PITTSBURGH—Aquion Energy Inc. will locate a high-tech battery assembly plant here. The new plant may employ up to 400 people within three years.

DETROIT—The global market for rechargeable batteries is projected to reach $21.4 billion by 2017, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts.

GAIMERSHEIM, Germany—Audi has opened a research center here to develop high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.

WALTHAM, MA—A123 Systems has unveiled a new lithium ion battery technology, the Nanophosphate EXT, which will enable the pack to operate at extreme temperatures without requiring thermal management.

SCHENECTADY, NY—GE will unveil a new battery assembly plant here on July 10. The batteries are for backup power and energy storage in the telecommunications industry and for utility grids.

DETROIT—The price of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles is expected to drop by 17 percent by 2025.

OBERHAUSEN, Germany—Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology in have developed a new fluid for cooling the costly batteries in electric vehicles.

DEARBORN, MI—Ford is planning to invest $135 million in a research center to develop batteries and other components for hybrid-electric vehicles.

LYONS, PA—East Penn Manufacturing Co. Inc. is investing $100 million to build a new assembly plant here to make batteries for forklifts and automobiles.