Antarctica iron battery company

Could form energy's iron-air batteries help the grid transition away from fossil fuels?

Electricity production accounts for roughly a quarter of global emissions. If Form Energy’s iron-air batteries can store renewable energy to use when there’s no sun or wind, they could help the grid transition away from fossil fuels. About 28 gigawatts of grid batteries were operational and storing energy worldwide in 2022.

Could iron-based batteries save energy?

Form Energy is building iron-based batteries that could store renewable energy on the grid for long stretches, saving up for times when electricity sources such as wind and solar aren’t available. Using iron, one of the most common metals on the planet, could help the company build batteries that are cheap enough to be practical.

What are iron-air batteries?

Iron-air batteries are the best solution to balance the multi-day variability of renewable energy due to their extremely low cost, safety, durability, and global scalability. Our first commercial product using our iron-air technology is optimized to store electricity for 100 hours at system costs competitive with legacy power plants.

How do iron-air batteries work?

Iron-air batteries work by taking advantage of the rusting process of iron. They aren’t a new technology, but they have yet to be commercialized. When an iron-air battery discharges, iron metal combines with oxygen, forming iron oxide (rust) and releasing electrons. This flow of electrons provides energy in the form of electricity.

Are iron-air batteries safe?

The active components of our iron-air battery system are some of the safest, cheapest, and most abundant materials on the planet — low-cost iron, water, and air. Iron-air batteries are the best solution to balance the multi-day variability of renewable energy due to their extremely low cost, safety, durability, and global scalability.

Can iron-air batteries be built at one-tenth the cost of lithium-ion batteries?

Form has demonstrated that iron-air batteries can be built at one-tenth the cost of lithium-ion batteries, largely because the primary materials used to make them are cheap and abundant. That low cost could make it feasible for utilities to use the batteries for long-duration scenarios, storing energy for up to 100 hours.