NC State College of Engineering Battery and Energy Storage Systems Initiative

NC State’s College of Engineering drives innovation in battery science and engineering. In response to North Carolina’s growth in the energy sector, we are advancing our research in battery and energy systems, developing new courses and curricula to prepare the next generation of engineers, and supporting regional economic development and national energy initiatives.

Our mission is to become the premier center for battery and energy storage systems engineering, teaching, and research in the state of North Carolina.

Why Batteries?

image of set of CR format batteries on blue charging unit

Batteries are a critical technology for powering portable electronics and electric transportation modes, as well as for the electrification of the power grid using battery energy storage systems
Urgent need to improve security of battery material supply chains and increase domestic production
The battery industry is growing in North Carolina, and the state leads the U.S. in the production of lithium minerals

Our Approach

As the flagship STEM campus of the UNC System, NC State takes a holistic approach towards battery science and engineering research and innovation, leveraging the strength of faculty expertise from 12 departments across three of the university’s colleges.

Veronica Augustyn, left, looks on as a research assistant explains test results on a computer.

College of Engineering Battery and Energy Storage Systems Committee

Veronica Augustyn, Materials Science and Engineering
Co-Chair
Peter Fedkiw, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Co-chair
Nina Balke, Materials Science and Engineering
Srdjan Lukic, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Susmita Sarkar, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Xiangwu Zhang, Textile Engineering
Cheryl Xu, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Participating Faculty

View participating engineering faculty and learn about their individual areas of research focus.

View Faculty

Resources

Analytical Instrumentation Facility

The Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) is NC State’s primary shared facility for materials characterization with a mission to enable and lead state-of-the-art research.

FREEDM Center

The FREEDM Center is focused on buidling the internet of energy: a network of distributed energy resources that intelligently manages power using secure communications and advanced power electronics.

NC Clean Energy Technology Center

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center seeks to advance a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating, and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies.

NC State Electrochemical Society Student Chapter

The mission of The Electrochemical Society is to advance theory and practice at the forefront of electrochemical and solid state science and technology, and allied subjects.

man standing behind a podium on an elevated platform, left, speaking to a large group of seated people in a long and open meeting space

Powering Up the COE’s Battery Initiative

The inaugural NC State Battery and Energy Storage Systems Symposium brought together faculty, researchers, industry partners and students to explore emerging applications in batteries and energy-storage technologies.

Someone holds an electric bandage that reflects the red light behind it.

Battery-Powered Bandages Could Become a Simpler and More Affordable Treatment for Chronic Wounds

Thanks to DARPA and ASSIST’s support, researchers developed an electric bandage that healed chronic wounds 30% faster than conventional bandages in tests on diabetic mice.

AIF Expands with Enhanced In Situ and Operando Electrochemistry Capabilities

AIF’s new electrochemical X-ray diffraction (ec-XRD) and electrochemical scanning transmission electron microscopy (ec-STEM) platforms provide unprecedented insights into the structural and electrochemical evolution of materials driven by electrochemistry.

Digital image of a cylindrical battery integrated into a circuit board. The battery and circuit board a lit a low blue light surrounded by gray and black at the edges.

North Carolina State University Joins National Energy Innovation Hub, Boosting Battery Research

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $62.5 million grant supporting a new energy research hub involving 15 research institutions, including North Carolina State University, to advance sustainable and economical electrochemical energy storage for electric grids.

States consider cost allocation for grid upgrades and use of grid-enhancing technologies

The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q3 2024 edition of The 50 States of Grid Modernization. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on grid modernization, utility business model and rate reforms, energy storage, microgrids, and demand response.

Staff, faculty and students throw wolfies in front of new battery energy storage system on Centennial Campus.

Battery-Powered Savings on Centennial Campus

NC State’s Centennial Campus now benefits from an energy boost with the introduction of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located near Partners I Building. As utility rates climb, this type of energy storage is a critical component of NC State’s utility infrastructure, providing cost savings, bolstering reliability and enhancing grid resiliency.