Xcel Clears Path for Iron-Air Battery

• Xcel Energy has received approval to build a 10-MW/1,000-MWh iron-air battery at its Sherburne coal-fired power plant in Becker, Minnesota. With 100 hours of energy storage, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst's USD-20-million commitment and Form Energy's Weirton, West Virginia manufacturing facility, this project marks the first of two iron-air batteries Xcel will install at retiring coal plants.

U.S. utility Xcel Energy has received approval from state regulators to construct a 10-MW/1,000-MWh iron-air battery at its Sherburne coal-fired power plant in Becker, Minnesota. Developed by Massachusetts-based start-up Form Energy, the battery will provide 100 hours of energy storage, far more than most existing battery technologies. The project will move into construction in the second quarter of 2024 and be located near the 710-MW Sherco Solar complex. Xcel is backed by a USD-20-million commitment from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and is seeking a U.S. Department of Energy grant to lower costs. Form Energy will also open its first high-volume manufacturing facility in Weirton, West Virginia. This project marks the first of two iron-air battery projects Xcel intends to install at retiring coal plants with the other slated for Colorado.

How Does Xcel Energy Utilize Iron-Air Battery Technology?

• Xcel Energy will utilize iron-air battery technology to store and dispatch energy on demand.
• The 10-MW/1,000-MWh iron-air battery at the Sherburne coal-fired power plant in Becker, Minnesota will provide 100 hours of energy storage.
• Xcel has received a USD-20-million commitment from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and is seeking a U.S. Department of Energy grant to lower costs.
• This project marks the first of two iron-air battery projects Xcel intends to install at retiring coal plants with the other slated for Colorado.
• By 2024, Form Energy will open its first high-volume manufacturing facility in Weirton, West Virginia.
• The iron-air battery technology will enable Xcel to reduce the cost of energy storage and power dispatch.
• The technology will also help Xcel to reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuel sources of generation and reduce carbon emissions.