Improving Energy Storage and Grid Capabilities

We enable and accelerate the development and adoption of new advanced technologies for power generation and energy efficiency. We work closely with academic, government and industry partners to conduct foundational and applied research that provides the groundwork for the development of transformative new energy technologies in the areas of energy storage and conversion, electrical grid, advanced materials for the energy infrastructure, science of manufacturing and water-energy nexus.

Broad Challenges We Face

Transportation

The transportation sector requires new technologies to keep up with growing demand.

The Electricity Grid

The centralized power grid needs to evolve to become more stable and reliable.

Water-Energy Nexus

The energy and water sectors are interdependent and both face significant strain from weather variability and natural disasters.

Science of Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector has enormous potential to contribute to energy savings and efficiency.

Our Research

Grid Integration

Working to reliably and securely modernize the electricity grid.

Energy Storage

Developing next-generation batteries that are safe and have high energy density, a long life and low cost.

Energy Conversion

Developing, advancing, and understanding the various technologies needed to minimize use of energy and maximize use of next-generation energy feedstocks.

Laser Technologies

Using novel sensors to identify the chemical makeup of materials in real-time.

Thermal Energy

Using a nano-to-macro understanding of heat to improve energy technologies.

Applied Energy Materials

Developing energy storage materials, solar energy materials and high performance materials.

Latest News

Berkeley Lab Leads Effort to Build AI Assistant for Energy Materials Discovery

Feb-03-26

Developing the lithium-ion battery took decades of research. A new multi-institutional project led by the Department of ... Read more

Accelerating Discovery: How the Materials Project Is Helping to Usher in the AI Revolution for Materials Science

Jan-13-26

In 2011, a small team at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) launched what w... Read more

Recent Publications

Chan, George C.-Y, and Gary M Hieftje."Improved signal stability in inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry through use of tandem spray chambers and surfactant addition."Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy 236 (2026) 107339. DOI

Garrett, Londrea J, Igor Jovanovic, and George C.-Y Chan."Spectral emission characteristics near 646 nm and plasma properties of laser-induced plasma of gaseous uranium hexafluoride."Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy 236 (2026) 107357. DOI

Stovall, T Nathan, Justin C Bui, Yifan Wu, Shujin Hou, Shannon W Boettcher, and Adam Z Weber."Electric-field enhanced water-dissociation catalysis on oxide surfaces."EES Catalysis (2026). DOI