Google Inks 1.9GW Clean Energy Pact Featuring 100-Hour Battery
Google has revealed plans to establish a data center in Pine Island, Minnesota, backed by a significant 1.9-gigawatt clean energy agreement. This initiative marks Google’s first data center in the state and is set to feature an innovative 300-megawatt battery from startup Form Energy.
Clean Energy Objectives
The new facility will collaborate with Xcel Energy to harness 1.4 gigawatts of wind power and an additional 200 megawatts of solar energy. Together, these renewable sources will charge Form’s massive battery, designed to deliver energy for up to 100 hours. With a capacity of 30 gigawatt-hours, this system aims to be the largest battery worldwide, enhancing the center’s reliance on clean energy even during periods of low generation.
Advantages of Long-Duration Batteries
- Helps maintain energy supply during night hours.
- Offers a more stable power source for renewable energy.
- Supports grid sustainability by “firming” energy output.
Despite existing grid-scale lithium-ion batteries providing shorter energy durations, Form Energy’s iron-air technology introduces a unique alternative. Unlike standard lithium-ion batteries, Form’s batteries leverage rusting and deoxidation of iron to store energy. This process occurs when oxygen reacts with iron pebbles, generating electricity, and reverses during discharge.
Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency
Although iron-air batteries generally exhibit lower efficiency, achieving only 50% to 70% of the energy used for charging, their cost advantages are significant. Form Energy claims that the cost for one kilowatt-hour of storage will be only $20 using their technology, which is substantially cheaper than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Utility Fee Structure in Minnesota
The project also introduces a novel utility fee system in Minnesota aimed at facilitating the adoption of clean technologies without conflicting with state regulators. This arrangement, termed either the “clean transition tariff” or “clean energy accelerator charge,” enables innovative clean energy projects by transferring some financial risks from utilities to Google.
Ongoing Developments and Future Impact
Form Energy’s batteries are currently being piloted in collaboration with Great River Energy, where a new installation will store 150 megawatt-hours of energy and provide 1.5 megawatts to the grid at its peak. With a factory based in West Virginia, Form Energy has secured $1.4 billion in funding to support its growth and development.
As Google continues to innovate in renewable energy production and storage, this initiative illustrates the tech giant’s commitment to a sustainable future and its pivotal role in reshaping the energy landscape.
