Next-generation battery research and development: Non-politicized science at the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research

Abstract

Research on the politicization of science often highlights the role of the media or the effects of the public's prior beliefs. Less prominent are case studies addressing the direct communications from scientists working on a narrowly defined project. This paper introduces for consideration the United States Department of Energy-funded Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), which fuses together basic research, battery design, and pathways to market. The central point is to assess whether, given its proximity to the climate change issue, JCESR's research has been politicized. Based on the results from interviews, observations, measures of public interest, and a survey of scientists working at JCESR, it is concluded that JCESR's next-generation battery research has avoided politicization and even thrived. This is attributed in part to bipartisan support among policy makers, the absence of any ideology-based impacts on beliefs about energy storage, and a perception among key actors that next-generation battery technology is not a pressing threat. JCESR also presents a collective ability to protect its scientific credibility while enhancing its political relevance. JCESR's battery storage research and development has been effectively buffered from the volatility of climate change.