Urban Electric Power

Urban Electric Power (UEP) operates as a developer and manufacturer of rechargeable battery technology, spun out of the City University of New York (CUNY) Energy Institute in 2012. The company was founded by Sanjoy Banerjee, who is also the lead inventor of its core technology. Dr. Banerjee, a Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Director of the CUNY Energy Institute, leveraged his extensive background, including a prior role as Chair of Chemical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, to pioneer the firm's battery advancements. The initial research was supported by funding from the Department of Energy's ARPA-E program, which sought a grid storage solution with costs comparable to pumped hydro but without the geographical limitations.

UEP is commercializing a patented zinc-manganese dioxide (Zn-MnO2) battery, which re-engineers the chemistry of common disposable alkaline batteries to make them capable of recharging for thousands of cycles. This technology is based on earth-abundant, non-toxic, and recyclable materials, positioning it as an alternative to conventional battery chemistries that often rely on lead, heavy metals, or flammable electrolytes. A key technical achievement was overcoming the formation of dendrites—branch-like structures that cause short circuits in earlier zinc anode batteries—allowing for a significantly extended cycle life. Independent analysis indicates that the greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing UEP's batteries are substantially lower than those for lithium-ion and lead-acid alternatives.

The company's business model is centered on manufacturing and selling these advanced battery systems for a range of stationary energy storage applications. UEP targets a diverse client base, including residential, commercial, and utility-scale customers. Revenue is generated through the sale of its modular energy storage products, designed for applications such as power backup during outages, peak demand management, and integration with renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The product line includes the 'Ohm Commercial Rack' for indoor industrial and commercial use, the 'Ohm Pod' for outdoor utility-scale projects, and a residential unit. These systems are designed to be scalable, allowing for customized installations to meet specific power and energy requirements. The company operates a manufacturing and R&D facility in Pearl River, New York, and is working to scale production.

Keywords: zinc-manganese battery, rechargeable alkaline battery, energy storage systems, grid-scale storage, CUNY spin-out, Sanjoy Banerjee, stationary battery, zinc anode, battery manufacturing, renewable energy integration, peak demand management, power backup, commercial energy storage, residential energy storage, utility-scale battery, sustainable battery, non-flammable battery, energy resilience, microgrid solutions, clean energy technology