The inaugural Battery Week, orchestrated by the New Energy New York (NENY) initiative and overseen by Binghamton University, recently concluded its successful run from October 13 through October 17. This significant week-long gathering served as a pivotal forum, effectively bringing together influential leaders from both academia and the private sector who are dedicated to shaping the future energy landscape within the Southern Tier region. The event officially kicked off on October 13 at Oakdale Commons, where innovators, sector executives, and policymakers reviewed tangible examples of how cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs are being successfully translated into deployable, real-world technologies, setting a high standard for regional collaboration.
Emily Marino, the Deputy Director of NENY, emphasized that the core value of this comprehensive program extends far beyond merely advancing university research. Crucially, she noted, the initiative involves directly injecting investment capital and creating vital new job opportunities for local communities. The schedule for Battery Week was packed with informative and interactive activities. For instance, on October 14, the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator hosted an electric vehicle demonstration, featuring test drives of cars manufactured by Lucid, allowing the public to directly experience the results of cutting-edge innovation firsthand.
The regional surge in energy innovation and manufacturing capacity is underpinned by substantial and strategic financial commitments from both state and federal sources. Significant funding totaling $113 million was secured in September 2025, specifically earmarked for expanding battery manufacturing initiatives across the area. This latest achievement builds upon several foundational successes, including the launch of the critical Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine project in June 2024. Furthermore, a major milestone was reached in September 2022, when Binghamton University secured approximately $113.7 million in combined grants from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and New York State. This capital infusion was designated for the establishment of the Battery-NY center. Notably, $63.7 million of that total came directly from the EDA’s competitive Build Back Better Regional Challenge, a program explicitly designed to transform the Southern Tier into a national hub for advanced manufacturing and technological innovation.
The scientific prowess driving the region’s efforts is deeply rooted in the contributions of Nobel laureate Professor M. Stanley Whittingham, whose pioneering work laid the essential groundwork for modern lithium-ion technology. His strategic vision, which is being realized through the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, focuses intently on transitioning these technologies from the research laboratory to commercial viability, encompassing rigorous testing and construction phases. This collaborative program encompasses a wide array of activities designed to foster partnership, ranging from manufacturing forums held at the SUNY Broome Culinary & Event Center to a dedicated Safety and Research Symposium hosted at the Binghamton University Innovation Technology Complex.
Industry partners are playing an active and essential role in this transformative movement. The Raymond Corporation, which served as the title sponsor for the event, showcased its advanced lithium-ion batteries. According to data provided by the company, these batteries offer a substantial 17% performance boost when compared to traditional lead-acid counterparts. This level of engagement highlights the seamless synergy between educational institutions, private industry, and government entities, which together are forging a robust and resilient network designed for mutual capacity enhancement and sustainable economic growth in the region.