Backed by notable figures such as Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, Form Energy, a start-up focused on renewable energy storage, has paved a groundbreaking path towards a sustainable future. Specializing in multi-day iron-air battery systems, Form Energy delivers a solution that’s just a fraction of lithium’s cost. A 10-MW/1-GWH demo system has recently received a greenlight.
The transition to a completely green energy grid is a complex process that requires innovative, practical and environmentally friendly storage methods. The energy produced during low-demand periods needs storing for use during high-demand times, a process that must happen on varying scales. Up to now, lithium “big batteries” have performed well on a daily scale, but their suitability for longer-duration storage is limited. Enter iron-air batteries, the promising solution to continue the clean energy drive during seasonal fluctuations and periods of poor weather.
Positioned in the frontlines of this multi-day storage solution, Form Energy has developed an incredibly straightforward, modular battery solution borne out of iron’s rust cycle. Iron oxide, otherwise known as rust, is transformed into metallic iron through an electrically-charged process, releasing oxygen along the way. While discharging, the battery reintroduces oxygen, transitioning the metallic iron back to rust and generating energy.
Despite seeming slower than lithium batteries, the discharge cycle of these iron-bearing batteries is surprisingly fast, clocking in around 100 hours, or slightly above four days. This discovery strikes the perfect balance for cities requiring multi-day energy buffering against adverse weather.
Iron-air batteries come with an array of advantages, most importantly being based on direct reduced iron (DRI) – an abundant, inexpensive and perfectly safe resource. Alongside air and water as main components, the battery design is naturally sustainable. This compact power source, occupying an acre of land for a 3MW power generation, boasts a commendable lifespan and is fully recyclable. Moreover, its Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS) is merely 10% of lithium big batteries per kilowatt-hour stored and released.
Hot on the trail of opening a $760 million manufacturing plant in West Virginia earlier this year, Form Energy recently unveiled an ambitious demonstration project. A 10-megawatt/1-gigawatt-hour system is set to be constructed over 5 acres of land near Sherburne County Generating Station in Becker, Minnesota. This location sits near Sherco Solar, one of the country’s largest solar generating sites under development, which will have a staggering 710 MW capacity once completed.
The battery will be built on land owned by Xcel Energy. This power company has already transitioned more than half its renewable energy capacity. Using the existing transmission structure, it aims to replace coal-fired power with cost-effective iron-air batteries.
“Multi-day battery storage has the potential to better harness the renewable energy we generate while ensuring the grid remains reliable for our customers”, stated Bria Shea, a Senior Vice-President at Xcel. “We’re excited to move this forward and discover how it can contribute to our broader goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity.”
Construction is scheduled to start next year, with previous projects, such as the smaller 1.5-megawatt system in collaboration with Great River Energy, to be implemented in Minnesota. This development will significantly enhance the global shift towards renewable energy.
