Dominion Energy has unveiled a pioneering battery storage pilot project aimed at extending the discharge duration of batteries used in the electricity grid. This forward-looking initiative, known as the Darbytown Storage Pilot Project, has been presented to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) and is set to evaluate two cutting-edge technologies as potential alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, with a focus on enhancing safety features in energy storage solutions.
Located at the existing Darbytown Power Station in Henrico County, the pilot scheme will assess two promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries: iron-air batteries, developed by Form Energy, and zinc-hybrid batteries, developed by Eos Energy Enterprises.
The timing of this proposal is significant, as Dominion Energy is concurrently working on one of the largest offshore wind projects in the United States, along with an expanding portfolio of solar energy assets.
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Ed Baine, President of Dominion Energy Virginia, highlighted the company's commitment to clean energy in Virginia, stating, “We are making the grid increasingly clean in Virginia with historic investments in offshore wind and solar. 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.”
Form Energy's iron-air technology holds the potential to discharge energy for up to an impressive 100 hours, a considerable improvement over currently available batteries on the market. Mateo Jaramillo, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Form Energy, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “We are pleased to partner with Dominion Energy on the innovative Darbytown Storage Pilot Project and look forward to delivering a 100-hour iron-air battery system that 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.”
Eos Energy Enterprises' zinc-hybrid batteries are equally promising, and Joe Mastrangelo, Chief Executive of Eos Energy Enterprise, expressed eagerness about showcasing their capabilities, stating, “Dominion understands that meeting our future energy needs requires multiple storage technologies. We're excited to show Dominion how well our zinc-hybrid batteries perform.”
The success of the project hinges on approvals from the SCC and Henrico County for its development plan. Pending these approvals, construction is expected to commence by late 2024, with the project slated to become operational by late 2026. Dominion Energy's initiative represents a significant stride in bolstering grid reliability and advancing the deployment of innovative energy storage solutions in the quest for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
