G. Damato
CMBlu Energy, Inc.,
United States
Keywords: grid-scale energy storage, long duration energy storage (LDES), next-generation battery technology, energy density, energy transition
Summary:
As electricity demand soars, driven by AI, data centers, and industrial electrification, utilities face mounting pressure to expand capacity, stabilize the grid, and deliver affordable, reliable power. The U.S. Department of Energy recently warned that power outages could increase by 100 times within five years if suppliers fail to add capacity during peak demand. Energy storage has quickly become a central part of this challenge, serving as the backbone of a modern, flexible, and resilient grid. Utility-scale battery capacity exceeded 26 GW in 2024 (EIA), demonstrating the rapid expansion of energy storage deployment. However, today’s dominant technology - lithium-ion - faces significant limitations. Safety concerns, federal and foreign policy, sourcing constraints, cost volatility, and the inability to economically deliver long-duration storage (beyond four hours) create barriers to scaling. As utilities plan record levels of grid investment, over $1.1 trillion through 2029, according to the Edison Electric Institute, the window has opened for new energy storage technologies that deliver higher energy density, smaller footprint, lower costs, and enhanced safety to take root. In this session, CMBlu Energy, Inc. President Giovanni Damato will share insights from the frontlines of commercializing next-generation energy storage systems designed to meet these challenges head-on. He will discuss how innovative battery architectures can achieve superior energy density and site flexibility, unlocking deployment in space-constrained areas and supporting broader community acceptance. Attendees will also learn how new technologies are being validated by leading utilities, national laboratories, and commercial partners as part of a growing movement toward long-duration, sustainable storage solutions. This presentation will explore the real-world considerations that determine which technologies succeed in today’s market, including how innovators can strategically position themselves for utility and investor engagement. Giovanni will share lessons learned from CMBlu’s path to commercialization and outline the practical steps startups and developers can take to bring disruptive storage technologies from concept to commercial readiness. The discussion will be relevant to utility leaders, policymakers, researchers, and clean energy innovators seeking to understand the market dynamics shaping the next generation of energy storage and how to capitalize on this pivotal moment in the energy transition.