New Energy New York, America's Battery Tech Hub, Spearheads Groundbreaking $75 Million Proposal Bolstering Battery Innovation and Workforce with Expanded Industry Partnerships

This Spring, Binghamton University, in collaboration with a cross-sector consortium of 20 partners, led the submission of a proposal to grow the New Energy New York (NENY) initiative under the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) opportunity. As the federally designated Battery Tech Hub, the NENY consortium is requesting $63 million from the EDA, supported by a $12 million commitment from New York’s Empire State Development (ESD), culminating in an ambitious proposal to advance the battery and energy storage ecosystem in upstate New York’s Southern Tier region.

To support its vision, NENY has secured the 2022 EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) award, the 2023 federal Tech Hub designation, and the 2024 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines award. As the lead on these projects, Binghamton University is the only organization in the nation to receive all three recognitions, with unparalleled support from the U.S. Senate Majority leader Charles S. Schumer and his CHIPS and Science Act.
 

The NENY Tech Hub is designed to create an ecosystem that melds state-of-the-art technology development, advanced manufacturing, and comprehensive workforce development programs. Leveraging the Southern Tier’s unique assets, including the recent significant investments, this initiative promises to catalyze regional economic growth and innovation through five complementary component projects:

Governance and Community Engagement
Led by Binghamton University, this component underscores NENY's commitment to inclusive governance across its 20 consortium members and more than 50 partners, along with community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and equitable propagation of Tech Hub benefits. Partners Community Foundation of South Central New York and IncubatorWorks will implement programs to engage and support socially and economically disadvantaged populations across the region. "Binghamton University is at the forefront of this transformative initiative, not just as a participant, but as a driving force shaping the future of the Southern Tier and beyond. Through strong governance and collaborative partnerships, we are setting a new standard for how universities can catalyze regional growth and technological advancement," says Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger.
Workforce Development Programs
To support the industry and promote economic equity, these programs will provide access to training at multiple levels, building on the success of NENY Battery Academy, which has trained ~800 individuals since 2023. "By investing in our people, we're building the foundation for a sustainable, innovative future in the energy sector," notes Stacey Johnson, NENY director of workforce development, Binghamton University. Successful programs launched by NENY partners, such as the Broome-Tioga Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) New Energy Lab, a first-of-its-kind Career and Technical Education (CTE) program with a hands-on training lab, will be scaled and replicated across the region. "The BOCES New Energy Lab is a testament to our region's commitment to preparing the next generation for the future of energy" – Matt Sheehan, Director of Career and Technical Information, Broome-Tioga BOCES. New programs will also be launched in collaboration with industry partners, such as the training program under the planned energy storage expansion of BAE Systems in Endicott, NY.
Training and Innovation Center
Co-locating with the future BBBRC-supported NENY Battery-NY Center, a first-in-the-nation industry-scale battery prototyping center, this state-of-the-art facility will serve as a national hub for battery innovation and training, providing cutting-edge labs and facilities to serve as a collaborative nexus, fostering partnerships between startups, industry leaders, and aspiring professionals. "The Training and Innovation Center will be a hub of learning, creativity, and technological advancement, propelling the Southern Tier to the forefront of the battery industry," states Per Stromhaug, associate vice president of innovation and economic development and NENY Engine CEO, Binghamton University.
Technology Development and Maturation
Project partners Binghamton University, Cornell University, New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST), Bridge Green Upcycling, Raymond Corporation, and Koffman Southern Tier Incubator will work to catalyze the translation, de-risking, and maturation of battery technology innovations within startups and established companies. "Our commitment to technology development is about more than just innovation; it's about creating sustainable, high-value economic opportunities for our region," remarks M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor of chemistry, Binghamton University, and 2019 Nobel laureate inventor of the lithium-ion battery. Key project programs include the nation’s first battery and energy storage startup accelerator NENY ChargeUp, technical assistance vouchers, battery safety institute, and key battery testing infrastructure expansions at Binghamton and Cornell Universities. "Innovation is the lifeblood of the tech industry, and through this project, we're turning groundbreaking ideas into market-ready solutions that will define the future of energy storage," said Vice President for Research Krystyn Van Vliet, Cornell University.
NENY Technology Deployment and Supply Chain
Project partners Binghamton University, NY-BEST, The Agency (Broome County IDA), FuzeHub, Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology (AMT), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and The Clean Fight, will bolster the region's manufacturing capabilities, strengthen the domestic supply chain, catalyze first-of-a-kind energy storage demonstrations, and support manufacturers in scaling up energy storage product capacity. "Strengthening our manufacturing and supply chain is critical to ensuring the longevity and success of the regional and, more broadly, domestic battery industry," asserts Executive Director William Acker, NY-BEST. Key programs under this component project will provide technical manufacturing assistance, finance commercial deployments and manufacturing pilots, support site readiness and selection, and facilitate supply chain networking. These projects represent NENY's commitment to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable economic growth in upstate New York’s technology sector.

“Our consortium is integrating the unprecedented federal and state investments under BBBRC, NSF Engines, and Tech Hubs into a cohesive and comprehensive lab-to-market ecosystem of synergistic programs and resources to drive the future of energy storage for our communities and the nation,” said Olga Petrova, director of innovation and entrepreneurship partnerships, Binghamton University.

With strong partnerships and strategic investments, NENY is poised to lead the next wave of energy and technology advancements, benefiting communities across New York State and beyond.

Our Tech Hub Network

14 counties and 70+ partners in upstate New York include the Southern Tier of New York spanning Southern Tier West (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua Counties), Southern Tier Central (Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben), Southern Tier 8 (Broome, Tioga, Tompkins, Otsego, Cortland, Delaware, Schoharie, Chenango) Economic Development Districts, with partnerships across the state.