Maine is poised to become a major player in renewable energy storage with the construction of the world’s largest long-duration battery system. This innovative project, developed by Form Energy, aims to store renewable energy such as wind and solar for use when these sources are unavailable, such as at night or during calm weather. Located on the site of the former Lincoln Paper and Tissue mill, the 85-megawatt iron-air battery system will discharge energy for up to 100 hours, significantly boosting the region’s grid resilience.
The key to this system lies in Form Energy’s iron-air technology. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which are expensive and pose fire risks, iron-air batteries use cheap, abundant materials like iron and oxygen. The battery stores energy by converting iron oxide into pure iron, and releases energy by absorbing oxygen from the air to turn iron back into iron oxide. This process offers a much more cost-effective and safer solution for large-scale energy storage, making it ideal for supporting the power grid in times of fluctuating renewable energy output.
The battery’s capacity to store 8,500 megawatt-hours of energy is enough to power between 64,000 and 85,000 homes, which is critical for balancing supply and demand, especially during seasonal energy needs. In regions like New England, where energy demand spikes in the winter for heating, this long-duration energy storage will provide reliable electricity even during extreme weather events or other grid disruptions.
This ambitious project is part of a broader federal initiative to modernize the energy infrastructure in the U.S. A $147 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy is helping to fund this venture, which is expected to be completed by 2028. This is just one element of a $389 million regional grant aimed at upgrading the grid across New England to handle increased renewable energy capacity, particularly from offshore wind.
As renewable energy becomes more prevalent, the ability to store large amounts of energy for extended periods will be essential for ensuring a reliable, decarbonized electric grid. Form Energy’s groundbreaking approach could serve as a model for future energy storage projects worldwide.
Image Credit : Form Energy
