Grid Storage Launchpad Project (2020 Transition)
Book 2 - Issue Papers |
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Entire 2020 DOE Transition book As of October 2020 |
Grid energy storage is a central element in modernizing the power grid and unlocking a broad array of economic and societal benefits. Further adoption of grid energy storage will require the accelerated development and testing of new energy storage technologies that are more cost-effective, safe, and durable. On November 20, 2018, the Office of Electricity (OE) approved a Mission Need Statement (MNS) that identified the following significant battery research and development (R&D) capability gaps within the Department of Energy (DOE) complex:
- Capability for independent testing and validation of next-generation energy storage materials, devices, and prototype systems under grid operating conditions.
- Characterization capabilities focused on technologies with grid applications capabilities.
- Integration of existing materials development capabilities and collaboration with industry and universities. In August 2019, OE determined that a new facility at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) would optimally address these gaps.[1]
Summary
The Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) Project will be a new, national grid-scale energy storage R&D facility that includes investments from the State of Washington, Battelle, and PNNL. Through independent testing and validation of grid energy storage technologies, the GSL will develop and promulgate rigorous grid performance standards and requirements that span the entire energy storage research and development (R&D) cycle, from basic materials synthesis to advanced prototyping. The GSL will focus on three outcomes to advance grid energy storage development:
Collaborate
By bringing together DOE, multidisciplinary researchers, and industry under one roof, the GSL will lower the barriers to innovation and deployment of grid-scale energy storage.
Validate
The facility will enable independent testing of next-generation grid energy storage materials and systems under realistic grid operating conditions.
Accelerate
From benchtop to systems, the facility will de-risk and speed the development of new technologies by propagating rigorous performance requirements along with all phases of R&D.
The facility will be approximately 85,000 gross square feet in size and will include approximately 35 laboratories and 150 workstations. The Total Project Cost of the Project is $77 million. The Project is anticipated to be completed by Quarter 2 of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, subject to appropriations.
Planning/Design Process
Before acquiring design and construction services, the GSL Project developed detailed performance specifications by touring and benchmarking six nationally-recognized battery testing facilities, including: DNV GL/New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY-BEST); CAR Technologies; General Motors; FM Global; Underwriters Laboratory; and the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.
Milestone(s)
As a line item acquisition, the project has been subject to several independent reviews, as noted below:
- Independent analysis of alternatives – completed in June 2019;
- Energy Systems Acquisition Advisory Board (ESAAB); Critical Decision (CD) 1 readiness – completed in August 2019;
- Head of Contracting Activity review of contracting package – May 2020; and
- Independent Project Review for Critical Decision 2/3 ESAAB – December 2020 (est.)
Formal DOE Process
The Project is subject to the requirements of DOE Order 413.3B, Program and Project Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets.[2] The Order establishes project management principles and processes with the goal of delivering projects within cost and schedule that are fully capable of meeting mission performance, safeguards & security, and environmental, safety, and health requirements. The project lifecycle is organized into project phases which are separated by Critical Decisions, which represent a project’s readiness to proceed from one phase to the next.
Major Decisions/Events
The next Critical Decision for the GSL is a combined CD-2/3, the (2) Approval of the Performance Baseline and (3) Start of Construction. Planned for Quarter 2 of FY21, CD-2/3 will accommodate the GSL Project design-build acquisition strategy.
Budget History and Planned Funding Profile
Planned Funding Profile:
Fiscal Year | FY2019(d) | FY2020(e) | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | Total($M) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OPC(a) | $1.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $0.0 | $1.0 | $2.0 |
TEC(b) | $0.0 | $5.0 | $40.0 | $30.0 | $0.0 | $75.0 |
TPC(c) | $1.0 | $5.0 | $40.0 | $30.0 | $1.0 | $77.0 |
a. Other Project Costs (OPC) includes Conceptual Design and Pre-Operations. For the GSL, OPC is funded through PNNL overhead.
b. TEC Construction includes preliminary and final designs, construction, project management, and other costs not captured in OPC.
c. TPC includes TEC Project Engineering and Design, TEC Construction, and OPC.
d. FY2019 and FY2020 numbers reflect actual amounts. FY2020 numbers reflect $1m in appropriated funds and $4m in reprogrammed funds
e. FY2020 numbers reflect $1m in appropriated funds and $4m in reprogrammed funds
In addition to OE line item funding for the facility acquisition, PNNL and others are committing resources to leverage the DOE investment: $15 million of Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) for catalysis research, $8 million from the State of Washington for state-of-the-art research equipment, $7 million from PNNL for general research equipment, and $5 million from the Battelle Memorial Institute.
See also
References
- ↑ Critical Decision 1
- ↑ Available at, https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0413.3-BOrder-b.