Ore Energy Demonstrates 100-Hour Iron-Air Storage Pilot

Dutch startup Ore Energy, founded in 2023 as a spin-off from TU Delft, is making significant strides in the long-duration energy storage sector with its innovative iron-air battery technology. The system stores renewable electricity by reducing iron oxide to metallic iron and discharges it by re-oxidizing the iron using ambient oxygen and water. This unique chemical process is designed specifically for multi-day energy shifting, a critical need for grids heavily reliant on wind and solar power.

Pilot Success and Commercial Agreements

The technology boasts impressive specifications, offering 24 to 100 hours of continuous discharge. Crucially, it costs roughly one-tenth per unit of capacity compared to lithium-ion batteries over long windows, while maintaining an efficiency rating between 60 and 80 percent. Ore Energy recently completed a technical pilot at EDF Lab in France under the EU StoRIES program, successfully demonstrating up to 100 hours of continuous supply.

Scaling Manufacturing and Deployment

The technology is designed for 24 to 100 hours of continuous discharge, costing roughly one-tenth per unit of capacity compared to lithium-ion over long windows, making it highly competitive for multi-day storage.

Following this success, the company secured an agreement with Dutch energy provider Budget Thuis to deploy a multi-day storage project in continental Europe. The project targets 400 MWh by 2028, with an ultimate goal of reaching 1 GWh. Backed by over 61 million dollars in funding, Ore Energy plans to construct an automated manufacturing facility in Europe to achieve gigawatt-hour scale production by 2028.

By leveraging abundant and low-cost materials like iron, Ore Energy addresses the supply chain constraints and cost barriers associated with critical minerals used in conventional batteries. This approach not only enhances energy security but also provides a sustainable, scalable solution for seasonal and multi-day renewable energy storage.

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