Google has committed approximately $1 billion (€850 million) to battery startup Form Energy for a 300 MW iron-air storage installation capable of continuous discharge over 100 hours, supporting a new data centre in Minnesota powered by wind and solar generation, TechCrunch reports.

Form Energy's iron-air battery operates through an oxidation process where oxygen pumped into cells rusts iron, releasing electrons. The system will smooth electricity flow from 1.4 GW of wind power and 200 MW of solar capacity serving the data centre.

The startup has developed the technology over several years and constructed a manufacturing facility in West Virginia to produce the batteries. The Google contract represents Form Energy's first major customer commitment for the extended-duration storage technology.

With a substantial order secured, Form Energy chief executive Mateo Jaramillo indicated the company is raising a $500 million funding round. Form has raised $1.4 billion to date according to PitchBook, with plans to pursue a public listing next year.

Extended-duration storage addresses a critical gap in renewable energy systems, enabling power delivery during multi-day periods of low wind or solar output. Traditional lithium-ion batteries typically provide storage durations of two to four hours, whilst Form Energy's iron-air technology targets 100-hour discharge capability.

The Minnesota installation demonstrates growing corporate investment in long-duration storage solutions to support renewable energy commitments whilst maintaining operational reliability. Technology companies operating energy-intensive data centres increasingly seek storage technologies capable of bridging extended renewable generation gaps without relying on fossil fuel backup systems.

Form Energy's West Virginia manufacturing facility represents domestic production capacity for the emerging long-duration storage sector, potentially supporting supply chain development as deployment scales.

Review Form Energy's iron-air technology specifications and commercial deployment strategy in the full story.