Salt River Project Expands Energy Storage with 50-MWh Iron Flow Battery

What's Happening?

Salt River Project (SRP) has announced a partnership with ESS Tech to add a 5-MW/50-MWh iron flow battery to its energy system. This initiative is part of a pilot project and storage purchase agreement aimed at enhancing long-duration energy storage capabilities. The battery will be installed at SRP's Copper Crossing Energy and Research Center in Florence, Arizona, and is expected to be operational by December 2027. The project is designed to meet the increasing energy demand in the Phoenix metropolitan area, where SRP plans to double its generating resources over the next decade. Currently, SRP supports its grid with nearly 1,300 MW of energy storage, including 1,100 MW of battery storage.

Why It's Important?

The addition of the iron flow battery is significant for SRP as it seeks to address the growing energy needs of the Phoenix area, which is experiencing rapid commercial and residential growth. Long-duration energy storage solutions like this battery are crucial for integrating renewable energy sources and ensuring grid reliability. By investing in innovative storage technologies, SRP is positioning itself to better manage energy demand fluctuations and enhance the sustainability of its power system. This move also reflects broader trends in the energy sector towards increasing reliance on renewable energy and storage solutions to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security.

What's Next?

Design and manufacturing for the battery project are set to begin in 2026, with SRP and ESS collaborating with the Electric Power Research Institute to monitor performance data. As SRP continues to expand its energy storage capacity, it may explore additional partnerships and technologies to further enhance its grid capabilities. The success of this pilot project could lead to more widespread adoption of iron flow batteries and similar technologies across the energy sector, potentially influencing energy storage strategies nationwide.