Form Energy, a business that is starting to create a more durable lithium battery substitute, announced $405 million in fundraising on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone.

Form will be able to continue research and development and increase production at its first factory in Weirton, West Virginia, thanks to the funding.

Because it provides clean energy when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing, the commercial production of long-duration energy storage is thought to be crucial to reducing carbon emissions that are contributing to climate change.

Mateo Jaramillo, CEO of Form Energy, wrote in an email, “I’m extremely proud of how far our team has come in scaling our iron-air battery technology.”

The money was led by the investment firm T. Rowe Price. Several venture finance firms were also involved, as was GE Vernova, a spin-off of General Electric’s energy operations.

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“We’re prepared to speed up multi-day battery deployments with this fresh money in order to satisfy the growing demand for a more dependable and greener grid. As we move toward our goal of creating energy storage for a better future, I appreciate the dedication of our team and the faith our partners have shown in us.”

The average lifespan of a lithium battery is four hours. Many businesses, including Form, are pursuing completely different chemistries. If it operates on a large scale, its batteries, which store energy for 100 hours and require iron, water, and air, may last for several days without wind or sunlight. The company claims that iron, one of the most plentiful materials on Earth, contributes to the affordability and scalability of this technology.

In August, the business began construction on its first commercial battery installation in Cambridge, Minnesota, in partnership with Great River Energy. It will store excess energy that may be utilized when the demand for electricity rises, and it is anticipated to go online in 2025.

Next year, it is anticipated that additional Form Energy batteries in Minnesota, Colorado, and California will be brought online. Projects in Virginia, Georgia, and New York are scheduled for 2026.

More than $1.2 billion has been raised by investors for Form Energy so far.


This story’s final sentence has been changed to clarify that the $1.2 billion raised thus far has come only from investors and not from any government agencies.

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