Briefs: Solid-State Batteries and Infrastructure Upgrades

Solid-state battery technology is steadily moving forward toward commercialization. Donut Lab has released another test verifying its solid-state battery’s efficiency, and ION Storage System is ready to begin production. Meanwhile, power grid and transmission infrastructure are about to undergo significant upgrades and expansions, on both local and nationwide levels.

Solid-state batteries and grid infrastructure.

Donut Lab Tests Its Solid-State Cells in Battery Pack

Donut Lab has tested the charging efficiency of its solid-state battery cell within an 18 kWh battery pack in the Verge TS Pro electric motorcycle. Until now, the company’s tests have focused on a single battery cell.

The SSB battery pack charged three times faster than the lithium-ion battery packs the Verge had previously used.

A Verge motorcycle charging its Donut Lab battery pack. Image used courtesy of Donut Lab

The test demonstrated that the pack sustained a peak charging power of over 100 kW at a 5C charging rate. It charged from 10% to 50% in 5 minutes, from 10% to 70% in 9 minutes, and from 10% to 80% in 12 minutes.

During the test, the motorcycle used a public fast charger. The ambient temperature was 20°C. Donut Lab stated that the test shows the thermal stability of the air-cooled battery pack.

Donut Labs will begin production of the 18 kWh pack for e-motorcycles soon. The company is planning a 30 kWh pack, which could offer up to 600 km (370 miles) of range.

ION Storage Systems Move Forward In SSB Production Plans

Maryland-based ION Storage Systems is proceeding with its plan to produce its Cornerstone solid-state battery cells following a successful customer qualification. ION states its battery is the first in the U.S. to achieve this milestone.

The company shipped samples of Cornerstone to industrial and automotive companies late last summer.

ION states that the battery is now ready to move from the “laboratory prototype” phase into “commercial readiness.”

Cornerstone solid-state battery. Image used courtesy of ION Storage Systems

The Cornerstone uses a compressionless solid-state architecture without anodes. The design aims to reduce the need for bulky pressure systems, enabling higher energy density and greater safety. Without the liquid electrolyte used in conventional lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries offer better high-temperature stability and lower flammability risks.

The company plans to eventually develop batteries for EVs, but will focus first on smaller technologies.

Production will begin this year at ION’s Beltsville, Maryland facility, after it is expanded and equipped with high-volume sintering furnaces.

DOE Allots $1.9B in Funding for ‘Urgently Needed’ Grid Updates

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity has opened $1.9 billion in funding opportunities for “urgently needed” power grid upgrades. Selected projects for funding will demonstrate ways to deliver fast, durable grid upgrades to handle increasing energy demand.

The project is dubbed Speed to Power through Accelerated reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades—or more simply, SPARK.“Reconducting” refers to replacing existing power lines with higher-capacity conductors and other advanced transmission technologies. Projects may target grid resilience, smart grids, or grid innovations.

The Office of Electricity’s plan for grid modernization. Image used courtesy of DOE

Applicants should submit concept papers by April 2, with full applications due on May 20. DOE will select funded projects in August. Information is available at the SPARK website.

PPL Plans Over 55 Grid Projects in Multi-Year Plan

PPL Electric Utilities, which services 29 counties in central and eastern Pennsylvania, will launch more than 55 large-scale grid projects in 2026.

Power transmission poles and wires. Image used courtesy of PPL

Projects will include:

• Expanding smart grid technologies to detect problems and restore power in case of outages
• Replacing aging underground cables
• Replacing hundreds of miles of overhead poles and wires
• Relocating and adding new underground power lines to add resiliency during extreme weather
• Proactive tree-trimming along over 4,750 miles of power lines

The projects are part of PPL’s multi-year grid modernization plan. The utility has committed $8 billion to infrastructure improvements.