New Energy New York (NENY) is an initiative that was awarded $113 million in 2022 as a winner of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, under the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency. It runs a variety of programs that can be suitable for anybody involved in the battery ecosystem, whether an entrepreneur seeking financial support and mentorship or a student looking for more clean tech experience. Its flagship project is Battery-NY, a first-of-its-kind battery prototyping facility that will allow companies to de-risk their prototype and improve technology readiness, all in the U.S.
Binghamton University leads three battery initiatives: New Energy New York, the Tech Hub and the U.S. National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York. These are place-based economic development initiatives, working together as a network to promote the sustainable research, commercialization, manufacturing and recycling of batteries throughout New York state.
The Tech Hub further expands upon NENY’s existing mission and works to address supply chain security, meet climate goals, and support manufacturers and innovators. Moreover, it aims to provide state-of-the-art training that can bolster and establish the next generation’s workforce. Meanwhile, the NSF Engine was part of the inaugural group of NSF Engines around the nation, heralding the most significant investment in place-based development in more than 100 years. It brings together a coalition of universities, businesses and agencies to support upstate New York’s economic growth and drive research and development.
Multiple stakeholders can get involved in Binghamton’s battery initiatives, depending on their interests and backgrounds. Combined, these initiatives offer various programs and opportunities for students, researchers, industry professionals, job seekers and the broader community. With NENY specifically, there are programs oriented for community members and local businesses, entrepreneurs and startups via ChargeUp Accelerator, or students via the Student Startup Experience — to name a few. For more specific information on what programs might be right for you, check out the NENY and NSF Energy Storage Engine webpages.
Funding for our battery initiatives is primarily sourced from federal grants, such as the Build Back Better Regional Challenge for NENY and the Tech Hub designation–both of which are sourced from the U.S. Economic Development Association , as well as the U.S. National Science Foundation. This funding is used for a variety of purposes, including generating jobs, standing up programs, awarding stipends to startups, creating a dedicated New York supply chain database for the industry, supporting college student internships, and funding research and pilot projects where companies can trial their products in real-world applications.
Batteries are crucial, not only in keeping our daily lives running smoothly, but also for storing energy during times of need. Because our world is increasingly demanding energy, between homes, devices, businesses, vehicles and other needs, the best and most sustainable way forward is to store energy and disperse it when required. For example, despite wind farms or solar panels being clean energy solutions, they wouldn’t be as effective without batteries that can maintain and give harvested power when needed.
Moreover, it’s imperative to ensure that the batteries we are using to store this energy are safe, whether they’re in our laptops or in our engines. Testing and certification remains a huge priority in our network, as well as efforts to research and develop batteries that are safer to human health in the first place. Having this technology researched, developed and manufactured here in New York not only creates jobs, but also ensures our national security by centering the entire industry in the U.S.
Place-based economic development focuses on a specific region to advance its industries or increase its population, workforce, average income, housing market, etc. The U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge program, which funds NENY and the Tech Hub, is one example of place-based development unique to New York.
Through place-based economic development efforts, research universities such as Binghamton University become leaders and partners with local industries and communities, offering the knowledge, talent and partnerships necessary to further bolster workforce, infrastructure and manufacturing. Centering these efforts in upstate New York will help transform the region into a leader in energy storage and battery manufacturing, revitalizing the area’s businesses, innovators and communities.
Since Binghamton University won its first designation as a Build Back Better Regional Challenge awardee under the U.S. Economic Development Agency in Fall 2022, the three battery initiatives have created 26 programs to help grow the industry right here in New York. Some examples of impactful projects include NENY’s novel supply chain database, as well as its efforts to support infrastructure and technological scaling through Battery-NY. In workforce development, more than 3,800 individuals have engaged with the initiatives’ training programs, while college students have received more than $1M in stipends to fund internships with promising clean tech and energy startups. Startups and local businesses can find critical mentorship, funding and support through the ChargeUp Accelerator and Technical Assistance Vouchers. Meanwhile, the general public has access to completely free resources in job training — including hands-on labs for budding battery technicians and free online courses with microcredential opportunities via Battery Academy.
Ultimately, Binghamton University’s battery initiatives utilize multiple avenues to approach the singular goal of uplifting New York’s battery ecosystem and economy. By meeting different employers, workers and community members’ needs, NENY, the Tech Hubs and NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York are working to give our generation’s innovators, entrepreneurs and learners the tools they need to seed a cleaner, more energy efficient future.