Anthro Energy has officially announced the receipt of a $5.5 million grant from the California Energy Commission to accelerate the production of advanced battery materials. Awarded through the state’s PowerForward: ZEV Battery Manufacturing Grant Program, this funding is aimed at strengthening California’s clean-energy manufacturing base and expanding domestic battery supply chains. The capital will support Anthro Energy’s California Production of Advanced Batteries for Zero Emission Vehicles project, which will expand advanced electrolyte and battery cell production at the company’s Alameda headquarters.
Expansion of Production Capabilities
The primary objective of this investment is to upgrade Anthro Energy’s existing Alameda facility into a higher-volume manufacturing hub for its advanced electrolyte platform and lithium-ion battery cells. The project is designed to scale annual production capacity to more than 100 megawatt-hours of electrolyte and over 10 megawatt-hours of lithium-ion cells to serve applications such as consumer electronics, defense, and zero-emission vehicles. This represents a shift from limited development output toward commercial-scale manufacturing that can better meet growing market demand.
Enhancing Battery Safety and Design
Anthro Energy distinguishes itself by developing advanced polymer electrolytes engineered to improve the safety, stability, and performance of lithium-ion batteries compared with conventional liquid-based systems. The technology focuses on reducing risks such as thermal runaway while supporting higher energy density, aligning with the needs of next-generation electric mobility and high-performance electronics. By integrating these materials into complete battery cells produced in California, the company aims to prove that safer, higher-performing chemistries can be manufactured domestically at scale.
Strengthening the Local Economy
The project is expected to deliver meaningful economic benefits to Alameda and the broader region. It will create skilled manufacturing jobs and support a more resilient in-state supply chain for critical battery components. By anchoring this work in California, the initiative reduces dependence on overseas production and reinforces the state’s position as a hub for clean-technology industrial development.
Strategic Alignment with State Goals
The grant aligns directly with California’s push to expand zero-emission vehicle adoption and build local manufacturing capacity for key clean-energy technologies. The PowerForward program directs public funding toward battery manufacturing projects that can scale in-state production and support the transition to cleaner transportation. Anthro Energy’s focus on advanced electrolytes and battery cells fits squarely within these objectives and supports the state’s long-term climate and mobility targets.
Executive Leadership and Vision
David Mackanic, CEO and founder of Anthro Energy, stated that the grant represents a pivotal step in turning the company’s manufacturing vision into reality in California. He emphasized that the project will help establish domestic production of advanced electrolytes and high-performance lithium-ion cells while creating high-quality jobs in Alameda. He also highlighted the award as a milestone in building a more resilient U.S. battery supply chain and delivering safer, more efficient energy storage technologies.
As demand for electric vehicles, defense systems, and high-end electronics continues to rise, the limitations of traditional battery supply chains and legacy chemistries are becoming increasingly evident. Anthro Energy’s expanded manufacturing capabilities offer a path to deploy safer, higher-performance electrolytes and battery cells from a domestic facility dedicated to next-generation technologies. If the project successfully ramps to its planned capacity, it could serve as a model for how public-private partnerships can localize critical battery manufacturing while advancing safety and performance standards across the wider energy storage industry.