The Energy Department has allocated $325 million towards the development of new battery technologies aimed at enhancing the storage of solar and wind energy for continuous use. Fifteen projects across 17 states and the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota will receive funding, focusing on long-term storage solutions that can maintain power output beyond the typical four-hour duration of lithium-ion batteries.

These long-duration storage options are crucial for addressing climate change by allowing traditional power plants to decrease reliance on natural gas or coal. Engineers globally are working on technologies capable of providing energy during periods of low renewable energy generation, such as nighttime or extended cloudy days.

The funded projects include initiatives to deploy large-scale batteries lasting up to 100 hours, such as those led by Xcel Energy and Form Energy at former coal plant sites in Minnesota and Colorado. Additionally, battery systems will be installed in critical facilities like Valley Children’s Hospital in California to ensure uninterrupted power during extreme weather events.

Several projects will repurpose retired electric vehicle batteries for backup power in various community settings, demonstrating the potential for sustainable energy solutions. The success of these projects is expected to validate the scalability and effectiveness of long-duration battery storage, ultimately reducing costs and promoting widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies.

https://apnews.com/article/climate-stored-energy-battery-power-19ca4fd43a0e3547140a67378db4077a