Partnership to Advance Clean Grid

Chicago – August 02, 2025 – Undercurrent Energy announced a new collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to scale deployment of its Nano-Electro Fuel™ (NEF) technology across the U.S. power grid. The multi-year initiative aims to enhance energy resilience, support renewable integration, and reduce dependence on rare-earth materials.

Undercurrent’s breakthrough liquid energy architecture stores energy in safe, iron-rich nanofluids rather than solid cells. This unique approach decouples power and energy, enabling utilities to scale capacity without overbuilding.

Why Grid Storage Matters More Than Ever

Modern energy systems face unprecedented challenges. As demand grows and renewable energy adoption accelerates, the limitations of today’s grid become increasingly clear. Reliable, scalable storage is no longer optional — it is the backbone of future energy security.

Rising Energy Demands

Global electricity consumption continues to surge, driven by digitalization, industrial growth, and climate adaptation. According to the IEA, worldwide demand is projected to rise by more than 25% by 2030, placing immense pressure on outdated grid infrastructure.

Impact of Electric Vehicles

One of the fastest-growing factors is the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs):

• Each EV requires charging patterns that add unpredictable spikes in demand.
• In cities with high EV density, evening charging hours can overwhelm local distribution networks.
• Without sufficient storage capacity, the grid risks instability during peak charging times.

Regional Differences

The challenge is not uniform across all regions. Some areas experience strain from industrial clusters, while others are stressed by extreme weather. For example, Europe’s grids must balance intermittent wind power, while parts of Asia face surging demand from rapid urbanization.

Case Study — California 2024

California illustrates the urgency of the problem. In 2024, record-breaking heat waves led to peak electricity demand of over 52 gigawatts. At the same time, solar generation dropped sharply in the evening, creating the infamous “duck curve.” Without sufficient storage, utilities were forced to rely on emergency gas plants to stabilize the grid – a costly and unsustainable solution.

The Breakthrough: Nano-Electro Fuel™

At the heart of the partnership is Undercurrent’s Nano-Electro Fuel™ (NEF), a nanotechnology-based liquid battery that fundamentally reimagines how energy is stored and delivered.
Unlike conventional batteries, where power and energy are locked into a single unit, NEF separates the two:

• Power modules that charge and discharge the fuel.
• Energy modules — external tanks that hold the liquid nanofluid.

This architecture means utilities can scale energy and power independently. If more capacity is needed, they simply expand the tanks. If more power is needed, they add more stacks. This flexibility prevents the costly overbuilding common with lithium-ion solutions.

Even more importantly, NEF is non-flammable, iron-rich, and water-based. It eliminates the fire risks that have plagued grid-scale lithium installations, making it deployable in both dense urban centers and remote rural sites.

Building a More Resilient Grid

As part of the DOE collaboration, Undercurrent will deliver demonstration units for pilot projects starting in 2026. These units are expected to show:

1. Higher efficiency and extended lifecycle compared to lithium-ion storage.
2. Non-flammable, safe operation suitable for schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods.
3. Local sourcing of abundant materials, strengthening U.S. energy independence.

Impact on Energy Independence

The partnership represents more than just technology. It is a strategic step toward strengthening America’s energy independence. Today, the majority of lithium used in batteries is mined and refined overseas. This dependency creates vulnerabilities — geopolitical risks, price volatility, and supply shortages.

By using abundant U.S.-sourced iron and water-based chemistry, NEF eliminates the need for rare earth imports. That not only reduces costs but also creates new opportunities for domestic mining, refining, and advanced manufacturing.

DOE officials emphasized the national significance of the collaboration, describing it as “a model for how public-private partnerships can accelerate the clean energy transition while creating new high-skilled jobs at home.”

“Grid storage has long been the missing link in the clean energy transition. With DOE’s support, we are proving that scalable, locally sourced, and safe solutions are not only possible — they’re ready for real-world deployment.”

– John Katsoudas, CEO of Undercurrent Energy

Higher Efficiency and Extended Lifecycle

Undercurrent’s Nano-Electro Fuel™ (NEF) technology is engineered to outperform conventional lithium-ion batteries in both performance and durability. By rethinking storage at the molecular level, NEF delivers a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.

Key advantages

• Improved energy conversion: Higher round-trip efficiency means less energy lost during storage and retrieval.
• Extended operational life: Nanofluid design reduces chemical degradation, resulting in longer system lifespans.
• Lower replacement costs: Extended lifecycle reduces the need for frequent battery replacements.
• Sustainable performance: Maintains efficiency even after thousands of charge/discharge cycles.
• Scalable application: Suitable for long-duration storage without the rapid decline seen in lithium-ion systems.

Looking Ahead

Undercurrent Energy plans to expand its footprint significantly over the next five years. Beyond DOE pilot projects, the company is already in discussions with utilities, transportation providers, and defense contractors. Applications range from stabilizing wind and solar farms to powering military bases in remote environments where energy resilience is critical.

The company also envisions NEF as a bridge to full electrification of transportation. Because the liquid fuel can be pumped like gasoline, it opens the door to rapid refueling stations for heavy trucks, ships, or even aircraft in the future.

Supporting the Clean Energy Transition

Undercurrent’s mission is not just about better batteries. It’s about building a new energy architecture that makes electrification practical, affordable, and safe everywhere. The DOE partnership is a validation of that mission and a signal that the U.S. is serious about leading the next wave of clean energy innovation.