Jakarta, INTI - Google announced Tuesday that it will build a data center in Minnesota powered by 1.9 gigawatts of clean energy, including a massive 300-megawatt battery developed by startup Form Energy.
The new facility, Google’s first data in Minnesota, will be located in Pine Island, roughly an hour southeast of Minneapolis.
The tech is partnering with Xcel Energy to develop 1.4 gigawatts of wind power and 200 megawatts of solar power. Both energy sources will supply Form Energy’s battery system, which can deliver its full rated capacity for up to 100 hours. With a total storage capacity of 30 gigawatt-hours, it is set to become the largest battery in the world, enabling the data center to run on clean energy for extended durations.
Long-duration battery systems like this allow renewable energy to continue supplying electricity overnight or during periods of low generation, effectively stabilizing the power supply. While grid-scale lithium-ion batteries already perform this function, they typically do so for shorter time spans.
Form Energy’s technology differs from most large-scale batteries currently in use. Unlike conventional grid batteries that rely on lithium-ion chemistry adapted from the automotive sector, Form’s system stores energy through a process involving iron oxidation and reduction.
When oxygen from the air passes over iron pellets inside the battery, it causes rusting that generates electricity. During charging, an electric current reverses the process, converting rust back into metallic iron and releasing oxygen, which is then expelled from the system.
Iron-Air BatteryTechnology and Cost Advantage
Compared to lithium-ion batteries, iron-air batteries are heavier and less energy-efficient. They typically return only 50% to 70% of the energy used to charge them, while lithium-ion systems can exceed 90% efficiency. However, their key advantage lies in cost. Form estimates that storage could eventually cost just $20 per kilowatt-hour using its technology, at least three times cheaper than lithium-ion alternatives.
The Minnesota project also introduces a novel utility pricing structure designed to help utilities invest in clean technologies without conflicting with regulatory requirements that prioritize the lowest-cost electricity sources.
Google initially developed this model in Nevada, where it purchases energy from enhanced geothermal startup Fervo Energy. Known as the “clean transition tariff” or “clean energy accelerator charge,” the agreement between Google and Xcel allows the utility to pursue projects that regulators might otherwise view as risky, with Google paying a premium so that standard ratepayers are not burdened with additional costs.
Although wind and solar technologies are well established, Form’s iron-air battery system remains relatively new. The company’s first commercial battery installation is currently underway in Minnesota with cooperative utility Great River Energy. That system will store 150 megawatt-hours for 100 hours, delivering up to 1.5 megawatts to the grid at peak output.
Form manufactures its batteries at a facility in West Virginia and has raised $1.4 billion to date, according to PitchBook data.
Conclusion
Google’s 1.9GW clean energy initiative represents a major step in advancing long-duration battery storage and renewable-powered data centers. By combining wind, solar, and iron-air battery technology with an innovative pricing framework, the project not only strengthens clean energy reliability but also demonstrates how corporate investment can accelerate the energy transition at grid scale.
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