Pennsylvania state grant goes to develop bulk energy storage system

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In what it is calling an ambitious project and its largest battery system to date, International Battery will use an $800,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Department Authority (PEDA) to design, manufacture and test an 800 kilowatt-hour bulk energy storage system expandable to one megawatt. According to International Battery, the storage system will accommodate its large-format lithium batteries and battery management system, an inverter, and a control/communications system and it will all be housed in a 40-foot mobile container. IB will team with an inverter company on the project.

Quick Take: International Battery is headquartered in Pennsylvania, so with this grant the state is not only promoting renewable energy, but it is helping grow clean tech jobs close to home. But a word to the wise: As federal stimulus funds dry up, it may be worthwhile to look around for other sources of public money available to support smart grid projects.