CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Researchers at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) are advancing a next-generation energy storage capability designed to strengthen installation resilience during extended power disruptions.
The effort focuses on Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES), following advancements in materials technology that could provide multiday energy operation, offering a low-cost alternative to diesel backup systems and conventional batteries. As Army installations face growing risks from grid instability, natural disasters and contested logistics environments, this research supports the Department of War’s mandate for installations to sustain critical missions during prolonged outages.
To accomplish this effort, the ERDC-CERL team partnered with Cache Energy to accelerate the adaptation of the company’s TCES technology for Army use. While Cache Energy has commercial systems operating in the range of 100-1000 kilowatts, this partnership is advancing the design of a specialized 5-kilowatt reactor specifically to provide the Army with a tangible prototype to service multiple applications.
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which typically provide only a few hours of electricity, the TCES system under development uses calcium oxide-based pellets to store thermal energy through a reversible chemical reaction. When exposed to moisture during discharge, the material releases heat that can later be converted into usable power.
"We’re proud to partner with the ERDC-CERL team to demonstrate thermochemical energy storage for military applications,” said Amulya Nimmagadda, the director of research and development at Cache Energy. “We are excited by the opportunity to support the U.S. Army’s mission by delivering low-cost, long-duration energy storage that enhances resilience, operational readiness and energy security. With multiple installations already underway across diverse applications, we’re excited to scale our technology to provide reliable, cost-effective energy solutions for the Army’s needs."
The calcium-based material offers several operational advantages. It is low-cost, recyclable, stable in extreme temperatures and capable of high energy density, making it especially promising for military applications in austere or environmentally challenging conditions. Researchers estimate the system capital cost to as low as $5–10 per kilowatt-hour, which is 10x cheaper than existing thermal energy storage, and 100x below current large-scale battery systems.
Beyond reducing diesel fuel demand during winter heating peaks, the system could also work alongside battery storage and renewable energy systems to improve the resilience of contingency bases and fixed installations alike.
The project has progressed rapidly, highlighting ERDC’s focus on accelerating promising technologies toward operational use. Thus far, the prototype design has been completed and major system components have been acquired. Looking ahead, the project will transition into prototype assembly, testing and optimization, followed by a live demonstration at ERDC-CERL to showcase the capability in an Army-relevant environment. These efforts position the laboratory to validate this technology as a resilient long-duration energy storage solution for Army installations by FY27.
“This effort reflects ERDC-CERL’s commitment to delivering practical, scalable energy solutions that increase installation readiness,” said Scott Lux, a member of the ERDC-CERL project team alongside Dominique Gilbert and Natalie Becerra-Stasiewicz. “By advancing thermochemical energy storage, we are providing the Army with a capability that extends operational endurance, reduces logistical risk and supports mission assurance in increasingly complex and contested environments.”
By laying the groundwork for scalable, long-duration energy storage, ERDC-CERL’s TCES research, in collaboration with Cache Energy, supports the Army’s broader goals of energy independence, installation survivability and mission assurance in contested environments.