Blumenthal, Murphy, DeLauro Announce $2.5 Million for Wallingford’s Proton Energy to Develop Ultra Efficient Battery
(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-3) announced today that the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Wallingford’s Proton Energy $2.5 million to develop a highly-efficiency hydrogen-iron flow battery capable of generating hydrogen to power fuel cells while also storing energy on the electric grid. The battery can be recharged either using grid electricity or through exposure to sunlight.
The award was among 41 announced this week totaling $125 million by the DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
“Connecticut is at the forefront of our nation’s efforts to secure a clean energy future, developing cutting edge technologies to generate and store renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and help combat climate change. This award, one of only 41 granted nationwide, is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity we have come to know and expect from Proton Energy,” said Blumenthal.
“Connecticut companies have always led the way in developing new technologies that improve energy efficiency and protect our environment,” said Murphy. “For 18 years, Proton Onsite has raised the bar by exporting clean energy solutions across the globe, and I’m thrilled that DOE is recognizing their extraordinary contributions. Congratulations to the entire Proton Onsite team.”
“Proton OnSite has long been a leader in the alternative energy industry. If we are to move beyond our dependence on fossil fuels, we need to invest in the research and development efforts supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Open 2015 program.” said DeLauro. “The award of this funding is recognition of Proton’s groundbreaking work and further testament to their innovative spirit. I am proud to join my colleagues in congratulating Robert Freidland and his team on their continued success.”
“We are honored to have been chosen by ARPA-E for this prestigious award. Proton is committed to finding dynamic solutions that meet our country’s most challenging energy problems. This award allows us to leverage resources that will help broaden our expertise in high-impact energy technologies and will serve as a platform to support Proton as we achieve such goals.” Robert Friedland, President and CEO, Proton Energy Systems.”
“The ARPA-E projects selected today highlight how American ingenuity can spur innovation and generate a wide range of technology options to address our nation’s most pressing energy issues,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in a DOE press release announcing the awards. “As we look beyond COP21, the energy technologies the Department of Energy invests in today will provide the solutions needed to combat climate change and develop a global low-carbon economy in the future.”
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