Worcester’s Kinetic Batteries, LLC Receives $65K Grant for Innovation

Saturday, April 14, 2018
GoLocalWorcester Business Team

Governor Charlie Baker

Worcester’s Kinetic Batteries, LLC will receive $65,000 to develop a new lithium-ion battery electrode manufacturing process that simplifies electrode processing, reducing the costs, emissions, and energy consumption associated with battery manufacturing.

The money comes from grants distributed by Governor Charlie Baker for early-stage cleantech innovators.

“Central Massachusetts is a growing hub for the innovation and green economy. I am very proud to see Worcester’s own Kinetic Batteries recognized and awarded with this Catalyst grant to continue its great work,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler of Worcester.

The Funding

The funding comes from The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) Catalyst program and will support technical and commercial advancements for emerging clean energy technologies in North Oxford, Burlington, Worcester, Fall River, Cambridge, Lowell, and Arlington.

“Massachusetts is home to many hardworking entrepreneurs and researchers pursuing innovative clean energy solutions that will ensure the Commonwealth continues to lead the nation in energy efficiency. Through this funding, our administration is pleased to provide crucial support to these entrepreneurs as they contribute to the Commonwealth’s robust innovation economy while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change,” said Baker.

MassCEC is funded by the Renewable Energy Trust, which was created by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1998.

Clean Energy in MA

According to the 2017 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, the clean energy sector in Massachusetts has grown 81 percent since 2010 and employs 109,226 workers across the state.

The Massachusetts clean energy sector is an $11.4 billion industry, representing 2.3 percent of the state’s overall economy.

According to the report, Massachusetts is No. 1 in the United States for per capita early-stage clean energy venture investment, beating out California.

Other Awardees

Aclarity, LLC (North Oxford): An electrochemical water treatment device targeting the residential market that combats water quality issues at a competitive price

Boston Materials, LLC (Burlington): Development of a carbon fiber composite material that will enable the construction of lighter, larger, and more reliable wind turbine blades

Littoral Power Systems, Inc. (Fall River): A hydrokinetic energy device designed for low current applications

Takachar (Cambridge): A small-scale, decentralized biomass pre-processing system for use in agricultural or remote areas in developing economies

UMass Lowell (Lowell), Onur G. Apul, PhD: A microwave-based method for increasing biogas production at wastewater treatment facilities

Vata Verks (Arlington): An inexpensive water- and gas-usage measuring system to detect anomalies and leaks and enable sophisticated building energy management