RWE to Pilot EnerVenue Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries in Renewable Projects
German energy giant RWE will test EnerVenue's nickel-hydrogen batteries in its solar and wind projects at a pilot facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the California-based battery manufacturer announced.
The pilot will evaluate EnerVenue’s Energy Storage Vessels, which promise safer, more durable, and flexible energy storage solutions compared to conventional lithium-ion systems. Andrea Hu-Bianco, senior vice president of engineering at RWE Clean Energy, highlighted the batteries’ potential to address growing energy demands while overcoming limitations of hydroelectric storage and lithium-ion technologies.
EnerVenue’s breakthrough lies in its nickel-molybdenum-cobalt alloy catalyst, which replaces expensive platinum catalysts previously used in nickel-hydrogen batteries. The company claims its systems can endure 30,000 cycles over 30 years with the ability to charge and discharge up to three times daily, and without risks of thermal runaway, making additional fire safety infrastructure unnecessary.
Majid Keshavarz, CTO of EnerVenue, stated that their batteries cater to demanding applications in renewable energy, offering reliable and sustainable solutions. He emphasized the importance of collaborating with a global leader like RWE to demonstrate the technology’s scalability.
As part of its Growing Green strategy, RWE plans to expand its global battery storage capacity from its current 0.7 GW operational and 1.4 GW under construction to 6 GW by 2030. The company already operates energy storage facilities in the US, Europe, and Australia.
Source: 3E News
