Advanced Battery & Energy Storage Incentives and Development Programs
Michigan’s strategy for building the domestic battery industry has created long-term advantages that support continued growth:
- Industry Anchor Companies: Michigan’s success in launching the domestic advanced battery industry has made it the hub of the domestic battery industry. State advanced battery credits total $1 billion to date, along with the U.S. Department of Energy’s $1.36 billion award. This unprecedented package built the foundation of “magnet” manufacturers in battery cell & pack manufacturers and advanced battery & vehicle engineering that attracted the industry value chain.
- Workforce Development: Michigan invested millions to support industry investments in the engineering workforce needed to design, test and deploy the next generation of advanced battery technologies. The state also invested in creation of the Advanced Battery Coalition for Drivetrains lab, a partnership between the University of Michigan and General Motors for advanced battery simulation and testing. And, Michigan launched the Green Jobs Initiative designed to help make sure the emerging industries and green economy have the trained workers they need to grow and prosper. A major part of this initiative is the Michigan Academy for Green Mobility Alliance (MAGMA), a collaborative effort of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth and automotive manufacturers.
- Sector Networks: Michigan’s extensive network and industry relationships offer unmatched access to diverse markets and resources. A great example is the state’s partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its experts in advanced materials for storing alternative energy, which gives Michigan’s advanced battery community a “collaboration conduit” to the entire national lab system.
Michigan Advanced Battery and Energy Storage Partners and Supporting Organizations:
- NextEnergy: Michigan’s non-profit agency that is the research catalyst and business accelerator for alternative and renewable energy.
- Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth: Promotes job creation and economic growth by centralizing and streamlining the state’s job development, workforce development and economic development activities.
- University Research Corridor: An alliance between Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University to transform, strengthen and diversify the state’s economy by collaborative invention, innovation and technology transfer, educating a workforce prepared for the knowledge economy and attracting smart and talented people to Michigan.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratories: Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL), one of several national labs, was created to solve scientific problems that require facilities and resources beyond the reach of most universities and private industry. As America’s largest energy lab, ORNL tackles the big challenges of critical importance to America’s energy future. ORNL is a world leader in the development and manufacture of new materials and process for advanced manufacturing. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) alliance with ORNL fosters collaboration between Michigan’s universities, businesses, and the Department of Energy by drawing on the laboratory’s extensive experience in turning breakthrough scientific research into tomorrow’s products – a cycle better known as commercialization and technology transfer. The alliance also helps to match up companies with commercial opportunities in the growing alternative energy sector, funding opportunities, as well as opportunities at other national laboratories.
- TARDEC: As home to the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development & Engineering Center (TARDEC), Michigan is uniquely positioned to develop and supply domestic batteries to military markets.
- SmartZones™: Michigan’s SmartZones and their Business Incubators help high-tech companies incubate and commercialize products, including access to pre-seed funding.
- Center for Advanced Vehicle Design and Simulation: Eaton Corp. and Western Michigan University testing lab focusing on hybrid drive systems for commercial and military vehicles.
Coupling the world’s leading transportation research and manufacturing infrastructure with a strategic plan to support the creation of a domestic advanced battery industry, Michigan has successfully positioned itself to become the global capital for vehicle electrification and battery technology. Firms that are first to develop cost-effective, low-weight, long-life technologies will be the power leaders in this global economy.
