Unlocking the Potential of Iron-Air Batteries for Long-Duration Energy Storage
In the Netherlands, where sunless days are common, solar panels often struggle to generate sufficient energy. To address this issue, Aytac Yilmaz, the founder of Ore Energy, aims to revolutionize the energy storage industry with long-duration batteries made from cheap and abundant iron. By utilizing these batteries, Yilmaz hopes to bridge the gaps in renewable power generation and make grid-scale storage more affordable and durable.
The core technology behind Ore Energy’s batteries was developed at TU Delft in the Netherlands, where Yilmaz conducted his research on corrosion. Unlike traditional batteries that come pre-loaded with chemicals, Ore Energy’s batteries draw oxygen from the atmosphere as one of their key reactants. This unique design allows the batteries to release and store energy by rusting iron and reversing the corrosion process. Yilmaz compares the batteries to inhaling and exhaling oxygen, which enables the necessary reactions to occur.
With €10 million in seed funding from investors like Positron Ventures, Ore Energy is now ready to bring its technology to market. The company has already established partnerships with utilities and is preparing for commercial-scale production. A portion of the funding will go towards building a megawatt-scale factory, with plans to expand to a gigawatt-scale facility by the end of the decade. Yilmaz’s ultimate vision is to deeply decarbonize the grid in the 2030s.
While Ore Energy is making strides in Europe, it’s not the only player in the iron-air battery space. In the U.S., Form Energy has been leading the way with its own advancements in long-duration energy storage. The company has raised nearly $1 billion in funding and is close to completing its first large-scale factory in West Virginia. Despite Form Energy’s head start, Yilmaz believes there is room for multiple players in the industry, as their shared goal is to transform the electricity grid and make renewable energy more accessible worldwide.
In conclusion, long-duration energy storage is crucial for maximizing the potential of renewable power generation. By developing iron-air batteries, Ore Energy and other companies like Form Energy are paving the way for a more sustainable future. These batteries have the potential to bridge gaps in energy production, making renewable energy sources more reliable and cost-effective. With continued innovation and investment in this field, we can look forward to a grid that is deeply decarbonized and powered by clean energy sources in the coming decades.
