FuturEnergy Ireland is proposing​ to use an iron-air battery capable of storing energy for up to 100 hours at around one-tenth the cost of lithium ion across the battery energy storage portfolio.

This ​form of​ multi-day storage is made from the safest, cheapest and most abundant materials on the planet: low-cost iron, water, and air. The principle of operation is reversible rusting: while discharging, the battery breathes in oxygen from the air and converts iron metal to rust; while charging, the application of an electrical current converts the rust back to iron and the battery breathes out oxygen. ​​ 

​​​This battery can provide reliability and resiliency in a highly renewable grid, delivering energy at low cost when the grid needs it most: during extended periods of extreme weather, grid outages, or low renewable generation.​​ 

​​​An iron-air battery is inherently safe. There is no pathway for thermal runaway common to other battery technologies. The cells consist of non-toxic electrodes and iron anodes submerged in a water-based, non-flammable electrolyte, similar to what you find in AA batteries. ​​ 

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are used to store excess energy from the power grid, so it can be later used when the demand for electricity is high. This can help to balance the power grid, making it more efficient, reliable and resilient. 

In the context of the electrical power grid, battery energy storage systems serve as a secondary source of power, allowing the storage of excess energy generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind. When the demand for electricity is high, the stored energy from a battery energy storage system can be released into the grid to help meet the demand. This can contribute towards reducing Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and improving the stability of the power grid. 

Battery energy storage systems can play a key role in transforming the electrical power grid into a more sustainable and reliable energy system while also reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, increasing our energy security and reducing our exposure to volatile prices and supply of fossil fuels.

A number of challenges arise when attempting to deliver deeply decarbonised power systems based on variable renewable technologies such as wind and solar: 

• Transmission network constraints: As we continue to build new renewable energy projects, the electricity network can reach capacity at certain grid locations. This means that the renewable energy generators need to be turned down to prevent existing power lines becoming overloaded. 
• System-wide curtailment: This can arise when there is so much power available from renewable generators that the system cannot accommodate it. Again, the generators need to be turned down and the power is wasted. 
• Generation adequacy at times of low renewable output: When the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining, the only alternative is to burn fossil fuels to generate power.  

Storage technologies, particularly storage technologies with extremely large energy capacities, are capable of absorbing excess renewable generation at times of high output and providing this energy back to the system at times of lower output.  

​​If these technologies can be deployed at scale and in the right locations across Ireland, they have the potential to simultaneously solve the three problems noted above while also reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels, lowering harmful carbon emissions and lessening our exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices.  

Ireland is recognised as being a global leader in integrating variable renewable electricity on its power system. ​The International Energy Agency considers Ireland and Denmark to be two of the most advanced countries globally in this respect.  As of today, Ireland meets approximately 40% of its annual electricity demand, with only South Australia and Denmark listed as having higher renewable penetrations. Ireland’s stated national ambition for 2030 is to go much further, with a target to reach 80% of electricity from renewable sources. In order to achieve this ambition, battery energy storage systems such as those in our portfolio will be crucial.

We are proposing​ to use an iron-air battery capable of storing energy for up to 100 hours at around one-tenth the cost of lithium ion for our projects.

This ​form of​ multi-day storage is made from the safest, cheapest and most abundant materials on the planet: low-cost iron, water, and air. The principle of operation is reversible rusting: while discharging, the battery breathes in oxygen from the air and converts iron metal to rust; while charging, the application of an electrical current converts the rust back to iron and the battery breathes out oxygen. ​​ 

​​​This battery can provide reliability and resiliency in a highly renewable grid, delivering energy at low cost when the grid needs it most: during extended periods of extreme weather, grid outages, or low renewable generation.​​ 

​​​The iron-air battery is inherently safe. There is no pathway for thermal runaway common to other battery technologies. The cells consist of non-toxic electrodes and iron anodes submerged in a water-based, non-flammable electrolyte, similar to what you find in AA batteries. ​​ 

For FuturEnergy Ireland projects, the iron-air batteries will be housed in weatherised containers and installed on level concrete foundations. The containers are approximately 12 metres in length by 2.5 metres in width and height. It should be noted that there are no plans to stack the containers on top of one another.

As part of the planning design, a project will be surrounded by enclosed fencing, and where necessary and appropriate, will include landscaping and planting along site boundaries.

This project-specific biodiversity enhancement plan will, through the use of natural materials such as trees and hedgerows, enhance biodiversity and mitigate any visual impact.

The overall footprint of the development will depend on the quality of the site. Non-invasive field investigations will be conducted to assess any potential constraints across the land. After the field investigation work is complete, if the site is deemed suitable for development, a design layout will be produced considering potential constraints.

This layout will be made publicly available to view, and feedback will be taken from the public during active community engagement.

We typically seek to locate storage sites near existing large electrical substations, subject to environmental desktop studies to rule out any areas of known environmental sensitivity. 

This is supplemented by detailed field investigations that are carried out in advance of preparing planning application documents and environmental reports which form part of the planning application.