Could this utility’s next-gen storage test be a game changer?

AI generated summary

Duke Energy is launching a pilot project to test sodium-sulfur technology as a potential alternative to lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) at the Suwannee River Steam Plant site. This 5-megawatt system aims to store energy for up to eight hours, potentially doubling the duration of most commercially available batteries, which typically last four hours or less. This pilot is notable as it represents the first utility test of the newer version of sodium-sulfur technology in the U.S.

The project, which utilizes existing infrastructure from the retired steam plant, reflects Duke Energy's commitment to innovation in energy storage. The Emerging Technology Assessment Team evaluated over 80 options before selecting this technology, which could alleviate some of the cost and supply chain issues associated with lithium-ion batteries due to the abundance of sodium and sulfur. The findings from this pilot will be shared with the Electric Power Research Institute and other organizations, potentially influencing energy production and storage practices nationwide.