Xcel Adds Long-Term Power Storage Grid To Plans For SherCo Site

(KNSI) – Xcel Energy is partnering with a Massachusetts company called Form Energy, for a project located in central Minnesota at the site of the SherCo plant.

Form Energy’s iron-air storage technology allows for renewable energy to be held onto for days at a time. That way if demand surges during a cold winter night, Xcel would be able to tap into wind or solar power generated throughout the day.

Xcel is looking to partially replace SherCo with a solar farm and has already been investing in large-scale transmission lines that can bring renewable power produced elsewhere to the region. This is another piece to the post-SherCo future.

A press release from Xcel and Form Energy does not say what the new long-term storage system will mean for jobs locally. The utility has already said the solar farm that is planned would require a lot of temporary hiring during construction but few permanent positions.

Xcel says it will help protect against day-to-day, week-to-week, and season-to-season changes that can hinder renewable energy production. Form Energy CEO Mateo Jaramillo says Xcel is a great partner for his company to work with.

He says, “Xcel Energy operates across some of the richest wind-resource areas in North America. We’re very pleased to work with the Xcel Energy team to maximize use of its renewable generation by providing a technology solution that will ensure their customers benefit from reliable and cost-effective service year-round. This partnership highlights Xcel Energy’s commitment to ensuring grid resiliency and reliability, energy security, and access to low-cost clean energy when and where it is needed – every day of the year.”

The Form Energy system is capable of holding 1,000 MWh of electricity. The SherCo coal plant hit a multi-decade high last summer. In July 2022 alone, it generated 1.4 million megawatt hours.

The Form Energy batteries use iron rather than lithium. They charge slower but are significantly less expensive, about 10% of the cost. New Atlas says Form technology has a capacity of 3 megawatts per acre. SherCo can create 2,500 megawatts.

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