The U.S. Department of Energy has granted $147 million to aid in the development of an energy storage facility in Lincoln, Maine. This facility, set to be constructed at a closed paper mill, will have the capacity to store wind- and solar-generated power, catering to around 85,000 households.
The project outlines plans for 85 megawatts of storage capacity, marking it as the largest facility of its kind in New England. The chosen location for the storage facility is part of the 400-acre site of the Lincoln pulp mill, which has been non-operational for almost ten years.
Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, expressed her optimism regarding the investment, highlighting its potential in breathing new life into Lincoln, particularly benefiting rural Maine. The Massachusetts-based company Form Energy is designated to build and manage the facility, utilizing an iron-air battery system known for its safety and cost-effectiveness due to the abundant use of iron and oxygen.
Mateo Jaramillo, CEO and co-founder of Form Energy, underscored the significance of the project, noting that this iron-air battery system will possess the highest energy capacity of any battery system globally. Energy storage is becoming increasingly vital with the growing reliance on solar and wind power, enabling the release of electricity to the grid during off-peak times.
The funding for this endeavor is part of a $2.2 billion initiative encompassing eight projects in 18 states. Within this grant, the energy storage project is part of the larger Power Up New England program, receiving $389 million in total support.
