New utility-level storage battery

[begreen]

Form has developed an iron-air battery that they claim will provide power for 100 hrs at a cost of below $20/kWh. It is scheduled to go into real-world trials in 2023 with the production goal of 2025. The battery is much too heavy for cars and trucks, but it could provide the solution necessary for longer term storage and release of renewable power.

Form Energy's $20/kWh, 100-hour iron-air battery could be a 'substantial breakthrough'

Form unveiled a chemistry process for powering a battery the company claims can deliver electricity for 100 hours.

www.utilitydive.com

 

[stoveliker]

Interesting, and could be big. Of course simply removing the oxygen won't reduce the oxide. That's where charging (power) comes in.

I'm always a bit skittish about powdered metals though. Big explosions etc. So indeed not a small system, so that proper safety engineering is possible.

 

[begreen]

Interesting, and could be big. Of course simply removing the oxygen won't reduce the oxide. That's where charging (power) comes in.

I'm always a bit skittish about powdered metals though. Big explosions etc. So indeed not a small system, so that proper safety engineering is possible.

I think they said they are using iron metal balls or pellets. They are in an electrolyte solution. Here's another article on the Form battery.

Form Energy announces Iron-Air 100-hour storage battery

Officials with battery maker Form Energy have announced the development of the Iron-Air 100-hour storage battery—a battery meant to store electricity created from renewable sources such as solar and wind. As part of their announcement, they note that their new battery is based on iron, not...

techxplore.com

and Form's website:
(broken link removed)

 

[stoveliker]

But that slows things as oxygen iron reactions happen fast at the surface. Having to have oxygen diffuse into pellets is slow and likely results in not reaching theoretical capacity.

On the other hand, they thought about it more than I have ...

 

[begreen]

I'm confused. The utilitydive article said they are using iron pellets, but Form's website shows a large iron electrode. Pellets would offer a much larger surface area so that makes some sense.

 

[stoveliker]

I'm confused. The utilitydive article said they are using iron pellets, but Form's website shows a large iron electrode. Pellets would offer a much larger surface area so that makes some sense.

yes, that was the reasoning for my brain immediately thinking of powders. I guess the only way to find out what really happens (b/c "powders" may be poor marketing, but pellets less so, while both are ill-defined) is to look up their patents.

 

[peakbagger]

I am just worried that its early phase bait for some SPAC to snap up. SPACs of late are getting a real bad rep for crashing and burning after going public due to crappy disclosure with no hope of cash flow.

 

[begreen]

Here is a short video on the Form battery technology.

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[stoveliker]

Sounds good. Not enough for me to put some of my retirement money in, but good nonetheless.

I wonder how this compares to the competing concept of flow batteries.

Also, I had to smirk a bit about the "acre with tens of thousands of batteries" providing 1 MWh storage. Volumetrically nice. BUT... Why put the solar farm on another acre next to it rather than on that acre big flat roof ...
Marketing imagery.

 

[begreen]

Sounds good. Not enough for me to put some of my retirement money in, but good nonetheless.

I wonder how this compares to the competing concept of flow batteries.

Also, I had to smirk a bit about the "acre with tens of thousands of batteries" providing 1 MWh storage. Volumetrically nice. BUT... Why put the solar farm on another acre next to it rather than on that acre big flat roof ...
Marketing imagery.

Yes, that is a logical and practical way to install with a lower footprint.

 

[jetsam]

Performance wise, it sounds similar to old fashioned NiFe batteries. Those had a tremendous cycle life and could be discharged deeply, but had a low discharge rate and were large and heavy. I have always wondered why they haven't made a comeback for use in large battery banks.

 

[begreen]

Looks like ESS in Oregon just got a nice contract for iron-flow batteries as grid backup.

Iron Battery Breakthrough Could Eat Lithium’s Lunch

Iron-flow technology from ESS is being deployed at scale in the U.S.

www.bloomberg.com