Bill Gates “stole” Elon Musk one of the executives who was working in a manufacturing plant Tesla Motors. But everything seems to indicate that it was for a good cause: the development of batteries that can drive electrical energy in homes and carsand at the same time are friendly to the environment.
The energy industry is one of the industries that consumes the most natural resources on the planet. It is, by this same action, one of the main responsible for the emission of carbon and promoter of the creation of greenhouse gases. Therefore, multiple projects seek alternatives that reduce the uses of our Earth’s non-renewable resources.
That is precisely what a couple of companies called Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Form Energy. The first mentioned works with funds promoted by organizations led by Bill Gates, and the second is directed by Mateo Jaramillo, former vice president of Tesla’s stationary energy division, according to a review. Forbes.
Both corporations announced a $20 million grant commitment to support two projects long term energy storagedesigned to maximize the use of renewable sources and guarantee the reliability of the electrical network.
It would be a total of 10 million dollars for each project that have the same objective in common: the implementation of 10 MW/1000 MWh iron-air battery systems.
How do they work and how are they friendly to the environment?
These batteries will allow Xcel Energy store energy generated by renewable sources such as solar and wind power during periods of high production, to then distribute it at moments of lower generation. They stress that long-term storage is critical to achieving carbon-free electricity and meeting 100% renewable energy targets.
Form Energy iron-air batteries offer exceptional storage capacity as they can supply electricity for up to 100 hours at a competitive cost compared to conventional power plants.
This innovation will allow Xcel Energy to integrate more low-cost renewable energy into its electric grid while maintaining supply reliability as it plans to retire all of its coal plants by 2030.