OREANDA-NEWS. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Argonne National Laboratory and Exelon have formed a five-year cooperative research and development agreement focused on identifying new technology and systems that will advance clean energy and contribute to the development of a next-generation energy grid.

“As the nation’s largest utility company and operator of the largest clean energy fleet, we have a unique responsibility to reimagine the energy grid and lead our industry in the exploration, development and deployment of the next generation of clean, diverse energy technologies,” said Chris Crane, Exelon president and CEO. “This partnership allows us to combine Exelon’s industry experts with the best minds in research to unlock new innovations and bring them to market for the benefit of our customers and the environment.”

"I believe this agreement shows the possibilities of bringing together the best of public science and private industry to make real breakthroughs that can impact the lives of people," said Argonne Director Peter B. Littlewood. "Argonne has long believed in the power of delivering our groundbreaking science to consumers by partnering with industry, and it is an honor to have Exelon as one of those partners."

The agreement with Argonne is part of Exelon’s companywide effort to team with government and industry associations, national labs, top universities, technology companies and venture capital firms to explore emerging technology that has the potential to form new businesses and transform the industry.

The agreement combines Exelon’s market knowledge with Argonne’s broad research and expertise in all phases of energy production and delivery. The collaboration will further the goal of Argonne and the U.S. Department of Energy to identify technologies that have the potential to improve grid reliability, efficiency and stability, and introduce them to the market where they can have the greatest benefit to consumers and the public.