FuturEnergy Ireland has applied to build Europe’s first reversible iron corrosion battery energy storage facility. These are so-called iron-air batteries, which release energy when iron is oxidized with oxygen from the surrounding air, and charge it by reduction. The proposed project will create an energy storage facility with a capacity of 1 GWh and a power of 10 MW, which will operate for 30 years.
Image source: FuturEnergy Ireland
It is planned to purchase innovative batteries from the American company Form Energy. In September, it began production of the first batches of iron-air batteries at its new Form Factory 1 plant in the United States. When reaching full capacity, the enterprise will employ 750 people, and the annual production of iron-air batteries will reach 500 MW.
Despite the release of limited quantities of promising and safe batteries (what could be dangerous about aqueous electrolyte and rust?), Form Energy has already begun the implementation of three large projects in the United States. This is the future of the world’s largest battery energy storage in the American state of Maine (85 MW, 8.5 GWh), storage facilities in Georgia (15 MW, 1.5 GWh) and in Minnesota (10 MW, 1 GWh ).
The Irish company FuturEnergy Ireland did not indicate the exact timing of the start of construction, seeking the right to begin it within 10 years after receiving permission. The batteries will be supplied mounted in 12-m transport containers. The total storage area will be 2.9 hectares and will include a fresh water tank, a substation and the necessary communications. A fully charged battery will be able to supply electricity at full power for 100 hours. “It will change the rules of the game in the Irish energy market,” the applicants are confident.