About Us

Overview

The Energy Storage Group at UC San Diego’s Center for Energy Research (CER) is at the forefront of advancing energy storage technologies.

As part of an Organized Research Unit dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration, we bridge the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world application. Founded in 2012, we have worked on over 40 projects, partnering with startups, global corporations, and government agencies to develop and validate cutting-edge energy storage solutions.

Energy storage is key to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy, supporting grid reliability, and advancing electrified transportation. Our mission is to develop and test storage solutions that accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. Our work spans a diverse range of technologies including advanced lithium and sodium-ion battery chemistries, flow batteries, thermal energy storage, second-life EV batteries, and direct air capture (DAC) systems.

Mission

To accelerate the development and deployment of energy storage systems through rigorous research, real-world testing, and collaboration with industry partners.

Vision

A future where energy storage enables a cleaner, more reliable, and more efficient global energy system.

Our Research Approach

Our work focuses on three core areas:

Advancing New Technologies

Collaborating with academic and private sector researchers to accelerate the testing and adoption of new battery chemistries and storage solutions.

System Integration and Testing

Scaling up emerging technologies, validating their performance, and ensuring they are ready for commercial deployment.

Real-World Demonstrations

Using UC San Diego's state-of-the-art facilities and 55MW microgrid to interconnect and deploy energy storage systems in real world scenarios.

Our Research Areas

We focus on key challenges in energy storage, including:

Battery Chemistry & Performance

Evaluating lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and flow batteries to improve efficiency, safety, and lifespan.

Second-Life Battery Applications

Repurposing EV batteries for stationary storage to enhance sustainability.

Thermal Energy Storage

Developing systems to store and release heat efficiently for grid and industrial applications.

Carbon Dioxide Removal & Direct Air Capture (DAC)

Validating carbon dioxide removal technologies to increase CO2 capture efficiency and lower energy consumption.

Grid Integration & Control Systems

Designing advanced microgrid controls, smart inverters, and real-time forecasting to optimize storage deployment.

Safety & Reliability Testing

Conducting rigorous assessments to enhance storage system safety, performance, and longevity.

Our History

UC San Diego has been a leader in energy storage research since 2012, aligning with California’s push for renewable energy and grid modernization.

Key milestones include:

Establishment of the Energy Storage Research Group under CER.

2012

2015

Installation of a 2.5 MW / 5 MWh lithium-ion battery system, the largest in Southern California at the time. Learn more

Expansion of Energy Storage Innovation Facilities enhancing research and testing capabilities.

2020

Present

Researching next-generation battery chemistries, energy storage systems, direct air capture (DAC), and energy sector decarbonization.

For a deeper look at our milestones, key projects, and the evolution of our research, visit our History Page.

Learn More

Join Us in Advancing Energy Storage

We are committed to setting new safety standards and ensuring the responsible development of energy technologies. Interested in collaborating? Contact us to explore research opportunities and industry partnerships.

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