Battery Innovation Center Announces Request for Proposal (RFP) for Development of New Energy Storage Systems

Center to invest $2M in proofing new energy storage systems aimed at accelerating the entry of innovative products into the battery market

CRANE, Ind., Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the nation's energy demand continues to escalate and the growth of the battery and energy storage industry becomes increasingly critical, so does the development of new energy storage technologies. The Battery Innovation Center (BIC) – a non-profit consortium of organizations focused on the rapid development, testing and commercialization of safe and reliable energy storage systems – has announced a Request for Proposal (RFP) to address these challenges and expedite the technology development needed. Funded by a $2 million grant from the Department of Commerce, the BIC will offer its advanced lab and facilities to the selected technology developers, which will be announced in early 2014.

The BIC was awarded the 2012 Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency (EDA) I6 Challenge Grant to provide its unique laboratory facilities for prototyping, testing and evaluation, and certification for small businesses and entrepreneurs with emerging energy storage technologies. The BIC will solicit inputs from industry leaders across the country to find the best product/technologies with the greatest economic development potential for commercialization. The selected energy storage technologies will be "proofed" within the BIC lab and provide data detailing their potential impacts.

In addition to providing state-of-the art technology development support from world-class researchers, the BIC will enlist critical state-led organizations, local government initiatives, and a wide array of venture capital providers to support small businesses in conducting critical market surveys, business plan development, marketing strategy development, and obtaining access to state and local government financial incentives to further their acceleration into the market. Lastly, the BIC, as a consortium of industry leaders in energy storage, can provide new and developing companies with the critical partnerships in manufacturing needed to quickly get their ideas from the drawing board to customers' hands.

Organizations interested in submitting a proposal for the program may visit www.bicindiana.com for details on the submission process and eligibility requirements. The proposal deadline is January 3, 2014 with selections anticipated to be announced in February 2014.

About the Battery Innovation Center:
The Battery Innovation Center (BIC) is a unique public-private partnership and not-for-profit organization that incorporates leadership from world-class universities, commercial enterprises, and government organizations to focus on the rapid development, testing and commercialization of safe, reliable and lighter weight energy storage systems for commercial and defense organizations. Located adjacent to Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, the BIC provides both a virtual collaborative network of capabilities needed for development of next generation energy storage solutions as well as a new, state-of-the-art, $15.6 million energy research lab. Additional information is available at www.BICIndiana.com.

Contact: Julie Weber, Battery Innovation Center
Phone: 812.863.2424 Ext. 211 Email: [email protected]

Charles LaSota, Battery Innovation Center
Phone: 812.863.2424 Ext. 210 Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Battery Innovation Center