Discover 2026 advances in long-duration energy storage with 100-hour batteries. Ore Energy’s EDF iron-air pilot and Noon Energy’s carbon-oxygen demo challenge Form Energy’s lead, boosting renewables amid AI/EV demand. Expert analysis on grid reliability and US clean energy goals.
Introduction: The Race for Multi-Day Grid Storage Heats Up
In the push toward a fully decarbonized grid, lithium-ion batteries excel at short bursts (4-8 hours), but renewables like solar and wind need reliable backup during extended cloudy or calm periods—often days long. Enter long-duration energy storage (LDES), particularly 100-hour batteries that promise affordable, multi-day discharge to replace fossil peakers and ensure 24/7 clean power.
Form Energy has dominated headlines with its iron-air technology, deploying first commercial units in 2025 and scaling in 2026. But recent milestones signal a maturing market: Dutch startup Ore Energy completed a grid-connected 100-hour iron-air pilot with French utility EDF in early February 2026, while US-based Noon Energy demonstrated its carbon-oxygen battery operating for thousands of hours with over 200-hour capacity (announced January 2026, highlighted in Latitude Media Feb 18 coverage).
These developments, per Latitude Media’s “The race for the 100-hour battery has new entrants” (Feb 18, 2026), show competitors closing in on Form Energy’s lead. As US data centers (fueled by AI) and EVs strain grids, 100-hour LDES could be transformative. This article explores why these durations matter, compares technologies, analyzes challenges/outlook, and ties to US clean energy ambitions.
Why 100-Hour Storage Is Essential in 2026
Renewable penetration surges, but intermittency creates “dunkelflaute” events—multi-day low wind/solar output. Grid studies show:
- AI-driven demand could push US electricity use up 15-20% by 2030.
- EVs add peak loads, requiring firm power beyond lithium’s economic reach (costs rise sharply past 8-10 hours).
100-hour systems bridge gaps, enabling:
- Deeper decarbonization: Replace coal/gas for baseload-like reliability.
- Cost savings: Avoid overbuilding renewables or peaker plants.
- Resilience: Handle extreme weather, as seen in recent US blackouts.
Form Energy’s iron-air batteries target $20/kWh at scale, making multi-day viable. New entrants like Ore and Noon validate the path, accelerating adoption amid IRA incentives and state LDES mandates (e.g., California’s procurement).
Spotlight on New Milestones: Ore Energy and Noon Energy
Ore Energy’s EDF Pilot (Feb 2026) Netherlands-based Ore Energy wrapped a three-month grid-connected pilot at EDF Lab les Renardières near Paris (pv magazine, Feb 10, 2026; Latitude Media, Feb 18). The modular iron-air system (under 1 MWh in a 20-foot container) operated live, testing accelerated cycles and wind-colocation scenarios. EU-funded via StoRIES, it builds on Ore’s earlier Dutch grid tie-in, proving integration into existing networks.
CEO Taeksoon Kil emphasized operational streamlining and cell optimization—key for scaling.
Noon Energy’s Carbon-Oxygen Demo (Jan/Feb 2026) Palo Alto startup Noon Energy ran its reversible solid-oxide fuel cell battery for thousands of hours, exceeding 200-hour storage (Latitude Media, Jan 21; Electrek, Jan 21). Supported by California Energy Commission, the containerized system uses abundant carbon/oxygen (CO2 split/recombined), avoiding rare metals.
CEO Chris Graves called it the first modular ultra-LDES at this scale/longevity, targeting multi-day to seasonal storage.
These pilots follow Form Energy’s deployments (e.g., Minnesota with Great River Energy, operational 2026 per Latitude Media Oct 2025 update), signaling competition drives innovation.
Technology Comparison: Iron-Air vs. Carbon-Oxygen vs. Form’s Lead
Core Chemistry
Form Energy (Iron-Air)
- Reversible rusting process (Fe → Fe(OH)₂)
- Iron-air battery architecture
Ore Energy (Iron-Air)
- Modular iron-air system
- Similar reversible rusting chemistry
Noon Energy (Carbon-Oxygen)
- Reversible solid-oxide fuel cell
- CO₂ ↔ C + O₂ reaction cycle
Duration
Form Energy
- 100+ hours storage
Ore Energy
- ~100 hours storage
Noon Energy
- 100+ hours demonstrated
- Demo exceeded 200 hours
Key Advantages
Form Energy
- Uses abundant iron
- Low cost target (~$20/kWh)
- Safe (no thermal runaway risk)
Ore Energy
- Grid-integrated pilots in Europe
- Modular containerized systems
Noon Energy
- Uses abundant elements
- High capacity density
- Strong seasonal storage potential
Efficiency (Round-Trip)
Form Energy
- ~40–50% (improving over time)
Ore Energy
- Similar to Form
- Focus on operational optimization
Noon Energy
- Higher potential efficiency
- Gains from solid-oxide fuel cell technology
Maturity
Form Energy
- Commercial deployments
- Minnesota and California pilot projects
Ore Energy
- Multiple European grid pilots
- Netherlands and France
Noon Energy
- Demonstrations running thousands of hours
- Backed by California Energy Commission (CEC)
Challenges
Form Energy
- Scaling manufacturing capacity
Ore Energy
- Primarily European focus
- Scaling production
Noon Energy
- Early commercial stage
US Relevance
Form Energy
- Factory in West Virginia
- DOE grant support
Ore Energy
- Potential transatlantic expansion
Noon Energy
- California-based
- Aligns with state decarbonization goals
Iron-air (Form/Ore) leverages cheap iron for massive scale; carbon-oxygen (Noon) offers efficiency/compactness. All avoid lithium’s supply risks, emphasizing safety/recyclability.
Grid Reliability Boost and Cost/Efficiency Gains
These technologies enable:
- Renewable firming → Wind/solar + LDES = dispatchable power.
- Cost reductions → Form targets competitive with gas plants; competitors aim similar.
- Efficiency improvements → Noon’s fuel cell may exceed iron-air’s ~50% round-trip.
US utilities (PG&E, Xcel) pilot Form systems for resilience. Broader adoption could save billions in grid upgrades.
Challenges Ahead
- Scaling/Manufacturing — Form expands WV plant; others need factories.
- Economics — Upfront costs high; needs policy support (e.g., IRA extensions, state tenders).
- Efficiency/Integration — Lower round-trip vs. lithium requires oversizing.
- Regulation — Markets undervalue multi-day; cap-and-floor mechanisms needed.
Despite hurdles, 2026 pilots prove viability.
2026-2030 Outlook: Maturing Market and US Clean Energy Goals
By 2030, LDES could unlock tens of GW in US (Form studies). With AI/EV demand, Biden-era IRA/IRA extensions (or equivalents) prioritize it. Competitors challenge Form, fostering faster innovation/lower costs.
Outlook:
- 2026-2027: More commercial pilots (Ore/Noon expansions?).
- 2028+: GW-scale deployments.
- Hybrid systems (LDES + short-duration) dominate.
This accelerates US net-zero, enhancing energy independence.
Conclusion: The Future of Renewable Integration
The 100-hour battery race—led by Form Energy but challenged by Ore and Noon—marks a pivotal shift. These advances ensure renewables power grids reliably, cutting emissions and costs amid surging demand.
Stay ahead with vfuturemedia.com‘s green tech coverage. Subscribe for exclusive updates on LDES, AI power needs, and EV trends—your gateway to tomorrow’s sustainable world.
Leave a Comment