27 | Ben Kaun — Chief Commercial Officer, Inlyte Energy

🔋 What’s a 50 year old battery technology, made from abundant elements, with no risk of thermal runaway and no cycling degradation? Why was it originally targeted for EVs but now more for grid storage? What unique advantages does this decades-old technology bring to the table in today’s market? What do the utilities think?

In this latest episode, our guest Ben Kaun, Chief Commercial Officer at Inlyte Energy, delves into these questions —and a lot more—with host Nate Kirchhofer, CEO of BioZen Batteries. Ben has a rich background in energy storage, including stints at Tesla Motors and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and shares his insights into the evolving landscape of energy storage technologies and his journey that led him to Inlyte, a company focused on commercializing this decades-old technology.

Ben’s energy storage journey is fascinatingly personal, rooted in his father’s early work in electrochemistry, which sparked his initial interest in batteries. He recounts the twists and turns of his career, from working in his father’s backyard startup to joining Tesla before the Roadster’s debut. He touches on the challenges of advocating for battery storage in the utility sector, a space often dominated by concerns of safety and reliability. These experiences have brought him to his current role at Inlyte, where he’s now pushing forward a technology that’s nearly 50 years old but that Ben argues is well-suited for today’s energy challenges. He explains that while lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, their limitations in long-duration storage and safety concerns leave room for alternatives. Inlyte’s technology offers a reliable solution for 6 to 12-hour storage needs. Ben’s narrative hints at a future where this technology could play a significant role, especially in scenarios where safety and cost are critical. But can this technology truly compete with the behemoth that is lithium-ion?

As the conversation deepens, Nate and Ben explore the broader implications of energy storage on the grid and the importance of long-duration storage in achieving decarbonization goals. Ben paints a picture of a rapidly evolving market where traditional utilities, once skeptical of batteries, are now facing the urgent realities of intermittent and exponentially growing renewable energy. He also discusses the challenges of integrating new technologies into a highly regulated and risk-averse industry. For listeners curious about the economic and technical nuances of energy storage, this segment offers valuable insights. What will be the tipping point for utilities to embrace these new technologies fully?

In the final segment, Ben offers advice for those looking to enter the energy storage field. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s work with a greater purpose and remaining open to new opportunities.

[Recorded 8 May 2024]