Energy storage is the absent enabler to facilitate the proliferation of renewable-but-intermittent solar and wind energy. There is one primary metric for stationary storage: levelized energy cost over the life time of devices. It is, thus, a must to rely on earth-abundant elements, which rules out lithium-based devices for the grid-scale storage purposes as lithium is rare and its excavation is geopolitically challenged. This warrants attention for alternative rechargeable batteries. At Oregon State University, we seek fundamental understanding of design principles of electrodes for new sustainable batteries. We take an iterative approach to gain knowledge by integrating rational syntheses, advanced characterization, including synchrotron x-ray, neutron scattering, and associated pair distribution function studies, as well as DFT calculations. In this talk, I will talk about our recent results on the mechanisms of Na-ion and K-ion storage in non-graphithic carbon. I will introduce a design principle of hard carbon anode for Na-ion batteries based on its structure-property correlations. I will introduce limitations of carbon anode materials for K-ion storage and strategies in addressing them. I will discuss the relevance of organic solids as cathode of dual-ion batteries. Additionally, I will share new results on the emerging hydronium-ion batteries and ammonium-ion batteries.