California Zinc-ion Energy Storage Development and Validation Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020080142
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
California Zinc-ion Energy Storage Development and Validation Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/11/2020
Document Description
The Project will develop, field test, and validate Salient Energy's zinc-ion battery prototype for applications on the customer side of the meter. Salient Energy has developed a non-lithium-ion battery for residential applications that is less expensive, safer, and longer lasting than lithium-ion batteries. The proposed Project will advance the technology in California from the pre-commercial stage to the technology demonstration stage. Using the current cell design, Salient Energy will produce a larger format cell design. Salient Energy is partnering with Electric Applications Inc. for third party testing and validation. During third party validation, Salient Energy will design, assemble and integrate the zinc-ion cells into a residential energy storage system at its facility in Oakland, California. The integrated pilot-scale system will then be validated in a relevant environment with UC San Diego's (UCSD) Smart Inverter/DER Test Lab. The UCSD lab will simulate residential load and applications to fully test and validate a complete zinc-ion battery storage system, achieving TRL 6. With the support of funding from the California Energy Commission, Salient Energy will move its testing, validation, and eventual manufacturing to California, which will provide economic benefits, including job growth, for IOU ratepayers, as well as accelerate the deployment of non-lithium-ion energy storage in California and beyond.
Contact Information
Name
Joseph Sit
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Agency Name
Salient Energy Inc.
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
La Jolla, Oakland
Counties
Alameda, San Diego
Regions
Northern California, Southern California
Zip
94621
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15306
Reasons for Exemption
The project involves development, testing, and validation of a zinc-ion battery prototype. The development and assembly will take place at an existing facility for hardware developers in Oakland. The testing and validation will be performed at existing laboratories at the University of California, San Diego Campus. (Design and certification activities may also take place in Canada.) The project consists of the operation of these existing public or private facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. Therefore, this project is exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301, Existing Facilities. In addition, the project involves data collection and research, which would not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Therefore, this project is exempt under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15306, Information Collection.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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