NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York

The U.S. National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University, is building one of the nation's most comprehensive ecosystems for next-generation battery innovation, manufacturing and workforce development.

Through a network of more than 60 partners spanning universities, industry, manufacturers, startups, investors and workforce organizations, the NSF Energy Storage Engine is connecting research, technology commercialization, manufacturing and education to create jobs, expand U.S. supply chains and strengthen economic resilience and national security.

Region of service

The NSF Energy Storage Engine serves 27 counties across Western New York, Central New York, the Southern Tier and the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. This region has a strong legacy of innovation and manufacturing excellence and is home to leading research institutions as well as a growing network of energy storage startups, manufacturers and suppliers.

Addressing challenges in a key U.S. sector

Batteries underpin modern life, powering everything from consumer electronics and transportation to energy infrastructure, AI data centers and defense systems. Yet, the United States remains heavily reliant on foreign supply chains for critical materials and cell manufacturing. 

The Energy Storage Engine is addressing this challenge by building an ecosystem of partners across the battery value chain. Together, they are advancing energy storage solutions and expanding domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthening supply chain resilience, national security and American competitiveness.

Workforce development: Building Upstate New York's battery workforce

A strong battery industry depends on a skilled workforce capable of designing, manufacturing and maintaining advanced energy storage systems. The Energy Storage Engine is aligning universities, community colleges, K-12 institutions, workforce organizations and industry to an end-to-end talent pipeline.

These efforts include:

• Expanding the regional Energy Storage Workforce Development Network to align training across education providers at all skill levels and industries.
• Launching the Energy Storage Engine Scholars Initiative to support students from K-12 through university with aligned coursework, hands-on research experience, industry internships and mentorship.
• Investing $5 million in workforce development programs across community colleges, universities and nonprofits.
• Expanding hands-on training through shared testbeds, manufacturing facilities and industry partnerships.

Examples of recent impact

Since its launch, the Energy Storage Engine has generated measurable progress across technology development, workforce training and regional economic growth:

• More than 20 startups advanced energy storage technologies through commercialization programs and grants.
• $4 million+ was invested in advanced battery research and development and technology translation programs.
• 300+ learners were trained in energy storage skills through workforce and education initiatives.
• $15 million in equity capital was raised by an Energy Storage Engine core partnerand was made available to the Engine's ecosystem companies.
• $20 million in additional investments was raised by the Energy Storage Engine's SuperBoost grant awardee startups.

More than 175 jobs were created by Energy Storage Engine partners across the ecosystem in manufacturing, engineering and technology development.