The UW Clean Energy Institute (CEI) held an event last Friday at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds to celebrate the launch of their new open-access battery lab, which is set to open in the summer of 2025. The new lab will allow for scaled prototyping of emerging battery technologies and will help drive innovation to meet the demand for batteries in Washington and beyond.
Elected officials, including Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Joe Nguyen, were in attendance along with climate tech and community leaders, climate researchers, and media. CEI Director Dan Schwartz opened the event by sharing his enthusiasm for the lab’s promise to advance research and development in transformative technologies for industries like transportation, as well as the educational opportunities it will provide.
Governor Inslee and Senator Nguyen then took the opportunity to speak. Governor Inslee emphasized that the Testbeds and the new lab will foster the development of next-generation clean tech that will improve our lives while also training people across the state for careers in clean tech and battery engineering. Meanwhile, Senator Nguyen highlighted that expanding clean energy resources bolsters Washington’s economy and paves the way for a more sustainable, healthier future.
Following this, the attendees gathered downstairs for a tour of the Testbeds. They viewed a battery demonstration and visited the labs and tools used by students in the College of Engineering’s Battery Engineering Graduate Certificate program. This program is designed for working professionals in the engineering field to grow their understanding of battery manufacturing and storage. As the need for renewable and clean energy expands, CEI is helping to train Washington’s future workforce to meet these needs.
The Testbeds and new battery lab would not be possible without state support. The state invested $7.5 million from the Climate Commitment Account into the new 1,600-square-foot lab.
Thank you, Governor Inslee and Senator Nguyen, for your ongoing support of CEI.
Photo Credit: Kerry Dahlen for UW CEI