON – U.S. energy researchers are approaching industry for a prototype safe lithium-ion battery for backup power that can provide 2.4 megawatt-hours of usable energy throughout the battery's life.
Officials of the U.S. Naval Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, issued a solicitation this month (FMP-NNL-0040) for the Safe Lithium-Ion Battery Development project.
Prototype development
This RFP is for development of a prototype only, and additional unit purchase are not guaranteed. The NNL is operated by Fluor Marine Propulsion LLC (FMP) in Schenectady, N.Y.
The battery must be able to maintain operations during and after a “credible casualty” of the battery system. The goal is to develop a battery that meets power demands safely.
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The battery must provide continuous operation and protection while a portion of the system is affected by a casualty of the battery or undergoing maintenance. Its usable energy storage capacity must be able to scale up to 2.4 megawatt-hours, and account for operating cycles and the expected calendar life of the system.
The battery must be able to operate continuously at a 1C rate, and operate continuously, even during a credible casualty to the battery.It must be able to fit within a space that measures 21 feet long by 10 feet wide by 6.5 feet tall.
Electrical safety
Government and military personnel must be able to perform maintenance on the battery, and its voltage interface range must be 210 to 355 volts DC, and be scalable to 1000 volts DC. Module voltage should be less than or equal to 50 volts for electrical safety.
The battery must last longer than eight years, and have more than 1000 cycles of service life. It must be able to self-charge using the host power bus, and must connect and disconnect an appropriately sized portion of the battery to the main system without affecting the main system.
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The battery must be no larger than 36 by 24 by 22 inches, weigh no more than 500 pounds, and operate in temperatures from 50 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Companies interested should email responses and questions no later than 7 April 2025 to Christopher Smith at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/9bb696c2464b4ae29b9ee55bb146d0f5/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
