Focus of Effort to Advance Emission-Free High-Energy Electrochemical Systems to Electrify Transportation Sectors
North Haven, CT (July 9th, 2024) – Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) announced today that it has been selected for award by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of ARPA-E’s Pioneering Railroad, Oceanic and Plane ELectrification with 1K energy storage systems (PROPEL-1K) program, which aims to develop energy storage systems with “1K” technologies capable of achieving or exceeding gravimetric and volumetric energy density targets of 1000 Watt-hour per kilogram (Wh/kg) and 1000 Watt-hours per liter (Wh/L) respectively. To achieve program goals, PCI has assembled a team of experts in hydrogen storage, batteries, fuel cell materials, stack design, power/control electronics, system design, hybridization, packaging, manufacturing, and commercialization.
The transportation sector accounts for 29% of US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Exceptionally high gravimetric and volumetric energy density, fast transient response, high efficiency, and carbon-free fuel use are required for electrifying this sector and reducing GHG emissions. Current electrification solutions include batteries and H2-fueled low temperature fuel cells. However, these are cost, materials, energy density, and efficiency constrained. PCI will develop a progressive energy storage system via an efficient and advanced electrochemical device. Even the best battery chemistries can only enable ~0.5 kWh/kg. On the other hand, carbon-free fuels can have very high gravimetric energy densities. PCI’s concept pairs high energy density carbon-free fuels and an electrochemical microchip with a small battery buffer, power/control electronics, and balance of plant components to enable a highly efficient, fast start, and transient-tolerant energy storage/power generation system for MW-class machines that can realize >1 kWh/kg and >1kWh/L PROPEL goals.
Subir Roychoudhury, PCI’s VP of Research and Engineering stated, “Our approach integrates recent disruptive innovations to meet PROPEL goals of reducing energy-related emissions, improving efficiency, and meeting levelized cost of storage (LCOS) targets. PCI will build on our ongoing collaboration with potential users for fielding this carbon-free, energy-dense, cost-effective propulsion solution.”
Precision Combustion, Inc. is a clean energy and environmental technology company developing new reactors and systems for energy and environmental sector applications.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Anderson
Director, Marketing and Business Development
Email: aanderson@precision-combustion.com
