Battery Pilot Manufacturing Line Program

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is offering grant funding through its Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Program under the solicitation GFO-24-304 to establish a battery pilot manufacturing line in California. This pilot line must be capable of producing and testing advanced lithium-ion battery technologies and is intended to facilitate the commercialization of battery innovations, support clean energy entrepreneurship, and advance the state’s clean energy goals. The solicitation falls under EPIC’s “Scaling Clean Energy Technology” initiative and seeks to enable rapid prototyping and scaling of battery technologies that can help meet the state’s energy storage needs. The solicitation will fund a shared-use battery manufacturing facility that supports emerging lithium-ion technologies, with a focus on producing pouch and cylindrical cells, including those with advanced components like lithium metal anodes, silicon anodes, novel electrolytes, and emerging cathode chemistries. The funded pilot line must include equipment and staff capable of end-to-end cell fabrication and testing and must be located in a disadvantaged or low-income community. In addition to manufacturing, the facility must engage in workforce development in partnership with academic institutions and labor organizations. Eligible applicants are private nonprofit organizations, and the project team must include both a labor organization and an academic institution. For-profit entities, universities, national labs, and utilities may serve as subrecipients. Applications must demonstrate at least 20% in matching funds and should reflect a significant benefit to IOU (Investor-Owned Utility) ratepayers. Projects must fall under the “market facilitation” stage and emphasize community benefits, workforce development, and partnerships with local and state entities like Lithium Valley initiatives. The solicitation was released on January 28, 2025. A pre-application workshop will be held on February 7, 2025, and written questions are due by February 14, 2025. Final applications must be submitted via the ECAMS portal by April 4, 2025, at 11:59 PM. The anticipated notice of proposed award will be issued during the week of May 19, 2025, with grant agreements expected to start in August 2025 and conclude by March 31, 2029. All applicants must adhere to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and submit required documentation for review. Applications must be complete and submitted through the ECAMS system. Multiple attachments, including a project narrative, budget, scope of work, and CEQA compliance form, are required. Failure to comply with submission requirements or provide necessary information may result in disqualification. Applicants may only submit one proposal for this solicitation. For technical support related to ECAMS, applicants may contact ECAMS.SalesforceSupport@energy.ca.gov. For general or administrative questions, applicants should reach out to Brad Worster, the Commission Agreement Officer, at brad.worster@energy.ca.gov.