The federal government is investing $389 million in New England’s power grid, with a focus on improving renewable energy storage and transmission throughout the region. According to a press release about the allocation, it will use the world’s largest battery system ever developed in terms of energy capacity.
This initiative is expected to maximize energy distribution from offshore wind farms under development. Massachusetts-based Form Energy’s unique iron-air battery has received $147 million in funding. Canary Media reports that the large battery will have a unique chemistry and will store abundant wind energy in a location in Maine.
This is all part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s competitive funding opportunity, the Grid Innovation Program. The project funded 65 projects worth $5.7 billion in the eastern and western parts of the country through two rounds, according to DOE tables.
“We are committed to working with New England states to create union jobs for highly skilled workers while supporting projects that strengthen systems, improve energy reliability, and deliver affordability.” We look forward to it,” Maria Robinson, director of the DOE Office of Grid Deployment, said in a press release. .
The entire project is called Power Up New England and includes a collection of states in the region, according to Canary.
The initial statement stated the goal was to “unleash” 4,800 megawatts of offshore wind power and battery capacity to store it. A transmission line from New York to New England, called the Clean Resilience Link, is also part of the overall effort in the Northeast, according to a Massachusetts government press release.
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Form Energy’s iron-air batteries are gaining attention as inexpensive, scalable, and efficient energy storage units. A power pack is capable of storing and distributing an amazing amount of power by turning the rust inside it into iron and then rusting again. Form said it leverages chemistry using simple ingredients such as iron, air and water.
The company also said it could produce steel for steelmaking more cleanly, without the use of fossil fuels or high-temperature furnaces, and said there were side benefits of the process. Continuing with metals, Canary reported that Form has completed construction of a factory in Weirton, West Virginia, a traditional steel town.
In New England, air-iron batteries will provide up to 100 hours of energy to local communities and, if all goes to plan, critical grid support.
“The power up is a huge win for electric customers and continues the momentum of federal partnerships and regional cooperation here in New England,” Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in a press release.
It’s all part of the transition to renewable energy sources. Medical experts and scientists say reducing heat-trapping air pollution is the key to avoiding what the Massachusetts Institute of Technology calls the worst-case environmental scenario if global warming continues unchecked. are important and pose similar concerns for human and planetary health.
“While extreme weather events fueled by climate change will continue to strain the nation’s aging power transmission system, (these projects) will ensure the U.S. power grid continues to provide reliable and affordable electricity,” Robinson said. “We will be able to supply it,” he said.
Even if you don’t live in a community participating in the grant program, there are ways to contribute. Washing your clothes on the cold water cycle is a great way to save money and reduce energy usage. Surprisingly, about 90% of a washing machine’s power is used to heat the water.
At Form, repurposing decommissioned sites as part of the battery infrastructure is another layer of efficient planning. New England’s battery system, for example, will be located in a former paper mill.
“This iron-air battery system will have the highest energy capacity of any battery system ever presented in the world,” said Foam CEO Matteo Jaramillo in a press release. Ta.
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