Energy Storage Sector Survey Question Title * 1. Please provide your contact information First name: Last name: Title: Company: Email: Question Title * 2. Which two (2) of the following items do you see as in need of the most attention and immediate improvement to strengthen the existing State of Michigan energy storage sector? (choose two only) R&D of existing technologies - research & development related to existing lithium ion and lead acid, and other commercially-ready energy storage systems Product testing of existing technologies - testing and validation of improved lithium ion, lead acid, and other energy storage systems that are commercially available today Workforce development - providing training, educational and other programs to the state's energy storage sector workforce to fortify Michigan's worforce and level the competitive playing field with other states and regions Manufacturing processes - right-sizing dry, clean lithium ion manufacturing rooms, performing due diligence on the current processes and equipment, improving end-of-line (EOL) yield, etc. Supply chain and procurement - domesticating the supply chain, improved pricing, shipping and handling terms, reduced lead times, and realizing improvements from the suppliers' end, including on availability and pricing of downstream materials (cell materials, raw materials like graphite and lithium, BMS systems, etc.) Engineering and design - finding better ways to improve the enrgy storage system characteristics and pack assembly processes, while achieving a price point that will make lithium ion, lead acid, and other existing energy storage systems more competitive for mobile, grid, and consumer electronics applications Other If other, please specify Question Title * 3. Which two (2) of the following items do you see as in need of the most attention and immediate improvement to strengthen the emerging and future State of Michigan energy storage sector? (choose two only) R&D of emerging technologies - research & development related to "beyond lithium ion" energy storage systems, such as lithium-sulfur, solid state, etc technologies Product testing of emerging technologies - testing and validation of "beyond lithium ion", and other next-generation energy storage systems that are not yet [widely] commercially available Workforce development - providing training, educational and other programs to the state's energy storage sector workforce to fortify Michigan's worforce and level the competitive playing field with other states and regions Scale-up/Pilot/Manufacturing processes - working with renowned industry experts to form mentorship rograms to train Michigan's early-stage "next-generation" companies and help them scale-up their technologies from R&D bench-scale to pilot-scale production or from pilot-scale to mass production Supply chain and procurement - domesticating the supply chain, improved pricing, shipping and handling terms, reduced lead times, and realizing improvements from the suppliers' end, including on availability and pricing of downstream materials (cell materials, raw materials like graphite and lithium, BMS systems, etc.) Engineering and design - finding better ways to improve next generation energy storage system characteristics and pack assembly processes, while achieving a price point that will make these technologies more competitive with both their traditional (lithium ion, lead acid, etc.) counterparts and non-traditional counterparts (hybrid energy systems, compressed air energy storage, etc.) for mobile, grid, and consumer electronics applications Other If other, please specify Question Title * 4. Why do you think the two (2) items you selected in Question 2 above, need the most attention? Question Title * 5. Which do you see as the most important strengths and opportunities for Michigan's energy storage sector? (choose two only) Home of the "Big Three" - Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors all have headquarters in the Detroit area, as well as manufacturing, R&D/technical centers, and other facilities in Michigan Strong supply chain - Michigan is home to a strong supply base, from cell materials suppliers (BASF, TODA, XG Sciences, SoulBrain, etc.) to battery pack recyclers (Battery Solutions, Sybesma's Electronics, etc.) Strong R&D/Technical base - Michigan is home to >370 vehicle-related R&D and technical centers Strong engineering base and World-renowned universities - Michigan is home to >87,000 engineers and major research universities (UM, MSU, Michigan Tech, WSU, etc.,) Strong understanding of consumer needs - many manufacturers and researchers here have a solid understanding of end-user criteria for choosing products Energy storage manufacturing clusters - mostly in Detroit, metropolitan Detroit, and Holland, Michigan Question Title * 6. Which do you see as the most significant barriers to success or weaknesses for Michigan's energy storage sector? (choose two only) Overcapacity - supply exceeding demand of energy storage systems Narrow areas of interest - Michigan is too large-format, lithium ion, and automotive/mobile applications focused Retaining stong talent - some talent includes non-US citizens, who work in Michigan temporarily, then transfer the IP to their home country Foreign competition - Michigan just cannot compete with certain supply bases, especially in Asia (Japan, Korea, China) and Europe (Germany, UK) Limited venture capital funding - Michigan cannot compete with states like California and New York, when it comes to deep pockets of investors and venture capitalists Lack of an integrated regional ecosystem - too many gaps still exist between the public and private sectors, industry and acaedmia, small and large businesses, etc. Question Title * 7. Does your organization have plans to hire new employees for jobs that require energy storage knowledge or experience in the next 1-5 years? Who is your preferred point of contact in HR? Yes No If yes, about how many and which types of positions (titles only). Please provide HR information here. Question Title * 8. Are there specific skills that the employees and job seekers are lacking that you feel are necessary for the regional energy storage industry to grow? Knowledge and skills in (multiple choice) Electric motors Familiarity with hybrid engine technology Battery storage technology Mechanical systems & fluid power dynamics Regenerative braking, HEV transmissions, and electric motors Computer control and programming Other, or add additional Specify other, or add additional Question Title * 9. Are there educational fundamentals related to energy storage systems that are lacking in the region that you believe to be necessary for the energy storage industry to strengthen and grow? (Select one or add additional) Production operator certificate CNC operation Machining experienced/training Familiarity with electrochemistry Battery manufacturing Other, or add additional Specify other, or add additional Question Title * 10. What do you see as the largest energy storage market opportunity or opportunities for your organization in the medium term (3-4 years)? Automotive integration and assembly Component manufacturing and engineering Manufacturing Materials engineering Recycling, energy management and recharging Testing Question Title * 11. What do you see as the largest energy storage market opportunity or opportunities for your organization in the long term (> 4 years)? Automotive integration and assembly Component manufacturing and engineering Manufacturing Materials engineering Recycling, energy management and recharging Testing Question Title * 12. Does your organization have venture and industry support service needs that you would like to see available in the region? Yes No Question Title * 13. If you could choose, what additional support services would you like available in the region? Financing/capital support services Supply chain diversification support New market identification and market entry support Talent/workforce succession planning support services Talent/workfoce employee upskilling training and support services Talent/workforce hiring and recruitment support Other If other, please specify Question Title * 14. How would you leverage those services? Willing to pay for some portion of services Willing to pay membership fee Willing to use company training dollars or tuition reimbursement policy to cover employee participation in training opportunities Willing to support company staff time to support MAGMA's pursuit of funding opportunities Other If other, please specify Question Title * 15. Does your organization have educational or training needs that you would like to see available in the region? Yes No Next