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Ambri has advanced its collaboration with Xcel Energy for a long-duration energy storage project.
Ambri, a spin-off company from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has developed a liquid metal battery for long-duration energy storage solutions. Designed to perform daily in harsh environments, the battery has an expected life of more than 20 years with minimal wear and tear, according to Ambri. Although the battery is already used in data centers, a test announced with Xcel Energy is the first reported installation by a utility company.
Xcel Energy and Ambri plan to test the 300 kWh system for a year at the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) in Aurora, Colorado. SolarTAC is owned and managed by Gray Snow Management Solutions, a tribally owned economic development company. The test center was created in 2009 by the founding companies Xcel Energy, SunEdison and Abengoa Solar with the mission of testing renewable energy technologies in real environments connected to the grid.
Installation of the Xcel system is scheduled to begin in early 2024, with the system fully operational by the end of the year. The pilot will test various use cases, such as the integration of solar and wind energy, capacity management, arbitration and auxiliary services, among others. It will use SolarTACs GridNXT microgrid platform to integrate multiple generation sources, such as solar and wind, along with inverters, load banks, and three-phase distribution connections and communications.
Xcel Energy became the first utility in the United States to set a long-term goal of providing its customers with zero-carbon electricity. The companys goal is to reach zero level in electricity, heating and transport by 2050.
“Xcel Energy is an ambitious and forward-thinking company, and their enthusiasm to test our system highlights the enormous potential of liquid metal batteries,” said Adam Briggs, Ambris chief commercial officer. “Xcel Energy clearly understands the significant value that can be achieved by integrating innovative storage technologies into its renewables portfolio.”
Xcel Energy plans to develop a subsequent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for higher capacity, long duration energy storage projects following SolarTACs upcoming 300 kWh system.
“Xcel Energy has always been at the forefront of utilities transitioning to zero-carbon electricity,” said Justin Tomljanovic, Xcel Energys Vice President of Corporate Development. “This demo project with Ambri allows us to explore a technology that could help us continue to reliably deliver the power our customers depend on throughout the clean energy transition.”
Manufactured in Milford, Massachusetts, Ambris batteries feature a liquid calcium alloy anode, a molten salt electrolyte, and a cathode made of solid antimony particles, allowing for the use of low-cost materials and a reduced number of steps in the cell assembly process.
According to the company, the active materials in its cells are reversibly alloyed and dealloyed during charging and discharging. The electrolyte is thermodynamically stable with the electrodes, preventing side reactions such as filming that can degrade performance. The negative electrode is completely consumed upon discharge and reforms with each cycle, which the company says results in a "highly repeatable process with no memory effect." |
