Request For Information on Rethinking Energy Storage Technologies for Planes, Trains & Ships “Battery 1k” | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) issued this notice as a Request for Information (RFI) titled "Request For Information on Rethinking Energy Storage Technologies for Planes, Trains & Ships 'Battery 1k'" (Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0002972). It is not a grant competition and it is not seeking applications for funding. Instead, ARPA-E is gathering technical input to help decide whether and how to shape a future ARPA-E research program. Because it is only an RFI, there is no award amount, no expected number of awards, and no financial assistance available under this notice.

The core idea behind "Battery 1k" is to explore energy storage technologies that can reach a step-change in performance: a specific energy at or above 1000 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). ARPA-E emphasizes that it is especially interested in concepts that do not look like incremental extensions of today’s mainstream battery approaches or near-term industry roadmaps. The intent is to surface genuinely transformative, implementable options that could make electrification feasible for transportation sectors that are hard to electrify with current lithium-ion batteries. The agency frames this as an effort to unlock exceptionally high-energy storage solutions that could catalyze broad electrification across aviation, rail, maritime, and potentially heavy trucking.

ARPA-E lays out why these sectors require a different "playbook" than the one used for personal electric vehicles. Many consumer EV batteries spend most of their time parked and either idle or charging slowly, and the battery system typically lives in a contained pack that is recharged by plugging in. By contrast, the energy storage systems for aircraft, trains, ships, and long-haul trucks may need to operate continuously for long periods, be refueled or recharged or otherwise reset very quickly, and deliver exceptional longevity under demanding duty cycles. The RFI suggests that when you take those requirements seriously, conventional assumptions about what the storage system looks like, how it is bounded physically, and even what counts as "the battery" may need to change.

The opportunity highlights target use-cases to clarify the kind of impact ARPA-E is aiming for. In aviation, a "Battery 1K" capability is framed as potentially enabling regional flights for aircraft carrying up to about 100 people, where weight is often the dominant constraint and gravimetric energy density becomes critical. For rail, the concept is positioned around enabling cross-country travel in the United States with fewer stops and less dependence on extensive charging or refueling infrastructure, implying both high onboard energy and rapid turnaround. Maritime applications are described as diverse, but ARPA-E notes that higher energy density expands the set of vessels and routes that could be electrified. For trucks, the notice acknowledges that electrification strategies already exist, but argues that a 1000 Wh/kg-class solution could extend range and increase payload capacity, making battery-electric options more competitive for heavier duty cycles.

Beyond the headline 1000 Wh/kg metric, the RFI also points to volumetric energy density as an important consideration depending on the platform. It notes that an energy storage system delivering around 1000 Wh/kg and 2000 Wh/L would represent more than a threefold improvement over state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery solutions, and it implies that performance at that level (or comparable system-level benefit) may be necessary to electrify the targeted sectors. The notice also explicitly invites rethinking constraints that are often taken as fixed, including operating temperature windows, the role of fuels versus oxidizers (hinting at chemistries or architectures beyond classic sealed rechargeable cells), and the physical boundaries of the energy storage system. The theme is not just "think outside the box," but question whether there needs to be a box at all.

Administratively, ARPA-E lists eligibility for providing input as unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any clarifications in the full RFI). Responses were requested in PDF format and were to be submitted by email to ARPA-E-RFI@hq.doe.gov by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on March 8, 2023. The full RFI was made available through ARPA-E's funding opportunity site (arpa-e-foa.energy.gov). Although the notice references cooperative agreements as the typical funding instrument ARPA-E uses, that detail is informational here since the document itself is strictly an RFI meant to shape a potential future program rather than fund work immediately.

Browse more business programs for Energy Storage Services

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Opportunity Zone Benefits, Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Next opportunity: Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) Public Perception Assessment

Previous opportunity: DRL FY2022: Empowering marginalized racial and ethnic communities in Europe, including people of African descent and Roma people.

USGrants.org Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for DE FOA 0002972

 

[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002972) also looked into and applied for these:

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Subscribe to Leads

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0002972", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.