Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium

Leveraging Michigan Assets

MDRC will collaborate with businesses, universities, and the military to locate advanced battery and energy storage assets in Michigan. The goal is to help the Department of Defense address energy storage and battery technology challenges by identifying potential solutions and working on standardization, analytics, and infrastructure improvements.

Contact information:
Vikesh Chandrashekar
vikeshc@umich.edu

Project Overview

Description

In collaboration with commercial sector partners and academic institutions, the Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium (MDRC) has mapped public and private sector investments and ongoing research and development in the state of Michigan. In doing this, MDRC pinpoints assets that assist the Department of Defense in resolving critical gaps in their energy storage and battery technologies needs. Working with the Department of Defense, MDRC members work with the DoD’s prioritized strategy to begin resolving the battery standardization, analytic, and infrastructure gaps. This includes exploring opportunities to adopt supply chain management best practices, such as centralizing information on the type, volume, and future projections of internal battery demands. 

Objective

Using the asset map, the Michigan Defense Resiliency Consortium (MDRC) will provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with strategic recommendations for addressing key energy storage and battery technology gaps. These recommendations will focus on identifying viable technologies, manufacturing capabilities, and research initiatives within Michigan’s EV ecosystem.

Asset Information

Asset Data Layer Number of Assets
Professors 38
Professional Services 69
Battery Materials and Manufacturing 50
Raw Material 3
Battery Pack and Recycling 50
Total 210

Battery Supply Chain Asset Map

Data Source

The data sources include both public and private datasets, such as the BTS, Lithium-ion Battery Production in Michigan, among others. Additionally, data collection will include individual experts, whose details have been recorded, including names, affiliations, titles/positions, emails, and addresses.

Data sources:

  1. NREL – NAATBatt Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain Database – https://www.nrel.gov/transportation/li-ion-battery-supply-chain-database.html
  2. SBIR/STTR – America’s Seed Fund – https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/firm/all?firm=&uei=&city=&zip=&program%5B%5D=105791&state%5B%5D=MI&page=1
  3. Michigan Defense – BTS Bid Targeting System
  4. BattConn – BattConn – https://www.battcon.com/
  5. Economic Growth Institute Database
  6. Company Website

Methodology

Step 1: Define Asset Mapping Approach (Dec 2023 – Feb 2024)

  • Reviewed DoD documents to align with strategic priorities.
  • Identified necessary data types and sources.
  • Developed a framework for data categorization and storage.
  • Analyzed existing maps and finalized presentation methods.
  • Conducted an initial review with the DoD.

Step 2: Develop Approach (Feb 2024)

  • Defined stakeholder objectives and aligned with DoD needs.
  • Reviewed asset maps to refine data structure.
  • Created a standardized battery supply chain framework.
  • Built a resource database for asset data collection.
  • Secured DoD approval to proceed.

Step 3: Collect & Validate Data (Mar – Jun 2024)

  • Gathered asset data through desktop research and expert interviews.
  • Verified data accuracy through a rigorous validation process.
  • Ensured all information was precise before integration.

Step 4: Build Asset Map (Jun – Nov 2024)

  • Organized validated data into ArcGIS software.
  • Structured the map into multiple interactive layers.
  • Developed features for easy navigation and data exploration.

Field Asset

  • Asset Name: The name or identifier for the documented asset, such as the name of a facility, product, service, or research project.
  • Organization Name: The name of the organization associated with the asset, such as the company, research facility, or governmental agency.
  • Asset Description: A summary of the asset’s main functions and distinctive features. This can include the asset’s role in the battery supply chain, key specifications, or unique contributions to its sector.
  • Classification I: Supply Chain Segment: The segment of the supply chain in which the asset operates, such as manufacturing, distribution, or recycling. This high-level category provides insight and understanding of where the asset fits within the larger battery supply chain. This classification is based on NREL Classification from NAATBatt Lithium Ion Battery Supply Chain data
  • Classification II: Product/Facility: A more detailed classification of the asset based on its function provides additional detail on the asset’s operational focus. This classification is based on NREL Classification from NAATBatt Lithium Ion Battery Supply Chain data
  • Classification III: Product Type: The distinct type of product or service offered by the asset. This classification is based on NREL Classification from NAATBatt Lithium Ion Battery Supply Chain data
  • Status: The current operational status of the asset provides further insight into the asset’s classification, availability, and phase in the production lifecycle.
  • Entity Ownership: Details on the ownership structure of the asset, specifying if it is US or internationally owned.
  • Capital Investment: The amount of capital invested in the asset, either as an initial expenditure or ongoing investment.
  • Production Capacity: The volume of output the asset can produce over a specified time frame, such as units per month or megawatts per year.
  • Production Location: The geographic location where production occurs. This may include addresses, cities, or regions.
  • NAICS: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that most closely aligns with the asset’s main capacity.
  • Location Information: Geographic information about the asset’s location in the state of Michigan.
  • Contact Information: The primary contact details for inquiries, including phone number, email address, and contact name.
  • Website: The URL for the asset’s official website or the organization’s main site, providing access to more detailed information
  • Source: References for where information has been gathered, such as a government database or company website. This provides traceability of the data provided, and access for more detailed information regarding the asset.
  • Validation: There are three levels of validation for each data point: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
    • Primary: information validated by a primary source within the company, through email or phone correspondence.
    • Secondary: information gathered from a reputable database, such as NREL or SBIR/STTR
    • Tertiary: information retrieved from the company’s website, or another outside source such as a news article or government report
  • Last Update: The year that information on the asset has last been updated.
  • Additional Resources: Any additional resources or information the organization has available for the asset, including PDF descriptions, product capabilities, and more.