However enormous the size of the proverbial tank, this is still a trial run for the technology. To fully replace the outgoing coal plants, Xcel will need more power capacity. But these long-duration storage units are big enough to give Xcel a “meaningful” test of the technology in real field conditions, Jaramillo said.
“It allows them to put a first commercial demonstration at two very relevant sites in their service territory and think about scaling it from there,” he noted. The projects, slated to come online in 2025, are 10 times more powerful than Form’s first scheduled installation, for Minnesota utility Great River Energy in 2024.
Several things need to happen before this vision becomes reality, however. Form is still commercializing its product, so the company needs to wrap up its internal quality validation and complete external certification for relevant…
Xcel to install Form’s long-duration batteries at…
