Advanced Battery Concepts wins DOE backing for Traverse City storage project

Advanced Battery Concepts said the U.S. Department of Energy has given final funding approval for a 1.15 MW battery storage system at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy headquarters in Traverse City, Michigan. The project pairs existing solar with Michigan-built lead battery storage and is targeted for installation and commissioning in the second quarter of 2027.

Why it matters: - The project links solar generation with battery storage at a land conservancy whose mission centers on natural resource protection. - Advanced Battery Concepts says the system is meant to show how domestic manufacturing, energy resilience and recyclability can work together in one commercial-scale installation. - The project adds another example of Michigan-based energy storage entering the domestic supply chain.

What happened: - Advanced Battery Concepts said the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy energy storage project received final funding approval from the U.S. Department of Energy. - The system will be installed at GTRLC's headquarters in Traverse City, Michigan. - The battery storage system will have a capacity of 1.15 MW. - The project will complement GTRLC's existing 185 kW solar photovoltaic system. - The project is supported through Congressionally Directed Spending administered by the U.S. Department of Energy. - DOE describes the project as a “Solar Energy Demonstration Using Domestically Sourced, and Michigan-built, 100 Percent Reusable Commercial-Scale Lead Battery.”

The details: - The storage system will use ABC's patented GreenSeal® bipolar lead battery technology. - The system will be housed in three commercial-scale BOX-BE™ energy storage enclosures. - GreenSeal® is designed to reduce lead use compared with conventional lead batteries. - ABC says the technology keeps the recyclability, safety and domestic supply-chain advantages of lead battery chemistry. - The system will store solar-generated energy for use when needed. - ABC says the installation will demonstrate how renewable generation and commercially scalable storage can work together. - ABC says the project also highlights Michigan's role in the domestic energy storage supply chain. - ABC's battery technology was developed and manufactured in Michigan.

Between the lines: - The project is aimed at a customer with environmental credibility, which gives the installation value as a public demonstration site. - A reusable lead-battery system positions ABC differently from lithium-based storage suppliers, with a pitch centered on recyclability and domestic sourcing. - The DOE funding signal may help validate the technology for other commercial-scale deployments.

What's next: - The project has moved into procurement and manufacturing. - Installation and commissioning are targeted for the second quarter of 2027. - Advanced Battery Concepts says the project could serve as a model for similar applications across the country. - ABC says it has more than 80 issued patents and additional patent applications covering battery design, manufacturing and energy storage applications. - More information is available at the company's website.