Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland was picked
Friday as part of a new batteries and energy research hub that
will bring together the nation's top expertise on the subject.
"This is a partnership between world-leading scientists and
world-leading companies, committed to ensuring that the advanced
battery technologies the world needs will be invented and built
right here in America," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a
statement. The Department of Energy is investing $120 million in
the new Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, which will be
based at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. The state of
Illinois will provide $35 million to construct a home for the
project. PNNL will receive $15 million during five years to
spend on materials science research and to develop scientific
tools that others also can use. It's one of five national
laboratories, five universities and four private firms in the
joint center. "Energy storage is a transformational technology
that can help bring new cle