ESS Partners with SRP and Google on 50 MWh Long-Duration Storage Pilot
Event summary
- ESS will deploy a 5 MW, 50 MWh iron flow Energy Base system at SRP’s Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center in Arizona.
- Project New Horizon is a commercial validation milestone for ESS’s utility-scale long-duration energy storage technology.
- Manufacturing is expected to begin in 2026, with delivery targeted for December 2027.
- Google is funding a portion of the project through a cost-sharing arrangement with SRP.
- EPRI will provide independent oversight for project operational testing.
The big picture
This collaboration underscores the growing utility interest in non-lithium long-duration storage solutions as part of long-term resource planning. The involvement of Google highlights the strategic importance of LDES for grid reliability and renewable integration. Success could serve as a blueprint for broader deployments in the clean energy transition.
What we're watching
- Commercial Validation
- Whether the pilot’s success will unlock follow-on commercial opportunities with utilities and large energy users.
- Technology Scaling
- The pace at which ESS can deliver cost advantages at larger scale with its Energy Base platform.
- Market Adoption
- How real-world operational performance data will influence broader LDES deployment pathways.
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