Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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February 23, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 23, 2024
Contact: Michiganinfrastructure@michigan.gov
Department of Energy Awards $1 Million to Ann Arbor Company to Develop High-Energy Storage Solutions to Electrify Domestic Aircraft
Funding will advance clean energy technologies, help Michigan reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2040
LANSING, Mich.— The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) today announced the Biden Administration has awarded $1,117,000 to Ann Arbor company Propel Aero and its High Energy Redox Engine technology through the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). Funded through the Pioneering Railroad, Oceanic and Plane Electrification with 1K energy storage systems (PROPEL-1K) program, the funding will advance the development of high-energy storage solution to electrify domestic aircraft and help Michigan reach its goal to be carbon-neutral by 2040.
“Investments in electric aircraft can reduce greenhouse emissions, improve performance in the air travel sector and drive growth in high-paying research, design, and manufacturing jobs.” said Zachary Kolodin, the state’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the MIO. “This funding, made possible by President Biden and our congressional delegation, will help us create a cleaner transportation ecosystem that will allow Michiganders and visitors to safely use our state’s airports and enjoy our natural resources for generations.”
"This is yet another example of our commitment to advancing the future of mobility innovation by building the aviation engine of the future right here in Michigan,'" said Justine Johnson, the state’s Chief Mobility Officer and head of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. "We're propelling our future forward through innovative investments that create jobs, improve the travel experience, and lower the cost of transportation."
Propel Aero was one of 12 projects across the country selected to receive a combined $15 million to advance next-generation, high-energy storage solutions to help accelerate the electrification of the aviation, railroad, and maritime transportation sectors. Projects will develop energy storage systems with “1K” technologies capable of achieving or exceeding 1000 Watt-hour per kilogram (Wh/kg) and 1000 Watt-hour per liter (Wh/L), which is greater than four times energy density improvement compared to current technologies.
“It’s a true honor to be selected by ARPA-E, and we are eager to use this award to push the frontiers of battery performance to enable electric aviation” said Propel Aero co-founders, Yet-Ming Chiang and Venkat Viswanathan.
The selections represent the first phase of an expected two-phase program. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in 18 months following contract completion. If successful, PROPEL-1K technologies will electrify regional flights traveling as far as 1,000 miles with up to 100 people, all North American railroads, and all vessels operating exclusively in U.S. territorial waters.
Michigan leads the Midwest in number of clean energy workers. The 2023 Clean Jobs America Report stated that clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022 and now employ 123,983 Michiganders. According to the World Resource Institute, by the year 2040, the state could create 41,000 new jobs as it advances electric vehicle manufacturing and with the build-out of renewable energy, like solar and wind.
For more information about the Michigan Infrastructure Office, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The MIO is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.
Author:
Michigan Infrastructure Office