Good morning and welcome to today’s GridBrief. With the election barely in our rearview, the energy news is a bit slow. We’re taking this opportunity to focus on emerging technologies and how they can impact the future of our grid. Today, we focus specifically on new battery technologies, their application in the grid, and the companies that are behind them.

5 Emerging Grid-Scale Battery Technologies

Lyten’s Lithium-Sulfur Batteries – High-capacity storage for balancing renewable energy sources.

Lyten’s lithium-sulfur batteries offer a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion systems by utilizing sulfur as the active material. This approach removes cobalt and nickel, reducing both environmental impact and cost. Lithium-sulfur batteries have a theoretical energy density that’s more than double that of lithium-ion, making them ideal for grid storage applications where high capacity and longer duration are essential. These batteries can store massive amounts of renewable energy, which is crucial for stabilizing the grid as renewable sources like wind and solar fluctuate throughout the day.

Company to Watch: Lyten
Lyten has pioneered this lithium-sulfur technology and recently secured partnerships with major industrial players to bring its battery solutions to large-scale applications, including electric aviation and grid storage. Their unique 3D graphene production also improves the energy density and life cycle of lithium-sulfur batteries, putting Lyten at the forefront of this battery innovation.

Solid-State Batteries by QuantumScape – Safer, long-lasting energy storage with rapid charging capabilities.

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in traditional batteries with a solid material, enabling higher energy density and improved safety. QuantumScape’s design eliminates the need for an anode and enhances ionic conductivity, leading to faster charging and a longer lifespan. For grid-scale applications, solid-state batteries promise stable performance under high loads, reduced degradation over time, and significantly decreased risk of fires or leaks. These qualities make them an appealing choice for energy storage solutions, particularly as utilities seek safer, more durable batteries for extended use.

Company to Watch: QuantumScape
QuantumScape is at the forefront of solid-state battery development and has secured strategic backing from Volkswagen. The company’s focus on removing barriers to commercial-scale production places it as a potential leader in bringing solid-state technology to the grid, with scalable energy storage systems aimed at improving reliability and reducing operational risks.

Iron-Air Batteries by Form Energy – Long-duration storage to maintain grid stability during renewable downtimes.

Form Energy’s iron-air batteries are designed to store electricity for up to 100 hours, making them ideal for long-duration energy storage at grid scale. Unlike conventional batteries that rely on lithium, iron-air batteries use iron, a more abundant and less costly material. The battery produces energy by rusting the iron and reverts the process when charging. This capability offers a unique solution to the intermittency of renewables, as iron-air batteries can supply power over days, rather than hours, stabilizing the grid during prolonged renewable downtimes.

Company to Watch: Form Energy
Form Energy has drawn significant investment and interest from the utility sector, recently partnering with Great River Energy in Minnesota to test this long-duration storage technology. With pilot projects underway, Form Energy aims to make iron-air batteries a viable, cost-effective choice for utilities looking to bridge the gap between energy generation and consumption.

Liquid Metal Batteries by Ambri – Durable, high-temperature storage for continuous cycling demands.

Ambri’s liquid metal batteries offer a novel solution for grid energy storage, using liquid calcium and antimony electrodes separated by a salt electrolyte. These batteries are particularly suited for high-temperature environments and heavy cycling demands, making them durable and low-cost for utility applications. Liquid metal batteries can withstand thousands of cycles without degradation, providing reliable storage for renewable energy integration and off-peak energy management.

Company to Watch: Ambri
Ambri, an MIT spinout, has attracted investments from Bill Gates and major utility providers due to its unique approach to grid storage. The company is currently working with large-scale partners to deploy its liquid metal batteries, with projects underway to test scalability and efficiency across various grid applications.

ESS Inc.’s Iron Flow Batteries – Flexible, scalable storage with a long cycle life for sustained grid use.

Iron flow batteries by ESS Inc. utilize an electrolyte solution based on iron, which is safe, non-toxic, and one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Flow batteries are particularly advantageous for grid applications because of their long cycle life and capacity to maintain full power capacity over 20 years of use. Unlike solid batteries, flow batteries store energy in a liquid solution, which means the energy capacity and power output can be scaled independently, making them ideal for grid-scale installations where flexibility is critical.

Company to Watch: ESS Inc.
ESS Inc. has built an extensive track record with its iron flow battery technology, completing installations in various utility and commercial applications. The company has formed partnerships with governments and major corporations, placing ESS at the forefront of iron-based storage solutions that are safe, cost-effective, and sustainable for large-scale energy projects.

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Good Bet, Bad Bet

Bad Bet: “Fuel Cells Will Outpace Batteries in Electric Vehicles” — Dr. Ferdinand Panik, 2001
In 2001, Dr. Ferdinand Panik, then head of DaimlerChrysler’s fuel cell program, confidently predicted that hydrogen fuel cells would eclipse batteries as the dominant power source for electric vehicles. “Battery electric vehicles will be relegated to niche applications,” he asserted, dismissing lithium-ion battery advancements as inadequate for mass adoption. Fast-forward to today, and battery-powered EVs are everywhere, while hydrogen fuel cells remain a minor player in the passenger car market, struggling to keep pace with the massive improvements in battery technology.

Good Bet: QuantumScape (QS)
QuantumScape is a standout in battery innovation, particularly as it gears up for scale in the current energy landscape. With promising advancements in solid-state technology, their batteries boast increased energy density, faster charge times, and a much longer lifespan than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Positioned well to meet both consumer and grid-scale demands, QuantumScape's partnerships with companies like Volkswagen underscore its credibility and growth potential, making it a company to watch closely in the era of renewed focus on domestic energy and technological autonomy.

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