Scale-up of Ultra Low Cost Long-Duration Battery for Fully Reliable Renewable Power
Noon Energy Inc.
Recipient
Palo Alto, CA
Recipient Location
13th
Senate District
23rd
Assembly District
Active
Project Status
Project Update
In 2025, Noon designed, built, and began testing a 50 kW module, with full commissioning and testing expected in the first quarter of 2026. This half-scale module focused on validating the overall design and execution strategy. Design for the full-scale 100 kW / 10MWh system progressed over 2025, with orders placed for critical long-lead components. Over 2026, the insights gained from controls development, testing, and optimization of the half-scale system will be incorporated into detailed design of the full-scale system.
The Issue
Today’s commercial battery technologies suffer from high costs, performance degradation, and fire and safety risks associated with thermal runaway. These concerns limit the use of existing battery storage technologies for many long duration energy storage (LDES) applications, including for shifting of large amounts of renewable electricity generated in periods of high production to weeks with low renewable production. As the costs of intermittent renewable energy decline and deployment increases, there is a growing need for improved LDES solutions to support year-round reliability at a lower system cost.
Project Innovation
Noon Energy will scale, validate, and accelerate the commercialization of its novel, low cost, and safe reversible solid oxide cell (RSOC) storage system to provide 100 kW of power for 100 hours. This project will achieve a significant advancement from Noon’s previously demonstrated operation at the kW-scale. Upon full commercialization, Noon is targeting a capital cost of below $20 per kWh and to reach a levelized cost of storage below $0.05/kWh for cost-effective long duration storage.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
Noon's low cost 100+ hour LDES technology can support greater electric reliability for California IOU ratepayers by enabling storage of excess solar electricity for use during solar-deficient winter months to meet year-round demand with renewables. The technology can lower ratepayer costs by enabling storage of low cost renewable electricity to offset more expensive generation from peaker plants and other higher cost generation. The technology also has a pathway to reduced capital and operational costs compared to commercially available storage systems. The project will also validate the improved safety characteristics compared to lithium ion batteries, as Noon's battery system avoids thermal runaway risks with associated fire hazards and toxic emissions.
Safety
The long duration storage technology scaled and demonstrated in this project can support improved electric system reliability, affordability, and safety while enabling 100 percent renewable electricity generation. Additionally, this project will partner with community-based organizations to provide educational experiences and other benefits to low income and disadvantaged communities.
Affordability
When fully commercialized, the technology will enable 100+ hour energy storage for a LCOS of less than $0.05/kWh – enabled by a capital cost below $20 per kWh storage capacity. In contrast, a typical Li-ion battery system is unable to cost-effectively provide this type of long-duration energy storage; today the cost is more than 10x higher and is expected to remain more than 5x higher even with major Li-ion cost reductions.
Reliability
The technology is capable of cost effectively storing renewable electricity that would otherwise be curtailed for discharging later during times of low renewable production. This could enable multi-day discharge to support reliable grid operations with 100 percent renewable resources.
Safety
In contrast to conventional Li-ion batteries, Noon’s technology has no risk of thermal runaway, related fire hazards, and resulting toxic emissions which could significantly reduce the safety risks associated with 100 percent renewable electricity systems.
Key Project Members
Christopher Graves
Subrecipients
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Apillis
Alten
Match Partners
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
Noon Energy Inc.
Apillis
Alten
