The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is looking to advance the development of non-lithium long-duration energy storage (LDES) by funding pilot demonstration projects. The OCED issued a notice of intent this month for up to $100 million, indicating it is looking to advance the commercial viability and utility-scale deployment of non-lithium, long-duration (10+ hours) stationary storage technologies and applications. It is expected that the OCED will fund three to 15 projects, each receiving between $5 million and $20 million. There will be a 50% minimum non-federal cost share per project, according to a statement from the DOE. While some short-duration lithium-ion-based energy storage is already in place to support the grid, it will likely not be capable of dispatching the power necessary to mitigate the growing fleet of variable renewable energy resources. LDES technologies, however, could fill that role, especially if they leverage non-lithium battery chemistries capable of storing energy for future dispatch for much longer periods than lithium ion –– often as long as eight to 12 hours. There are already several alternative technologies on the market, including chemical, thermal and electrochemical batteries. For example, Redflow, an Australian battery manufacturer, produces zinc bromine electrochemical flow batteries for LDES systems, while BSAF is producing sodium sulfur-based chemistries for the same purpose. Additionally, AEsir Technologies is developing nickel zinc batteries for LDES applications for the critical infrastructure, defense and aerospace industries, and e-Zinc recently received $31 million in funding to complete a pilot manufacturing facility for its zinc-air battery. In addition to longer energy storage times, both can maintain reliable power in higher ambient temperatures over longer periods and with less degradation than lithium-ion batteries. They are also not as prone to thermal runaway, meaning they’re less likely to catch on fire. The U.S. government is also testing how well LDES systems integrate with microgrid technologies. The DOE’s Loan Programs Office recently made a conditional commitment to fund a solar plus LDES microgrid for the Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians in Alpine, California, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is testing an LDES microgrid for use at remote military installations. The USACE’s containerized system utilizes iron flow batteries. Additional information can also be found on the OCED’s long-duration energy storage website.
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9moThe PR doesn't mention if DOE is providing funding for this Consortium. If so, how much and how long or if these groups are doing this on their own dime.