Ashlawn Energy, founded by Norma Byron, is developing non-flammable, long-life battery systems to cut electricity bills and emissions for urban communities. Since joining SecondMuse's Scale For ClimateTech program, the company has secured UL approvals, opened a manufacturing facility, captured five NYC projects, and generated $775K in H2 2025 revenue, proving that locally rooted climate manufacturing works.
The energy storage market is at an inflection point. As cities and communities across the United States accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels, the demand for safe, affordable and locally manufactured battery systems has never been greater. Yet for many urban communities, particularly in dense metropolitan areas, the batteries available today still carry serious risks: flammability hazards, high costs and supply chains entirely dependent on overseas manufacturing.
Ashlawn Energy, LLC is changing that equation. Founded by Norma Byron, the company is developing non-flammable, long-life battery systems designed specifically to reduce electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions for communities in New York City and beyond. Rather than relying on imported components and distant manufacturing, Ashlawn is building its supply chain and assembly operations right here in New York State, creating a resilient, locally rooted model for the clean energy economy.
As a participant in Scale For ClimateTech (S4C)’s fourth cohort in 2022, Ashlawn Energy gained access to critical R&D partnerships, manufacturing expertise and quality control support that helped transform an early-stage concept into a commercially proven product with UL testing and approvals, an established manufacturing facility and five captured battery projects in New York City. Here’s how Ashlawn Energy is building a cleaner, more resilient energy future – one battery at a time.
Norma Byron, Founder of Ashlawn Energy, and Maurice Daniel, Chief Scientist of Ashlawn Energy
Ashlawn Energy’s Mission: Rooted in Community
Norma Byron didn’t stumble into climate tech. She built Ashlawn Energy around a deliberate vision for what energy storage could mean at the community level.
Her goal, as she describes it, was to empower communities with innovative energy storage, enabling them to take local control of their own power, reduce the impact of climate change and enjoy a better quality of life with cleaner air and less expensive electricity.
That mission shapes everything Ashlawn does, from its product to its market. The company’s batteries are non-flammable and engineered for long operational life, two features that matter enormously in dense urban environments like New York City, where safety codes, building management requirements and community concerns around fire risk create real barriers for conventional lithium-ion systems. Beyond safety, Ashlawn’s systems are designed to deliver meaningful bill savings, making energy storage viable not just for large commercial players but for the buildings and communities that need cost relief the most.
From Concept to Commercially Proven
New York’s climate manufacturing ecosystem is grounded in strong industrial policy, targeted infrastructure investment and cross-sectoral collaboration, and it’s that foundation that makes companies like Ashlawn possible. As part of S4C’s fourth cohort, Ashlawn Energy gained access to R&D partnerships, manufacturing expertise and quality control support that helped accelerate the company’s path to market. The connection that created the most significant value was with the RIT Golisano Institute for Sustainability, which provided critical support across testing, manufacturing and product development.
“Because of Scale For ClimateTech, I was able to make important connections to help with R&D, testing, manufacturing and QC of our product.” — Norma Byron, Founder, Ashlawn Energy
Since participating in the program, Ashlawn has achieved major product design milestones, completed UL testing and approvals, established a manufacturing facility and captured five battery projects in New York City. In the second half of 2025 alone, the company generated $775,000 in revenue across three active SKUs, with a new product model introduced this year.
Building a Manufacturing Base in New York State
For Ashlawn, keeping manufacturing local isn’t just a supply chain preference. It’s a core part of the company’s identity and strategy, and it reflects a simple but important truth. A clean energy transition that relies on distant supply chains and overseas production doesn’t create lasting jobs or economic opportunity at home.
The company is currently working with MEP partners to advance battery stack manufacturing and process controls, with full battery assembly operations in New York State as the next major milestone.
Norma is clear-eyed about what that milestone means for both Ashlawn and the communities it serves. Establishing the New York State assembly will allow the company to increase production capacity, strengthen quality controls and reduce dependence on external supply chains, all while fulfilling what she describes as a critical market need for non-flammable, long-life batteries that substantially reduce electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
Rooted in New York, Built for the Long Haul
Manufacturing is civic infrastructure. It underpins tax bases, funds public services and creates durable, skills-based careers that keep families and neighborhoods stable. As SecondMuse’s Head of Climate, Lara Croushore has argued that regions that treat manufacturing as civic infrastructure and align it with the clean energy transition will drive America’s next era of industrial growth.
New York is proving that out. With strong industrial policy, targeted investment and cross-sectoral collaboration, the state has demonstrated that industry and climate goals aren’t competing priorities. They’re the same project. Ashlawn Energy is a direct expression of that model: locally rooted, technically proven and squarely aligned with the market forces shaping the next decade of the clean energy economy.
That kind of progress doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires programs that connect founders with manufacturing partners, R&D institutions and the right capital at the right time. Scale For ClimateTech exists to do exactly that. To date, the program has supported more than 100 companies, which have created over 650 jobs and collectively raised over $1.2 billion. Ashlawn Energy’s trajectory shows what becomes possible when that ecosystem is in place.
If you’re building the next generation of climate hardware, learn more about Scale For ClimateTech and how the program supports founders from prototype to production.
Ashlawn Energy team
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About Ashlawn Energy
Ashlawn Energy, LLC develops non-flammable, long-life battery storage systems designed to reduce electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions for communities in New York City and beyond. With UL-certified products, an established manufacturing facility, and a commitment to New York State-based production, Ashlawn is building a safer, more sustainable energy-storage model for dense urban environments. Learn more at ashlawnenergyllc.com
About Scale For ClimateTech (S4C)
Scale For ClimateTech (S4C) is a program designed to help climate tech hardware companies accelerate and de-risk their manufacturing process from prototype to scalable production. The 6-month program combines virtual learning with in-person components and includes expert-led manufacturing education, direct access to supply chain networks, one-on-one support from 40+ industry specialists, and strategic partnerships across climate tech, hardware, and manufacturing ecosystems. Participants also gain access to NY State’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem, pilot partners, and climate funding opportunities. Now launching its 7th cohort, Scale For ClimateTech has supported 122 climate-tech companies, including success stories such as Voltpost (urban EV charging) and Amogy (ammonia-to-power technology).
Scale For ClimateTech is funded by NYSERDA and administered by SecondMuse in partnership with NextCorps.
About SecondMuse
SecondMuse is a leading innovation firm dedicated to creating economic value through market-driven solutions that generate lasting impact. We work with clients to fuel sustainable growth while delivering measurable benefits for businesses, communities, and the planet. For over 15 years, we have designed, developed, and implemented innovative programs and financial solutions that unlock new opportunities, expand access to capital, and drive economic transformation. Our work spans 190+ countries and territories.
