I have increased my focus on Michigan’s efforts relating to batteries and electric vehicles. This reflects my growing awareness that Michigan’s fledgling lithium ion automotive battery R&D/manufacturing efforts will inevitably blossom into other types of energy opportunities. Right now many are thinking only about electric cars, charging stations and utility tariffs. We forget that this battery technology has already been in use for some time—-think cell phones and computers. The R&D will shrink the size and increase the power (improved energy density) for electric vehicles and ultimately have wide-ranging impacts in the energy arena. Already there is talk of battery backup opportunities for wind turbines and solar generation. NASA and DOD are working on electric planes. Light-weight and compact batteries (the politically correct term is “advanced energy storage systems”) will find multiple applications in homes, businesses, and the electric grid. Advanced battery capital of the world? Go Michigan! Charge!!