Dominion proposes innovative battery storage for Virginia renewables transition
Pilot would test Form's iron-air and Eos' zinc-hybrid technologies for long duration energy needs
Dominion Energy has proposed two long duration battery storage systems that are alternatives to conventional lithium-ion technology to augment its energy transition plans in Virginia.
In a filing with utility regulator the State Corporation Commission (SCC), the company proposed the Darbytown Storage Pilot Project to test iron-air batteries developed by Form Energy and zinc-hybrid batteries developed by Eos Energy Enterprises.
The alternative technologies offer better safety and can discharge over much longer periods of time compared to lithium-ion, enabling greater stability to power grids, according to Dominion’s filing.
“We are making the grid increasingly clean in Virginia with historic investments in offshore wind and solar,” said Ed Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia.
“With longer-duration batteries in the mix, this project could be a transformational step forward, helping us safely discharge stored energy when it is needed most by our customers.”
The utility is already developing the 2.6GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) array, the nation’s largest, while renewable energy advocacy group American Clean Power Association ranks them fifth in solar.
Form Energy's iron-air technology has potential to discharge energy for up to 100 hours, significantly longer than the batteries available on the market today which typically do so for two to four hours.
Form Energy’s batteries “will enhance grid reliability and provide Dominion's Virginia customers with access to wind and solar energy when and where it is needed over periods of multiple days,” said CEO Mateo Jaramillo.
“Dominion understands that meeting our future energy needs requires multiple storage technologies,” said Joe Mastrangelo, CEO of Eos Energy Enterprises. “We're excited to show Dominion how well our zinc-hybrid batteries perform.”
In addition to SCC approval, the project would require development plan approval from Henrico County. If approved, construction would begin by late 2024, and the project would be operational by late 2026.
The project would add to Dominion Energy Virginia's growing fleet of battery storage facilities, including three in operation in Powhatan, New Kent and Hanover counties. The company has three additional large-scale battery storage facilities under development in Chesterfield County, Sussex County and at Dulles International Airport in Loudoun County.
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