UTILITIES
Batteries can enable the integration and efficient use of renewable energy, storing it when there is excess and supporting grid stability. They can also help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and emissions-intensive energy sources.
Miki Oljaca is the Vice President of Energy Materials at Orbia’ s Fluor & Energy Materials business.
With more than two decades in the battery industry, he has experience in battery materials innovation including the development and commercialisation of components like electrolytes, binders and anodes. In this Q & A, Miki shares his expertise with Energy Digital.
Q. HOW IS THE US BATTERY MARKET RESPONDING TO TRADE UNCERTAINTY AND CHANGING GOVERNMENT POLICIES?
» Initially the US battery market was tied to electric vehicle adoption, which has ebbed and flowed along with market conditions.
While we still see EV adoption continuing to grow – last year was a record-breaking year for EV adoption in the US – we’ re starting to see our business benefit from increasing applications of batteries in stationary energy storage to support grid resiliency and to provide the energy security needed for AI data centres.
For example, we see batteries used to store energy during low-cost periods, manage peak load demand and provide resilient power for AI-driven data centres.
There are many other applications that rely on batteries, including defence, medical, industrial and other strategic sectors of the US economy.
Despite ongoing trade uncertainty and reliance on Chinese suppliers, the US market continues to grow. Companies that can secure and localise their supply chains are well-positioned to thrive.
Q. WHAT CHALLENGES IS THE US BATTERY INDUSTRY FACING?
» The industry has made significant progress in reshoring manufacturing, with major investments in domestic battery production facilities.
100 April 2026