This episode launches our special 7-part series on the Carolina Istitute for Battery Innovation (CIBI), founded in 2024 and adding to South Carolina’s long history in battery research dating back to the 1980s.

We’re joined by William Mustain, key leader from the University of South Carolina, to explore how CIBI is positioning itself as a hub for world-class battery innovation.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

The origins of CIBI and its role in South Carolina’s clean energy ecosystem
Plans for a 20,000 sq. ft. pilot-scale battery manufacturing facility
New research labs and office space for 40+ researchers, opening in just 18 months
Strategic partnerships with companies and national labs driving the initiative forward
How USC is connecting decades of research expertise to shape CIBI’s growth

This series will also feature insights from Siemens, Phenogy, Stanley Black & Decker, SC Nexus, Argonne National Lab, NREL, and more — offering a rare look at how partnerships and infrastructure are accelerating the next chapter in battery research and energy storage innovation.

(3) Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation: Overview | LinkedIn (3) University of South Carolina: Overview | LinkedIn (3) William Mustain | LinkedIn

Building CIBI: South Carolina’s New Hub for Battery Innovation